Port Adelaide fail to kick a goal in the first half as their horrible start to the season is made worse by a powerful Melbourne performance.
The heat continues to intensify on embattled Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley after the Power were thumped by reigning premiers Melbourne in a 32-point loss at Adelaide Oval.
The Demons kicked the first eight goals of the game and held Port Adelaide to their first-ever goalless half in the AFL, as Melbourne kept a team goalless at half-time for the first time since 1994.
The Power had to wait 106 minutes for their first goal, when Dan Houston dobbed one with four minutes left in the third quarter.
The margin swelled to 53 points in the final quarter, before the Power added some respectability to the scoreboard, losing 10.8 (68) to 4.12 (36).
The result saw the Power slump to 0-4, their worst start to a season since 2008, and Hinkley has now lost five games in a row for the first time as Power coach.
Port Adelaide have also lost four straight games at their home ground for the first time in four years.
Melbourne finished with huge advantages in contested possessions (148-124), clearances (38-29) and inside 50s (56-47) as they suffocated the Power with relentless pressure and impeccable defensive structures, making scoring almost impossible for Hinkley's men.
Compounding things for the hosts was Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines being subbed out at half-time due to illness.
And ruckman Scott Lycett appeared hampered by a shoulder injury for much of the match, allowing Melbourne big man Max Gawn to dominate proceedings.
Gawn was simply outstanding, finishing the game with 25 disposals (12 contested), 12 marks (five contested), 33 hitouts, six clearances and a goal.
James Harmes and Ed Langdon were also hugely influential for the Demons, while Steven May had a field day in defence, picking off countless Power forays.
The first quarter was actually a tight arm wrestle and although Port Adelaide had the early inside-50 advantage but they couldn't translate that dominance onto the scoreboard.
The Power tended to bomb it long, which played right into the Demons' hands.
What Port Adelaide was lacking, Melbourne had in abundance, and after a pressure-filled, goalless 50 minutes, the Demons kicked five goals in 11 minutes, to shoot out to a 37-point lead at half-time.
Melbourne's midfield and forward line got right on top, cracking the game open.
Port Adelaide's first ever goalless half of football was capped off when Todd Marshall was denied a shot on goal after the half-time siren to try to help his team avoid that unwanted statistic.
It didn't get much better for the Power in the second half as Melbourne kept their foot on the throat, before the hosts were finally afforded some respite, kicking the last three goals.
AAP
