CARLTON is a team that still has high hopes of playing in September; Port Adelaide has long given up on season 2008. In that simple fact lies most of the difference between these two teams yesterday.

The Blues, with their season alive, were never going to give away four points to a team that played in last year's grand final but which this year is languishing close to the bottom of the ladder.

The Blues controlled yesterday's match at Telstra Dome from the opening bounce. Their dominance was never challenged and despite the fact that Port is playing with a depleted list — missing stars including Warren Tredrea, Chad Cornes and leading kick-getter Steven Salopek — coach Mark Williams would have been shattered by the lack of effort and pressure from young players who should be eyeing an opportunity to create a reputation.

Carlton has come out of the misery of recent years with a young team that is going places. Led by their brilliant captain Chris Judd, the Blues dominated every aspect of a lopsided contest to defeat Port Adelaide by 66 points.

There were plenty of positives for Carlton. It has, for too long, been seen as a one-man band in the forward line and although spearhead Brendan Fevola kicked four goals, he had limited influence on the match, with many of the Blues' scoring opportunities generated by their powerful midfield.

Port Adelaide ruck duo Dean Brogan and Fabian Deluca dominated the hit-outs (41-21), but the Power midfield could not take advantage. Judd, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy won the battle for the all-important clearances decisively, smashing Port Adelaide around the ground.

Despite attempting to flood Carlton's forward line — at time the Power had as few as two players in attack — Port Adelaide could not shut down Carlton's avenues to goal. Early, Blues' forwards like Fevola, Brad Fisher and Matthew Kreuzer were given too much space. The problem for the Blues was they did not make Port Adelaide pay for their lack of pressure and had returned just 4.7 by the first break.

In the opening quarter, Carlton had 16 entries into its forward zone to Port Adelaide's eight; by the end of the match that statistic had blown out to 72-38, but still the Blues were hurt by their inaccuracy in the first three quarters.

Coach Brett Ratten made mention of this after the game, suggesting more goalkicking practice would be in order this week. Although it had no bearing on the match, the issue could become more vital with important games against North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn to come.

Andrew Walker, making an impressive comeback from a serious shoulder injury, kicked the opening goal and sent the Blues on their way. Judd was being tagged by Kane Cornes and Nick Stevens by Tom Logan, but neither was able to stop Carlton's big guns from having an impact. Shaun Grigg had an outstanding opening quarter sweeping across the midfield, launching Carlton into early attacks and Jarrad Waite, allowed to settle in defence, was outstanding as the rock of the Blues' backline.

By quarter-time, after two goals to Walker and contributions from Kreuzer and Grigg, Carlton had established a 21-point lead. The Blues had taken advantage of Port's indecision and some dreadful turnovers as the Power, constricted for space, tried to move the ball sideways rather than attacking their own goal.

From that point Carlton marched away, increasing its margin at every change. Judd became more and more influential as the match wore on. The highlight was his final goal for the day, late into time-on in the final quarter.

After winning the clearance in the centre, Judd just kept running forward, showing the pace that has made him the most dangerous player in the competition. A quick series of handballs and a lightning pass from Walker ended up with Judd running through the 50-metre arc and into an open goal. It was classic Judd.

Port Adelaide, already stretched, had no answer to that kind of talent.

CARLTON 4.7 8.16 12.22 18.24 (132)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 2.5 5.8 9.12 (66)

GOALS Carlton: Fevola 4, Walker 3, Fisher 2, Kreuzer 2, Cloke, Gibbs, Grigg, Judd, Scotland, Simpson, Stevens. Port Adelaide: White 3, Brogan, K Cornes, Ebert, Motlop, Salter, J Westhoff

BEST Carlton: Judd, Gibbs, Murphy, Carrazzo, Waite, Grigg, Walker. Port Adelaide: P Burgoyne, S Burgoyne, Brogan, White.

INJURIES Carlton: Betts (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Hampson. Port Adelaide: Boak (hip) replaced in selected side by Williams.

UMPIRES K Nicholls, McInerney, Mollison.

CROWD 29,696 at Telstra Dome.

THE UPSHOT The Blues are still alive in the race for September action. Despite wasting opportunities in front of goal yesterday, Carlton's big win had the extra advantage of bolstering its percentage from a poor 95.74 to 99.28 closing in on its rivals for the eighth spot, where percentage could be vital.

TALKING POINT Andrew Walker was a highly rated junior whose early days at Carlton have been hampered by injury. Yesterday was just his fourth game for the season after returning from a serious shoulder injury. It has improved in each game and is starting to live up to his potential. The Blues are starting to add some depth to their team.

HOT AND COLD The Blues midfield was sensational yesterday with plenty of contributors right across the board. Even though the Power won the hit-outs 42-21, the Blues dominated clearances 43-19 with Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs sensational at grabbing the ball from the hit-outs. With the addition of Judd and their young talent, the Blues are building a formidable midfield for the future. Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop had a dog of a day. He had few opportunities while in the forward line but even as he tried to move into the action things didn't go well for the usually brilliant forward. He looked frustrated by the day and well below par by his own standards.