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AAP
AAP
Sport
Roger Vaughan

Carlton surge halts Port's record winning streak

Jesse Motlop (c) made the most of his late inclusion for Carlton as they toppled Port Adelaide. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Carlton have enjoyed their best win this AFL season, stopping dead Port Adelaide's club-record winning streak with a 50-point belting at Marvel Stadium.

Jesse Motlop was the unlikely firestarter with four first-half goals and Charlie Curnow was outstanding as the Blues led from the start on Saturday for a convincing 18.14 (122) to 10.12 (72) win.

It is Carlton's fourth-straight win to continue the resurgence that has put them back in finals contention, while second-placed Port end their winning run at 13 games.

The Blues won easily despite key forward Harry McKay leaving the game in the first quarter with a leg injury.

Only minutes before the opening bounce of the twilight game, Matthew Owies also dropped out of the Carlton side and Motlop took his place.

The small forward grabbed his opportunity with relish and lit up Marvel Stadium as the Blues took control.

Jack Silvagni also starred with four goals for the Blues, while Curnow was a shining light with a game-high 11 marks and three goals despite a strong game from Port key defender Aliir Aliir.

The Power were vulnerable, given their seven omissions featured top players such as Jason Horne-Francis and Charlie Dixon.

But it is still a major scalp for the Blues and their slump, when they went 1-8 from rounds five to 13, is now just a bad memory.

Carlton also kicked their second-highest score this season.

There was a lot to like about the Blues, who showed no obvious weaknesses and will probably end round 18 in ninth spot.

Despite continued strong form from Dan Houston and Connor Rozee, the Power never looked like pegging back Carlton's hot start to the game.

While most of the key team statistics were even, Carlton dominated throughout.

Houston was prolific off half-back, racking up a game-high 41 possessions.

Silvagni kicked the first two goals of the game and Carlton had the first six scoring shots to put the early pressure on Port.

A wasteful 3.6 for the opening term kept the game tighter than it should have been, before the Blues took control for good with six goals to two in the second term for a 31-point lead at the main break.

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