Gus fish and chip shop mystery solved

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THE great Phillip Ronald Gould fish and chip shop mystery has been solved.

The Panthers general manager and Channel Nine commentator took to Twitter on Monday to explain why he wasn't watching Penrith on TV against Melbourne Storm.

The Sunday Telegraph spotted the great man at Port Hacking Seafoods while his team was involved in a nail-biter.

Phil Gould in the commentary box with a carton of hot chips in front of him. Source: News Limited

"Fierce electrical storm caused blackout in my suburb approx 5pm Saturday," Gus tweeted.

"No TV, so I followed 5.30pm Panther game on ABC radio with great David Morrow.

"Unable to cook evening meal, approx 6.30pm wife asked me to get dinner for kids. She must be obeyed.

"Found fish shop with power to cook. Followed scores on mobile. Nail-biting.

"Thankfully power restored while I was gone. Finally got to watch Panther replay Sunday morning before flying to Gold Coast.

"Panthers were great. Hope mystery now solved."

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What you missed on TV last night

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DID you miss last night's AFL television shows? Rewind and catch up on all the hot topics and big issues discussed.

AFL 360

* Gerard Whateley says he's never seen a bloke grow into his career in one night the way Port Adelaide recruit Jared Polec did against Carlton. "From what he showed (on Sunday night), he's a potential top-liner." Whateley says fellow ex-Lion Elliot Yeo could have a similar impact at the Eagles.

POLEC MAKES PORT PACE SCARY

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* Vision of Giants coach Leon Cameron's post-game speech to his young side is shown. The new coach told his troops to look after themselves and enjoy the night and embrace the club and the atmosphere.

* Whateley says " By the time you went to bed on Saturday night you knew how hard it was going to be for any team to win on the Gold Coast this year," following Richmond's surprise loss to the Suns.

EX-BOMBER'S HEALTH FEARS

* Mark Robinson says Collingwood was trounced by the Dockers on Friday night. "By a harder, bigger, professional football club. Collingwood are small, Collingwood are slow. They're a mid-table side, they don't have the weapons to be top-four." Read more from Robbo HERE

* GW: "It was a humbling experience for the Sydney Swans. It doesn't mean everything, but it has to mean something. What were they doing with Ryan O'Keefe? It's not the Sydney way," he says, reflecting on how the Norm Smith Medallist was dumped before winning a late reprieve and starting as the substitute.

ANALYSIS: THREE HEARTLAND CLUBS FAILING

* Robbo reiterates his line from The Tackle, that Richmond took a knife to a gun fight. "Put (Jack Riewoldt) in the square, because Tyrone Vickery isn't doing it. They went to Jack three times!"

* Robbo questions whether Vickery is enjoying AFL footy. "Does he really want to play?" he asks. Robbo says he's the second most interesting person at Richmond, behind Riewoldt.

Vickery is tackled in the Round 1 loss. Source: Getty Images

* Whateley says there are the same old questions around Carlton. Robbo says the Blues had momentum for periods of the game but couldn't convert against the Power.

POWERBROKER: BLUES RECRUITING EMBARRASSING

* Whateley says he's "totally cool" with Andrew Walker's one-week suspension. "It's a good ruling."

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* New Melbourne coach Paul Roos confirms Mitch Clark is likely to be placed on the long-term injury list on Tuesday.

* Roos says: "Footy's irrelevant at the moment, it's about getting him healthy, getting him in a good place and hopefully he's back at the footy club as soon as he can. But we haven't really got a time frame on that."

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* Roos says you've got to have a big tank and be a natural runner to play modern footy. "Teams are a lot fitter this year,' he says. "What you will find, there's going to be players that won't be able to play the game anymore because they haven't got the natural tank. And that's the reality."

* Essendon coach Mark Thompson agrees, saying: "A lot of the elite decision makers are slow blokes, and now you can't be slow."

* Bomber Thompson says Marty Gleeson, Zach Merrett and Jason Ashby are in the mix to debut on Friday night. Roos says Jay Kennedy-Harris and Alexis Georgiou are in the frame to play their first game for the Dees. (From a SuperCoach perspective, Bomber didn't mention popular ruck choice Fraser Thurlow.)

Jay Kennedy-Harris is in the Round 1 frame. Source: News Limited

ON THE COUCH

* Asked which expansion club he'd rather coach, Mike Sheahan says: "I wouldn't be unhappy with either but if I had to pick one, I'd take GWS."

* Jason Dunstall says the Giants have better key-position strength, which is harder to come by.

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* Sheahan says the Giants should be thinking about a 3-0 start with St Kilda and Melbourne to come.

* Gerard Healy says an element of success for GWS will be how many people in the stands there are with orange shirts on. Dunstall reveals the Giants only need a home crowd of 7000 to break even. "If they can start pulling 17,000 they'll be financially viable."

The Giants celebrate their win. Source: Getty Images

* Sheahan says Aaron Sandilands is almost the most important player in the competition. Dunstall says Fremantle is "scary good".

* Healy says Ballantyne produced good footy in his first chance under the microscope. He says Ballantyne's poor Grand Final wasn't through a lack of effort, he just missed some shots at goal.

* Healy says a senior assistant coach told him the low rotation numbers from Round 1 were on the back of clubs banking a few early and getting their arithmetic a bit wrong. A cap of 120 was introduced this season.

SURPRISE AMOUNT OF ROUND 1 ROTATIONS

* Western Bulldogs superstar Rob Murphy says he feels as fit as he ever has and will play game No. 250 against West Coast on Sunday.

* Murphy says he's enjoyed his footy since the Dogs' upwards spiral began halfway through last year. "As a playing group we embraced Brendan (McCartney's) vision right from the start, so I was always confident (the wins would come)."

* Griffen says he's keen to see how young stars Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore develop. He says No. 6 pick's Jack Macrae always had the ability to win the ball and evasive skills, but he's added tackling to his game. "He's an impressive young man."

* Sheahan says Ryan O'Keefe has to play himself out of the Swans side, despite Sydney dropping the star due to concerns over his pace. He won a late reprieve and started as the sub, but Sheahan was "amazed" at that decision.

OPEN MIKE

* Disgraced former AFL player agent Ricky Nixon tells Mike he was addicted to cocaine. He also revealed he was still haunted by the death of star commentator Clinton Grybas.

Read the full report HERE

Ricky Nixon on Open Mike. Source: Supplied

TALKING FOOTY

* Wayne Carey reiterated his belief Jeremy Cameron was more valuable than Gary Ablett and said the GWS goalkicker would become the "best forward of all time".

* "We'll have a look at his stats later, and I reckon you'll see he's a long way ahead of everybody," Carey said. Cameron has kicked 95 goals in his first 38 games, a long way ahead of greats such as Dermott Brereton (64 goals), Carey (64) and Jonathan Brown (43).

* Tim Watson wondered why Carlton chased Dale Thomas, asking if the Blues needed a Thomas-type midfielder. "Did they need a key forward or key defender more?" he said.

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* Carey and Watson questioned Tiger coach Damien Hardwick's use of Jack Riewoldt after the loss to the Gold Coast Suns. "He wears his heart on his sleeve, Jack. We saw some of the strangest kicks from him when he should have been going back and taking shots for goal," Watson said.

* Carey said: "Jack Riewoldt hasn't handled criticism well in the media, so for Hardwick to come out and say that is a big statement."

* Carey called for the return of the Carlton-Richmond blockbuster to commence the season. "The start of the season has fallen flat," he said. "We expected a bigger crowd on Friday night. I was a big fan of the Richmond-Carlton opener. I thought that kicked the season off with a big bang."

FOOTY CLASSIFIED

* Matthew Lloyd says the Blues are in no man's land. He says their list is in the same bracket as Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong but they are years off success.

* Lloyd says Matthew Watson needs to stand up and take on the big forwards. He says they poached Dale Thomas to aid captain Marc Murphy, adding the ex-Pie will be a good player for Carlton.

POWERBROKER: BLUES RECRUITING EMBARRASSING

* Lloyd says he "100 per cent" believes Buddy Franklin's best footy is behind him. "Especially as a key forward, you're past your best at 28. I don't think he's played his best footy since 2008."

* Garry Lyon says if Power spearhead John Butcher can't correct his shonky kicking style he'll jeapordise his place in the side. Lloyd says as a teammate you lose confidence in a player when they continually butcher easy shots.

* Lyon says Fremantle goliath Aaron Sandilands can win the Brownlow Medal if he stays fit, following the ruckman's best-afield effort against the Magpies.

Brodie Grundy was beaten by Aaron Sandilands. Source: News Corp Australia

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‘Toughest month I’ve ever experienced’

Ben Tudhope in action for Australia. Source: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

AUSTRALIAN Paralympic chiefs admit their winter team failed in its goal of winning a gold medal in Sochi but say two bronze medals felt just as good after athletes and officials endured the toughest campaign they can remember.

Australia finished 19th on the medal table and only just reached their expected pass mark of claiming 2-5 medals.

It was more medals than Switzerland, The Netherlands and New Zealand, but still behind Great Britain (six), Belarus (three), Norway and Sweden (four), and not even in the same ballpark as host nation Russia (80).

But after the heavy emotional and physical toll the team endured in the lead up to the Games, then the mounting pressure they sweated under throughout, chief executive Jason Hellwig and chef de mission Chris Nunn said they would return home a proud and happy team.

The emotional toll started with the death of their snowboarding teammate Matthew Robinson after a race crash in Spain just a month before the Games.

It continued when flagbearer Cameron Rahles-Rahbula crashed out during training two days before the opening ceremony in Sochi, and when Melissa Perrine was disqualified from a near certain medal for using illegal equipment.

There were more crashes and mistakes in competition, then snowboarder Joany Badenhorst dislocated her knee in the warm-up of her one and only event and was taken to hospital.

"The 72 hours before Toby (Kane) won his bronze medal were the toughest 72 hours I've seen a team go through as the pressure builds," Hellwig said. "On top of I think, the toughest month I've ever seen a team go through.

"We came in under the most difficult circumstances I've ever seen a team come into a major Games to, we made a blue as a team with Mel when she was in gold medal contention and we had some things that didn't go our way.

"But that team stayed together and everyone kept doing their jobs, they found a way to keep smiling and stay focused and then that result came and it was the most wonderful release.

"The one thing we wanted to achieve was a gold medal and we didn't, so that's disappointing.

"Two medals is the bottom end of our range, we wanted to win 2-5, but they were two of the most rewarding medals I've been involved in."

Australian flagbearer Ben Tudhope was the shining light of our Paralympic campaign. Source: Getty Images

Kane and Gallagher won the medals, but the ray of sunshine the team so desperately needed came in the form of a 14-year-old snowboarder with cerebral palsy named Ben Tudhope.

Tudhope's top-10 finish in a 33-man field was as good as a gold medal and he was a perfect choice to carry the Australian flag in Sunday night's closing ceremony.

But the revelation of Tudhope aside, Hellwig does not hide from the fact that based on pre-Games expectations and potential, the team didn't deliver as hoped.

He still believes the team returned great "value for money" for government investment, but said he would continue lobbying for more funding - as tough as that might be - after a $200,000 shortfall in getting the team to Sochi.

"We don't have a God-given right to a cent from anybody, we've got to go and earn it by the way we perform, the way we conduct our business and the way our athletes conduct themselves," he said.

"Australians expect their teams to go well and have some success and we don't shirk that responsibility."

That's why planning for South Korea in 2018 started six months ago when the team hired its first ever high performance manager Pim Berkhout from The Netherlands.

With the retirement of Kane and Rahles-Rahbula and uncertainty surrounding Mitch Gourley's skiing future, Berkhout has been charged with finding a way of attracting new athletes to the program and fast-tracking their development.

He will consider targeting athletes from wheelchair summer sports and expanding the winter program into more than just alpine skiing.

"We planned for Korea months ago, he's (Berkhout) been here to observe and see where the gaps are and opportunities exist," Nunn said.

"This is my seventh Games and it's the first time we've had a plan leaving the Games and not said, 'Let's talk about this when we get home.'"

In the very least, Nunn expects interest to boom in the para-snowboarding program after Tudhope announced his arrival as a star of the future.

"Every time a new sport turns up at a Paralympic Games, the following four years it goes nuts," Nunn said.

"It is a sexy sport that's different to alpine, there's music blaring, these guys are different to the alpine guys, and kids are going to be attracted to it.

"We see the number of kids who are snowboarding in Australia, all we've got to do is find a few more Bennies and we're away.

"We couldn't have a better ambassador for the sport right now. People will want to take up snowboarding because of Ben Tudhope, I know that for a fact."

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Brooks to be tested by Burgess boys

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HE is the most hyped rugby league rookie to emerge in years — but this Friday night little Luke Brooks will face his biggest test.

In just his fourth top grade game, the 19-year-old Wests Tigers protégé will tackle what is undoubtedly the most daunting challenge in the NRL that comes in the shape of the Burgess brothers.

Between them, big Sam, George and Luke weigh in at a combined 348kg, and no doubt the giant Rabbitohs will run out onto ANZ Stadium with the intention of making sure the 85kg playmaker never forgets his first Friday night NRL game that will be televised live on Channel Nine.

Asked if he expects Brooks to be targeted by the Rabbitohs' big men, Tigers coach Mick Potter said last night: "You will have to speak to Michael Maguire but you'd assume they will send some traffic at him".

South Sydney's Burgess brothers, George, Sam, Luke and Tom at Centennial Park.

But while careful not to put too much pressure on his young gun, Potter is confident Brooks has the right attitude to handle all the attention that is coming his way.

On and off the field.

"You get what you see with him," Potter said.

"He doesn't say much. He seems quite grounded.

"He has a good family behind him which is a steadying influence."

Already Brooks is being compared to the game's greatest ever player Andrew Johns and even rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis was blown away by the similarities when he watched Brooks star in the Tigers' win over the Titans on the Gold Coast last Sunday.

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Brooks was man of the match in his debut at the end of last season against St George Illawarra but was given a reality check in round one when he fronted up to the Dragons for the second time and missed 10 tackles in the 44-24 defeat.

But he bounced back against the Titans with a performance that had everyone believing that a very special talent has arrived at the Tigers.

As for the comparisons with Johns, Potter said he just hopes everyone gives the kid time to become his own man.

Brooks races through to touch the ball down in-goal after a kick from James Tedesco. Source: News Corp Australia

"He is progressing, we just need to be patient," Potter said.

"Everyone is mentioning other people's names.

"I'd rather him just be Luke Brooks and not compare him to anyone else.

"Just let him be his own player.

"He is three games into his NRL career.

"It is a different time for him compared to other players in the past.

"I don't think it is right comparing.

"It is not the same era, it is not the same defence, it is not the same attack.

Brooks (R) is congratulated by Braith Anasta after scoring against the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"I suppose what hasn't changed is the size of the field."

But the size of the players certainly has.

"That's right," Potter added, "and the athleticism of the guys has changed which makes it that much harder for the player's to cope.

"He has a lot more to come at him and he has to handle it the best way he can.

"I thought he had a real good response (after the round one loss to the Dragons) in round two.

"Everyone is after improvement all the time and I think he showed that (against the Gold Coast).

"This will be another challenge against Souths.

"It's a hard position to play week in, week out, but I think he quite enjoys the challenge."

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Another foundation club crashes

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THE AFL's foundation clubs have been left battered and bruised after Carlton crashed to a painful Round 1 defeat last night, badly overrun by Port Adelaide.

The Blues followed Collingwood and Richmond in succumbing to one of the AFL's newest clubs, setting up a critical clash against the Tigers in a fortnight at the MCG.

FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

MALTHOUSE: "DISMAL" LAST QUARTER

Just as Collingwood and Sydney will play at ANZ Stadium to try to avoid a 0-2 start, one of the cross-town archrivals in Richmond or Carlton will be winless after two rounds.

Mick Malthouse's Blues led by 24 points midway through the second term but gave up 13 of the last 17 goals in a 33-point defeat.

Jared Polec, Matt White, Jarman Impey and Tom Clurey of the Power celebrate their first win with the club Photo by Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

The last-term capitulation in which the Port kicked six straight goals for the second time in the match will make agonising viewing for Malthouse.

Carlton could take on the Tigers without key rebounder Andrew Walker, who was reported for a tackle on Angus Monfries and could face another charge for a late elbow on Justin Westhoff.

New recruits Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt kicked Carlton's first two goals, but the ex-Pie would finish with only 16 possessions and Everitt a dozen touches.

The Blues had no answer for the aerial dominance of Westhoff (5.0), Robbie Gray (4.1) or midfield wrecking ball Ollie Wines (28 touches, nine tackles).

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Mick Malthouse leaves the 3/4 time huddle. Pic by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues' structural issues were laid bare when Lachie Henderson was forced back onto a rampant Justin Westhoff.

It weakening what had seemed a formidable forward trio of Henderson, Jarrad Waite and Everitt early in the contest.

Yet the Blues still conceded a worrying 30 scoring shots from 47 inside 50s.

Andrew Walker collides with Justin Westhoff in the second term. Source: Supplied

Walker was reported for rough conduct for slinging Angus Monfries into the boundary-line fence in the last term.

He will also face match review panel heat for the late hit to Justin Westhoff in the second term.

He hit Westhoff late and with an elbow to his head as he crashed into the Port Adelaide forward, with Roos legend Wayne Carey noting on radio: "He has hit him high and late. I would say he has a case to answer."

Pies premiership captain Tony Shaw agreed: "That's a forearm hit. He is trying to spoil but his arm is bent. It will be looked at."

Dale Thomas kicks his first Carlton goal. Pic by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Former captain Chris Judd said on radio pre-match he had been running for a week after achilles surgery and planned to play in two or three weeks.

That would put him on track to take on Essendon in Round 3 on April 6, with key midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (calf) on a similar time line.

President Stephen Kernahan said yesterday the club would do what it took to retain free agent Bryce Gibbs.

"I'm sure (Adelaide have) been knocking on his door for a number of years. He's a really required player at this football club and Adelaide would want to have a lot of money to get him away from us. I think we're in the best position to keep him,'' he told Channel Nine.

The Power have a week off before a Showdown against Adelaide that is also the official opening of the Adelaide Oval for both clubs.

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Ricciardo stripped of podium finish

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DANIEL Ricciardo was last night stripped of becoming the first Australian to score a podium at the Australian Grand Prix with FIA stewards disqualifying him from the race in a midnight bombshell.

In an ugly aftermath to the best performance by an Australian at either Melbourne or former GP venue Adelaide, the nation's new sensation was a shattered man after learning his heroic and historic drive would be stricken from the record books.

FIA officials fronted the media soon before midnight and told them the new Red Bull Racing driver had been disqualified from the season-opening race for a fuel flow breach that saw the Australian exceed regulations.

HOW THE STEWARDS REACHED THEIR DECISION

Following a four-hour meeting prompted by claims the new V6 engine in the RB10 guzzled more than the 100kg/h allowed under the new Formula One rules, Ricciardo was sent from the penthouse to the outhouse with stewards dismissing a defence from Red Bull heavyweights Christian Horner and Adrian Newey.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner chats with Daniel Ricciardo in pitlane late last night as the situation deteriorates with the team found guilty of exceeding fuel regulations. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

The bombshell was dropped after Ricciardo became the Melbourne Messiah when he defied history by holding off a fast-finishing Kevin Magnussen.

The F1 paddock was sent into a frenzy about 8.30pm when an FIA official reported the team had breached official fuel flow regulations.

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer said Ricciardo's RB10 had "exceeded consistently the maximum allowed fuel flow of 100kg/h".

"As this is not in compliance with Article 5.1.4 of the 2014 Formula One Technical Regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration."

Cars are not allowed to consumed more than 100kg's of fuel an hour under new rules introduced this year with the introduction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo engine.

Daniel Ricciardo realises he's in for a restless night after being disqualified. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Ricciardo left the track about 11pm before knowing his fate and said he was proud of his effort regardless of the ruling after only Nico Rosberg and his red-hot Mercedes stopped Ricciardo from winning.

Regardless of the disqualification, Ricciardo's performance has assured his future in the sport.

The home crowd went wild as Ricciardo, 24, took his runner's up trophy following a stunning start the 2014 season, the roar reducing the winner's reception to a mere cheer.

Ricciardo is now our man, and he proved why he was given a seat next to world champion Sebastian Vettel in the all-conquering Red Bull Racing team.

"Wow…'' Ricciardo said.

"To be the first Aussie on the Aussie podium. I am just speechless. I'm tripping balls. This has been a remarkable turn around by the team from a few weeks ago and I am lost for words.''

Ricciardo was swamped on the line but blasted past Mercedes big gun and race favourite with a turn one lunge to steal second place.

In a difficult race with several struggling to survive with the new machinery, Riccardo hopelessly chased the flawless Rosberg, who proved uncatchable in his superior machinery after teammate Hamilton and Vettel bombed out.

Daniel Ricciardo celebrates with gusto his podium finish. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

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Ricciardo was forced to show all his fight, determination and skill in the closing stages of the race as McLaren rookie Magnussen attacked.

His effort was made even grander given his team was predicted to struggle following a horror testing season in the new V6 turbo.

"If l look back to where we were three weeks ago it exceeds my expectations definitely," he said.

"We didn't have confidence we would see a checkered flag let alone a podium. The support has been crazy and being the only Aussie on the grid and the result has been more than I could have been expected.''

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Even winner Rosberg acknowledged Ricciardo's stellar home race after beating him by almost 25 seconds.

"Daniel got a little more support than us but that was expected,'' Rosberg said.

"We all worked hard over the winter and it is amazing to have such a good Silver Arrow. They have done a remarkable job. I had a great start and after that the car was just really quick today. We had a really good engine and no problem with fuel consumption. It all worked perfectly.''

There was drama even before the start light ushered in the new area of Formula One with a stalled Marrussia forcing an aborted start on the formation lap.

With the flag set to drop on the Australian Grand Prix, Jules Bianchi forced a yellow to drop as he sat helpless on the grid.

The Brit joined his teammate Jules Bianchi in the pitlane after the French man earlier fell victim to the same problem.

Daniel Ricciardo powers his way around the Albert Park circuit. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Getty Images

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean further reduced the grid after being slapped with a pit-lane penalty for a pre-race blue.

Rosberg blasted his way to the front when the flag finally dropped with a lightening start rocketing him past Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton.

Ricciardo recovered from a sluggish start to steal second place from Hamilton.

The carnage began behind instantly with Kamui Kobayashi locking up and taking out new Williams driver and Ferrari reject Felipe Massa.

Caterham driver Kamui Kobayashi runs off the track after a collision with Williams driver Felipe Massa. Source: AP

The drama continued when race favourite Hamilton was ordered to retire when his Mercedes dropped a cylinder.

"As soon as I left the line I had a lot less power. I didn't understand it and people came past. They asked me to come in and I think it was one of the cylinders that was not firing.''

Another bombshell was unleashed when reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel became another high-profile causality of the all-new machinery.

Vettel's race was over on lap five.

"Second formation lap we lost power,'' Vettel said.

"We don't know why yet. It is going to be a long season. All of us expected cars to beach but unfortunately it was us.'

SEE HOW RACE DAY UNFOLDED IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW

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Port too smooth for Blues

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YOU wouldn't blame Mick Malthouse if he sat awake last night hacking into a premiership clock to wind it backwards.

The Carlton coach, a firm believer in the flag window, had his Blues at 11 o'clock during the week.

But after watching his side cop a last quarter bullying from Port Adelaide's rampant generation next at Etihad Stadium, Malthouse may have taken a screwdriver to the time piece.

ANOTHER FOUNDATION CLUB CRASHES

MALTHOUSE: "DISMAL" LAST QUARTER

In a game of massive momentum swings, the Power were swinging when it counted most, slamming on the first five goals of the last quarter to flip a six-point three quarter-time deficit into a convincing 33-point win — 18.12 (120) to 12.15 (87).

It was a demoralising defeat for the finals hopeful Blues, who had lead by 24 points 20 minutes into the second quarter. On this evidence, September is much further away than the five and a half months on the calendar.

Brad Ebert gets away from Kade Simpson. Picture by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

The home side was then ripped apart by a fluid Port Adelaide propelled by young tyros Ollie Wines, Chard Wingard and Jared Polec. That trio's work was finished off, first by an unstoppable Justin Westhoff (five goals), and later by a red-hot Robbie Gray (four goals).

Watching Port is a bit like seeing a bunch of kids walking home from school. It only takes one to egg a roof and then they're all into it, fuelled by bravado and energy.

On the football field the teal enthusiasm is irresistible. Last night, when the Blues threatened to destroy one of the AFL's youngest teams, Wines and Wingard were the constants that kept them in touch.

Dale Thomas kicks his first Carlton goal. Picture by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

But then Westhoff roared to life on Matthew Watson in the second term with four goals, Polec then caught fire out of the middle, sub Matthew Broadbent provided energy and Gray kicked three matchwinning last quarter goals.

As the Power took a vice-like grip on the contest, there was no more symbolic moment than that which occurred three minutes into the last term.

Wines and Marc Murphy stood toe-to-toe under a high ball on the wing. The Power youngster built more like a wood chopper shrugged the Carlton captain aside, ran off and drove his side forward. Was it a glimpse into the future?

Ollie Wines of the Power celebrates a goal Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

On the ropes more than once, Port ran harder, longer and used the ball to perfection when it counted. A game that was built as a flip of the coin job and was hotly contested for three quarters, was blown to smithereens in the fourth.

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Port's 120 points was its highest against Carlton in nine years. It had 53 more disposals, dominated the uncontested ball, had 16 more tackles and four more inside 50s.

Carlton had its moments, but just how Port were able to get multiple run-ons — six goals across the second and third quarters and that devastating five-goal burst to open the fourth — is what will keep Malthouse and co. busy this week.

Mick Malthouse of the Blues asks for more from Bryce Gibbs Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

Ed Curnow was excellent for the Blues, keeping both Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett under control while helping himself to 19 disposals and two goals. For the most part Murphy was more like the Murphy of old, Bryce Gibbs was influential, David Ellard (two goals) was a surprise packet up forward and Kade Simpson was his courageous and prolific self. Zach Tuohy also deserves praise for his job on Travis Boak.

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And yet for all that Carlton couldn't hang on, with its prime movers were rendered mute in the last 30 minutes and a forward line that never really got going.

It had started so well, too. New boys Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt kicked the game's opening two goals and the Blues were buzzing with pressure and vigour.

Then came Westhoff's staggering second term. The 'Hoff' kicked two consecutive goals, was then forced from the field after being poleaxed by Andrew Walker, and then returned to bag another two for a four-goal haul at the main break,

It wasn't the knock out blow, but it allowed it to happen.

CARLTON: 12.15.87

PORT ADELAIDE: 18.12.120

SAM EDMUND'S BEST

CARLTON: Curnow, Gibbs, Simpson, Murphy, Ellard, Bell

PORT ADELAIDE: Wines, Westhoff, Gray, Polec, Cornes, Boak, Hartlett

Hamish Hartlett kicks a long goal Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

MATCH IN A MINUTE

FIRST QUARTER

The Blues jumped out of the blocks, with goals to new recruits Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt and David Ellard not only tagging running defender Jasper Pittard but hitting the scoreboard.

SECOND QUARTER

The Hoff puts on the Superman cape. Justin Westhoff kicks four goals for the term, including one from a 50m penalty that will see Andrew Walker draw match review panel heat for a high elbow.

THIRD QUARTER

The momentum ebbs and flows as Port Adelaide surges with four straight goals. Then Carlton flicks the switch and kicks three in a row, two of them from powerful Jarrad Waite marks.

FOURTH QUARTER

Chris Yarran kicks a surging goal then the Blues simply stop. Robbie Gray kicks three of six straight goals to surge away from the Blues. Ouch.

Jon Ralph

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Malthouse: ”Dismal” final quarter

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CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse last night blamed the club's "dismal" last-quarter fade-out on the Blues' interrupted summer training program.

Malthouse had already lessened expectations during the week when he spoke of the 22 players who underwent some form of surgery during the off-season.

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Mick Malthouse gestures to his players. Pic by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

But while he said every player who played in last night's 33-point loss to Port Adelaide had played at least one practice game, he admitted the Blues weren't ready.

"The players who have had interrupted pre-seasons really did struggle in the last quarter and there were some good fightbacks, but the last quarter was pretty dismal,'' he said.

"We went into the game confident we could match them in certain areas, but there is no question they blew us away totally in the last quarter.

"Statistics show it and the scoreboard shows it. They dominated the last quarter. We have just got to get some time into some of our blokes who haven't had the lead-up some other clubs have had.

"We had a number of players with (limited preparation) in the pre-season and in today's football it takes match after match to get that fitness."

Dale Thomas and Matthew Kreuzer show their disappointment Pic by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

He defended Matthew Kreuzer, who was well beaten when the excellent Robert Warnock went out of the ruck.

"Kreuz is a ruckman and we want to make him a forward/ruckman and it's up to him to grab that opportunity. He got jumped over at the end and he knows that, but he couldn't run before Christmas, and Matthew has a fantastic heart, so the more he plays the better he will get. He has to get games into him."

Malthouse refused to discuss where the loss left his premiership clock, after the veteran coach claimed the Blues were approaching the prized 11-1 window.

"Let's not worry about Round 22, let's worry about Round 2. It's not a matter of whether you are in a window or not, it's winning enough games of football. There will be nine winners and nine losers in Round 1."

He would not discuss Andrew Walker's report for slinging Angus Monfries into the boundary line fence.

The loss now pits the Blues against archrivals Richmond in a crunch game in a fortnight, with the loser falling to 0-2.

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Foul on Fabio robs Reds of momentum

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ADELAIDE United and Western Sydney Wanderers' 0-0 draw was marred when Fabio Ferreira was forced off the park with concussion but the aggressor was allowed to stay.

The game swung Wanderers way when star Reds winger Ferreira was smacked off the ball by Wanderers Adam D'Apuzzo at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.

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Before the incident Adelaide was in control.

D'Apuzzo shoulder charged Ferreira in the 20th minute with the ball 10m away when the left back was already on a yellow card for a crude foul on the Portuguese winger just 10 minutes earlier.

Delovski allowed the second cynical foul to pass without another caution leaving D'Apuzzo with a lucky pass to stay on the park before Ferreira looked dazed and lasted until the 31st minute before he left for treatment.

When Jeronimo Neumann was unloaded off the bench to replace Ferreira Wanderers took control of the clash until the half-time break.

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Adelaide for all of its possession and movement off the ball troubled Wanderers gloveman Ante Covic into making just one routine save from Bruce Djite's 20m effort before the break as Marcelo Carrusca and Ferreira missed the target despite sublime Reds attacking build ups.

With Wanderers only fielding three starting players that made the midweek AFC Champions League trek to face China's Guizhou Renhe (1-0), the reigning A-League premier struggled to find any consistent rhythm but still managed to trouble the Reds with direct football.

But Carrusca created the game's best chance in the second half.

His brilliant pass inside the box allowed Neumann to open the score but the Argentine sliced his shot wide from 7m with only Covic to beat five minutes after the break.

Right back Jerome Polenz then gave the home side much needed width in the second half as the German made space to pump crosses inside the box but Adelaide dealt with the danger comfortably.

Shannon Cole was then cautioned in the 55th minute for up-ending Carrusca who was on a goalbound run on the flank but Adelaide drew a blank from the angled set piece.

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Carrusca had a another opportunity on the hour to force at least a save from Covic but his volley from 7m after Neumann sped past D'Apuzzo to cross the ball inside the box was wide.

With tiring legs changing the pattern of the game Aaron Mooy then forced captain Eugene Galekovic into an easy save with a 25 effort with the Reds stretched in the 65th minute.

But with the game heading for a draw fringe FIFA World Cup Socceroo Michael Zullo was unloaded off the bench to replace Djite as coach Josep Gombau reshuffled his XI to find a winner.

Neumann was shifted to central striker as Zullo became the Reds third right winger in 70 minutes.

But it was Wanderers threatening to score when Mooy had Galekovic scrambling to make a save after 77 minutes after former Red Tomi Juric was thrown into the fray to search for a winner four minutes earlier.

Juric forced Galekovic with a spectacular save in the 90th minute in the last shot on target in the clash.

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Thompson strikes late to break Perth

Archie Thompson's late goal saw Victory leapfrog Western Sydney into second place. Source: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

MELBOURNE Victory striker Archie Thompson scored a late winner in his side's 2-1 A-League triumph over Perth at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

The game appeared headed for a draw after Victory skipper Mark Milligan cancelled out his 27th-minute own goal with a 39th-minute penalty.

But Thompson secured all three points when he pounced on James Troisi's well-weighted pass to slot home the winner in the 90th minute.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS AND GET THE STATS IN THE MATCH CENTRE.

Michael Thwaite gets his groove on to celebrate his opener for Perth. Source: News Corp Australia

The triumph lifted Victory into second spot on the table, giving them a one-point buffer over third-placed Western Sydney with just four rounds remaining.

Perth Glory remain bottom of the table after their winless run stretched to nine games.peThe Victory, who were playing their third game in the space of nine days, now have to back up for Tuesday's Asian Champions League clash with Japanese outfit Yokohama F. Marinos in Melbourne.

There was drama during the warm-up when Glory young gun Danny De Silva was knocked unconscious after being struck in the side of the head by a wayward ball.

Jacob Burns gets to grip with James Troisi. Source: News Corp Australia

De Silva was replaced on the bench by Adrian Zahra, and Glory took a surprise lead in the 27th minute when Michael Thwaite's header deflected off Milligan and into the back of the net.

Glory goalkeeper Jack Duncan pulled off a brilliant fingertip save to deny Tom Rogic three minutes later.

But Victory were back on level terms before half-time when Milligan converted a penalty after Troisi was pulled down by Glory defender Matt Davies.

Clear-cut chances on goal were few and far between in the second half.

But Thompson made no mistake when a golden opportunity finally fell his way, with the fringe Socceroo slicing his way behind Glory's defence before nailing the late winner in front of 7068 fans.

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