Carlton crush Port as McKay runs riot up forward
With Michael Voss' future as coach secure into next year, the Blues raced out of the blocks at Marvel Stadium on Saturday with their best first half of the season - 13.5 to lead by 55 points at the main break.
Carlton were never threatened by a lacklustre Port in Ken Hinkley's penultimate game as Power coach, kicking the first six goals in just 10 minutes on their way to a dominant 18.10 (118) to 9.10 (64) win.
After finishing off strongly in last week's defeat to Gold Coast with a blistering final term, the Blues again played more like the finals team of 2023 and 2024 than the strugglers of 2025.
Star Blues forward McKay was back to his best, booting four first-half goals in a commanding and confident display.
McKay finished with seven, his best return in a game since his Coleman Medal season of 2021, after battling injuries and mental ill health this year.
But the dominance started from the Blues' midfield, winning clearances 30-10 in the first half, including a staggering 16-3 from the centre.
The return of star midfielder Sam Walsh was profound, playing his first game since round 13 after battling a foot injury.
Tom De Koning, who is expected to accept a monster contract from St Kilda in the trade period, was immense back in the ruck.
Carlton had been using De Koning up forward and as a second ruck option for large parts of this season, but he has shown the last two weeks he is best suited to the middle.
Preliminary finalists last year, Port have been crawling to the end of the home-and-away season.
It was hard to find any winners for them against the Blues, but rookie forward Jack Whitlock showed promise with the first three goals of his career.
Port will be desperate to put in a better showing next Friday night when they farewell Hinkley and club legend Travis Boak when they host Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Bowers, Miller shine as Dockers power away from Port
Tackling machine Kiara Bowers made a stunning AFLW return and Hayley Miller kicked three goals as Fremantle posted a hard-fought 22-point win over Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval. The margin was just five points in favour of Fremantle early in the final quarter after Port forward Katelyn Pope shook off two tacklers to kick truly. Whether Fremantle could hold on against the breeze was a huge question, but they needn't have worried. Miller caught Shineah Goody holding the ball close to goal to extend the margin back out to 11, before Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster tumble-turned her way free of a tackler before popping up to kick another. Sunday's 7.4 (46) to 3.6 (24) win was sealed when Miller kicked her third goal late in the match, sparking celebrations among the Dockers. Bowers missed all of last season due to pregnancy, but it was like she never left as she compiled 22 disposals, six clearances and 14 tackles as she celebrated her 50-game milestone in style. Gabby Newton (22 disposals) was also huge in what was also her 50th game, while captain Angelique Stannett kicked two goals in her return from a knee reconstruction. Stannett's leadership was on full display in the third quarter when she pulled off three consecutive smothers. "That is the reason she's the skipper. She's amazing," Bowers told Fox Footy. "I love these girls, and I loved watching them win last year, but it's definitely nice to be out here with them. "This group is special, and hopefully I keep winning with them." Port ruck Matilda Scholz (25 hitouts, seven clearances, 12 disposals) won her tap duel against All-Australian Mim Strom (16 hitouts, two clearances, 17 disposals). Justine Mules-Robinson kicked two goals for the Power. Port were dealt a blow late in the first quarter when Amelie Borg suffered a game-ending injury to her left ankle, with the defender seen on crutches a short time later. Fremantle forward Tunisha Kikoak was concussed in the second quarter after copping a heavy hit in a marking contest. The Dockers made a flying start to the match courtesy of goals to former skipper Miller and current captain Stannett. The second quarter lit up when Port's Goody delivered a huge bump on Sarah Verrier. Verrier popped straight back up to gain her revenge, and a heated wrestle soon followed. Fremantle opened up a 17-point lead early in the third term when Megan Kauffman snapped truly. But with Scholz giving Port's midfielders silver-spoon service, the home side closed to within a kick early in the final quarter, before Miller and company brutally slammed the door shut.
ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Ash Centra's tricky bounce prompts imitators across the AFL world
Number one draft pick Ash Centra took a stunning mark that led to her first goal with her first kick in AFLW on Thursday night. And a second of pre-game footage has already made her a star across the sport. The rookie was just farting around with the footy in Collingwood's warm-up before their season-opening loss to Carlton at Princes Park when she introduced us all to a brand new move. The 19-year-old scooped up the ball while jogging, threaded it behind her back, and bounced it through her legs while managing to have it hit her perfectly in stride. It was the sort of move that looks impressive when Stephen Curry does it with a basketball on a hardcourt, but seeing someone pull it off so casually with the Sherrin on grass makes you double-take, questioning if your eyes are playing tricks on you. Perhaps it was shameless aura-farming from the Gippsland junior, but the nonchalant manner in which she executed it suggested she's done it a million times before. It was clearly a brand new move to the men's league too, with the blokes battling to emulate it. AFLM superstar Nick Daicos was among her male Magpie counterparts who battled to control it in the sheds: Hawks coach and legendary midfielder Sam Mitchell had a decent crack while standing still, although there were a few fumbles on the cutting room floor by the Hawthorn social crew: The North Melbourne boys gave it a college try before getting camera shy: A few Saints had a go, with mixed results: But perhaps the best cover version goes to Carlton's Ashton Moir. Not only did he do it at jogging pace on grass, including the pick-up off the ground, he added in a lovely checkside goal and did it all in Sambas. You would be risking an all-time bake from your coach if you ever tried it in a game, but at footy ovals all around the country, you'll see adults, kids and anyone with a ball literally falling over themselves to try and execute what will forever be known as The Centra Bounce.
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Carlton's seven-goal hero Harry McKay praises ‘freak' teammate Sam Walsh after big win over Port Adelaide
Carlton spearhead Harry McKay has praised returning star Sam Walsh after the pair starred in the Blues' huge win over Port Adelaide on Saturday. The Blues exploded with the first six goals of the game and were never really troubled on their way to the 18.10 (118) to 9.10 (64) result. McKay, who took time away from football earlier this year to deal with mental health problems, was the highlight of the lacklustre game with his bag of seven goals. The Coleman medallist was playing with a smile on his face as helped himself to seven straight, as well as racking up a career-high 21 disposals, 15 score involvements and six marks. The seven-goal haul matches his previous best against Fremantle in 2021, the same season he won the Coleman Medal. Walsh, playing his first game since Round 14, racked up 28 disposals in limited game time. The gun midfielder had been sidelined with a foot injury, but showed no signs of rust in his return. McKay labelled his teammate a 'freak' with his workrate. 'He is a freak. What a man. The energy he brings, the way he goes at the ball, his ferocity is unbelievable,' McKay said. 'So glad he is back, the fact he wants to come back and play two games just sums him up.' Walsh was delighted to be back and never really considered not returning. 'It's great to be back, for the boys to be able to play like that, I sort of have sensed it's been coming the past couple of weeks so I might have timed my run well coming back into the team. You just can't beat being out here,' he told Fox Footy. 'There's no doubt it's been a bloody tough year, all you want to do is finish off the season with a bit of momentum to take that into next year. 'Feeling really good ... I had people probably telling me to not come back and just rest and get ready for pre-season, but if my body is right then I'm going to be going. There's no doubt it's been a challenging couple of years for me but I'm going to back my work in and go from there.' With Michael Voss' future as coach secure into next year, the Blues raced out of the blocks at Marvel Stadium on Saturday with their best first half of the season - 13.5 to lead by 55 points at the main break. After finishing off strongly in last week's defeat to Gold Coast with a blistering final term, the Blues again played more like the finals team of 2023 and 2024 than the strugglers of 2025. Tom De Koning, who is expected to accept a monster contract from St Kilda in the trade period, was immense back in the ruck. Carlton had been using De Koning up forward and as a second ruck option for large parts of this season, but he has shown the last two weeks he is best suited to the middle. Preliminary finalists last year, Port have been crawling to the end of the home-and-away season in Ken Hinkley's last season in charge. It was hard to find any winners for them against the Blues, but rookie forward Jack Whitlock showed promise with the first three goals of his career. Port will be desperate to put in a better showing next Friday night when they farewell Hinkley and club legend Travis Boak when they host Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval.
