Carlton has proven their bona fides as a top four team, taking down Port Adelaide on the road by 36 points.
They led for most of the night in a back-and-forth scrap, before blowing the Power out in the fourth term, kicking seven goals from stoppages led by Patrick Cripps and Tom De Koning.
Thursday night felt like a good test for both teams. Port Adelaide crumbled when the pressure mounted and Carlton rose above.
It’s a hoodoo breaking win for the Blues, their first ever win at Adelaide Oval against a South Australian side.
See our grades for every player below.
Port Adelaide
Mitch Georgiades – A
Clearly Port Adelaide’s most dangerous key forward tonight. Stood up while Dixon and Marshall struggled.
Jason Horne-Francis – A
While Butters was reasonably well held, Horne-Francis did as he pleased and had too much acceleration for Carlton’s on-ballers.
Aliir Aliir – A-
While Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher looked scratchy at stages, Aliir Aliir consistently won his contests and provided some rebound as well. Great game.
Ollie Wines – B+
Continues to excel as a pure on-baller in the absence of Connor Rozee. A great asset for the Power to have depth wise.
Jackson Mead – B+
An excellent performance from Mead who continues to grow as a midfielder this season.
Ivan Soldo – B
Certainly no signs of rust for Soldo after his injury. Had a big impact in the middle in what was a fascinating ruck dual… just no kicking short in the backline ever again please.
Travis Boak – B
Still capable of injecting a bit of class when the Power need it. A few great kicks inside 50.
Jase Burgoyne – B
Has all the makings of a classy wingman, despite his slim stature. Already an elite kick. Kicked the first goal of the game and setup another early.
Miles Bergman – B
Provided some run and held up defensively when needed.
Zak Butters – B
Well held by Cincotta. Barely seen in the fourth term when Carlton pushed away. A tough night for the superstar.
Willem Drew – B
A better kick than he gets credit for. Drew was excellent for three quarters, but went missing in the fourth term when the Blues got on top.
Dan Houston – B
Had a strong second half, but was quiet early and didn’t provide a whole heap of run and carry off half back.
Lachie Jones – C+
Esava Ratugolea – C
Wrestled with Charlie Curnow all night and had his moments, but few can quell Charlie across four quarters.
Darcy Byrne-Jones – C
Has kicked some goals this year, but is he a small forward in a contending team?
Francis Evans – C
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher – C-
Kane Farrell – C-
A quiet night for the quality ball user. The Power needed more from him.
Ryan Burton – C-
Todd Marshall – D+
Kicked a goal late, but was very quiet all night. It’s all well and good to kick five on North, but this was a big test.
Jed McEntee – D
Charlie Dixon – D
No impact for big Charlie tonight. Subbed out in the third term after a quiet night.
Jeremy Finlayson – N/A
Subbed on late in the third term for Charlie Dixon.
Carlton
Tom De Koning – A+
A second straight A for Tom De Koning playing as the sole ruckman. Carlton’s dominant fourth quarter stretch was largely on the back of his ruck work. His first half was also excellent. Stick with this, Carlton.
Patrick Cripps A+
Can you get an A+ on one quarter alone? Patrick Cripps had been fine for three quarters, but two goals and some clean contest wins in the fourth term helped put his team in a commanding position.
Sam Walsh – A
Clearly got a rev up from Michael Voss at half time after some poor decisions going inside 50. He was huge in the second half, particularly on the inside and with his tackling.
Charlie Curnow – A
The best forward in the game. There’s no doubt about it. Stood up when it mattered for the Blues. Took big marks, kicked his goals and even set up a few.
Nic Newman – A
Came second in the best and fairest last year, but having another excellent season as the general across half back.
Brodie Kemp – A-
Kicked a rare goal and absolutely held up his end down back. Growing into a reliable key defender.
Alex Cincotta – A-
Was given the assignment of tagging Zak Butters and couldn’t have done much more. Butters still found some footy, but was mostly restricted from impact on the outside of stoppages. Kicked a goal late himself.
Jacob Weitering – B+
Put Charlie Dixon to sleep and wasn’t beaten one-on-one.
Blake Acres – B+
Particularly big in the fourth quarter with his run. Kicked what was arguably the sealer too.
Harry McKay – B+
Putting together a career-best season, Harry. Another four-quarter effort tonight and makes the most of his time in the ruck.
Zac Williams – B+
Looks great as a reinvented forward. Not applying a huge amount of pressure necessarily, but his ball-use is handy and he’s proving a genuine goal kicker.
Elijah Hollands – B
Growing as the year goes on. Carlton trusts him more on-ball week after week. Going to be a serious player.
Adam Saad – B
Has played his role nicely since returning, without being spectacular offensively.
George Hewett – C+
Two goal assists for Hewett interestingly, but his lack of pace at centre bounces has been exposed a few times this year.
Lachlan Cowan – C+
Jordan Boyd – C+
Carlton needs to get the ball in his hands more given his elite ball use. Used it well, but doesn’t get enough of it.
Oliver Hollands – C+
Lachie Fogarty – C+
Carlton is now 16-2 in games Lachie Fogarty has played since the start of 2023. Make of that what you want!
Mitch McGovern – C
Quiet night for McGovern, but a few big moments in the fourth term. Kicked a goal and took a big intercept mark.
Matthew Kennedy – C
Played the third tall forward role for most of the night. Not a role at Carlton that lends itself to filling the stat sheet.
Matthew Owies – D+
Orazio Fantasia – D
Didn’t make the most of his limited opportunities against his old side.
Jack Carroll – N/A
Subbed on in the fourth term.