Port Adelaide have put a dampener on Kade Simpson’s 300th AFL match celebrations with a 21-point win over Carlton at the MCG.
The brave Blues trailed by just two points at three-quarter time but the Power booted the first four goals of the final term to claim a hard-fought 13.12 (90) to 10.9 (69) win on Saturday.
In their first visit to the ‘G this season, Port weren’t at their best but strengthened their claims on a top-four finish, improving to a 10-4 record in front of 26,562 fans.
Robbie Gray wasn’t right at the top of his game but kicked three classy goals, Tom Rockliff amassed a team-high 28 possessions with Chad Wingard (24 touches and two goals) also influential.
Simpson became the fifth Blue to reach the 300-game mark and the 34-year-old starred with 37 disposals in his milestone match.
In his first game since suffering a foot injury in round nine, skipper Marc Murphy caught the eye with 27 possessions, with Patrick Cripps (32 possessions) typically strong at the stoppages.
Charlie Curnow enhanced his growing reputation as the next big thing in the AFL world with four goals and nine marks.
The young star kicked three majors in the first term as the Blues leapt out to a six-point lead at the first break.
Gray imposed himself on the contest in the second as the Power slammed through five goals in a row.
The champion forward booted two goals as the visitors wrested control to lead by 19 points at halftime.
With the Blues on the ropes, the top-four aspirants appeared well on their way to their 10th win of the season but Simpson, Cripps, Murphy and the Curnow boys led a withering third-quarter fightback.
The Power were held scoreless in a quarter for the first time this season, with Carlton kicking the only two goals of the term to trail by two points.
But an opportunist goal from Steve Motlop sparked the pivotal last-quarter surge that sealed the points for Ken Hinkley’s men.
Port will host St Kilda at Adelaide Oval in round 16, while the Blues take on Brisbane at the Gabba.