CARLTON’s emerging star Charlie Curnow has hurt a knee and Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts might have broken an ankle in the Power’s 16-point AFL win.
Watts was taken off Adelaide Oval on a stretcher on Saturday evening after his right leg was trapped awkwardly in a tackle in his side’s 13.10 (88) to 11.6 (72) victory.
Carlton’s Curnow hobbled off in the first quarter – he damaged his right knee while attempting to change direction and couldn’t return.
And the Power also lost utility Karl Amon to a game-ending knee injury in the opening quarter.
The injuries came as the Blues were gallant in defeat but ultimately paid a hefty price for a second-term slumber.
After leading by one goal at quarter-time, Carlton mustered just two behinds in the second stanza as the Power piled on four unanswered goals for a 19-point halftime advantage.
That lead rapidly disappeared in the third quarter as Carlton rallied with four- consecutive goals – including two from recruit Mitch McGovern – to hit the front.
But Port’s impressive newcomer Zak Butters goaled late to give the home side a three-point buffer at the last change.
The Power, before 41,522 spectators, made the perfect start only 20 seconds into the final quarter when Brad Ebert soccered his third goal.
But, after Watts’ injury, it wasn’t until two late goals from Steven Motlop (three for the match) that the Power finally shook off Carlton.
The Power’s Tom Rockliff amassed a game-high 37 disposals, former skipper Travis Boak (33 possessions, nine tackles) was brilliant and ruck recruit Scott Lycett had 25 disposals and 34 hit-outs.
The winless Blues were served superbly by co-captain Patrick Cripps, who had 32 disposals, 12 clearances and seven tackles.
McGovern and forward partner Harry McKay kicked two goals apiece and backman Jacob Weitering expertly shut down Port’s milestone man Justin Westhoff.
Westhoff, in his 250th AFL game, was held goalless after kicking five majors in Port’s opening-round triumph against Melbourne.
© AAP 2019
PORT ADELAIDE 4.2 8.5 9.8 13.10 (88)
CARLTON 5.2 5.4 9.5 11.6 (72)
Goals: Port Adelaide: B Ebert 3 S Motlop 3 C Rozee 2 S Powell-Pepper 2 R Gray S Lycett Z Butters. Carlton: H McKay 2 M McGovern 2 A Fasolo C Polson E Curnow K Simpson P Dow S Petrevski-Seton W Setterfield.
Best: Port Adelaide: T Boak T Rockliff D Byrne-Jones B Ebert S Lycett S Powell-Pepper. Carlton: P Cripps J Weitering P Dow M Murphy M Gibbons.
Injuries: Port Adelaide: J Watts (suspected broken leg) K Amon (knee). Carlton: C Curnow (jarred knee).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Leigh Haussen, David Harris.
Official Crowd: 41,552 at Adelaide Oval.
