CARLTON has produced a resounding return to winning form with a 54-point triumph over Port Adelaide.

On the back of a blistering first 15 minutes, the Blues withstood a potential fightback and made their ascendancy count in the 18.10 (118) to 9.10 (64) win.

In his first game back for two months, Sam Walsh was a welcome addition for the Blues, bursting out of the blocks to finish with 28 disposals, while Harry McKay was a dominant presence to finish the day with an equal-career high of seven goals.

The baby Blues opened proceedings under the roof, as contested marks from Hudson O’Keeffe and Ashton Moir from similar positions on the ground both ended with goals inside the opening five minutes.

Walsh was involved from the opening clearance, getting the assist for O’Keeffe while contributing three clearances from seven first-quarter disposals as the Blues’ on-ball brigade was utterly dominant.

With 16-4 clearances for the term, it was a Navy Blue wave in offence as the Blues piled on six goals in 16 minutes before their opponents had even registered a score.

McKay started in outstanding fashion, with his seven disposals for the quarter resulting in seven score involvements - with two of them goals of his own.

Port Adelaide responded in the second half of the first term, producing three of the last four goals - and when Ollie Lord kicked the first of the second term, the margin was back to 19 points.

But as one Lord for Port Adelaide stepped up, Carlton’s own Lord responded in kind, as in-form youngster Cooper produced two direct goal assists for his captain to open up another break on the scoreboard.

The Blues’ midfield didn’t let up, as Walsh (16), George Hewett (16), Lord (15) and Patrick Cripps (15) were the four dominant ball winners on the ground as the Blues dominated field position.

With 30-10 clearances and 36-14 inside 50s, it allowed the opportunity for the Blues’ forwards to get to work with nine inside-50 tackles, as McKay was the main beneficiary on the scoreboard with four goals as the Blues surged to a 55-point lead.

The game tightened up as a contest in the third, with inside 50s essentially levelled, but Carlton’s defenders stood up when called upon. Lachie Cowan produced a string of important defensive moments in the third term on the way to seven disposals (three intercepts).

At the other end, the Blues had chances to extend the lead beyond a 10-goal buffer, but a series of set shots went awry after good transition.

McKay continued to be a focal point both inside 50 and down the line, before Evans bobbed up with a second against his old side.

Carlton drove their advantage home in the final term, kicking the first three goals - Flynn Young kicked his first lot of multiple goals, while McKay made it seven - before Port produced some late goals with the sting out of the contest.

CARLTON                  7.2     13.5     15.9       18.10 (118)
PORT ADELAIDE      3.2     4.4       5.8        9.10 (64)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 7, Cripps 2, Evans 2, F.Young 2, Williams 2, De Koning, Moir, O’Keeffe