MELBOURNE has kept its top-four chances alive with a 76-point thrashing of Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

The 20.12 (132) to 8.8 (56) win will only be soured by a nervous wait for Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen, who caught Aliir Aliir high with a stray arm in an incident likely to draw Match Review scrutiny.

00:42

RD 23 | Fireworks erupt after Dee’s stray arm floors milestone man

Jacob van Rooyen’s late contact on Aliir Aliir ignites a scuffle before the Power defender is helped from the field

With Port Adelaide’s season over for several weeks now, Melbourne wasted no time in getting to work and had established a 36-point lead by quarter time.

Port’s willingness to kick long and high worked quite literally worked straight into the hands of the Demon defenders, who intercepted and propelled time after time. Melbourne was far more efficient having scored nine times from their first 11 inside-50s.

Port Adelaide improved after the first change, showing more intent to lower their eyes and use the corridor, but it didn’t stop the Demons from narrowly increasing their advantage.

Round 23 Match Video
  • 02:03

    RD 23 | Kade Chandler | Post-Match Interview

    We speak to Kade Chandler post-match following our 76-point win over Port Adelaide, as he celebrates his 100th game.

    AFL
  • 00:28

    Team Song: Melbourne

    Watch the Demons celebrate their round 23 win

    AFL
  • 01:17
    Highlights
    Highlights

    RD 23 | Fritsch and Jefferson two efforts

    Bayley Fritsch and Matthew Jefferson continue the Demons' great form with these two efforts shortly after the main break

    AFL
  • 00:42
    Match Day
    Match Day

    RD 23 | Fireworks erupt after Dee’s stray arm floors milestone man

    Jacob van Rooyen’s late contact on Aliir Aliir ignites a scuffle before the Power defender is helped from the field

    AFL
  • 01:00
    Highlights
    Highlights

    RD 23 | Chandler's dream start to game 100

    Kade Chandler has the perfect start to his milestone game with two majors including a beautiful dribbling goal

    AFL

With Aliir ruled out for the second half, an already-inexperienced Power defence missed their anchor, with the sting all but evaporated by half-way through the third quarter as the Demons continued to hit the scoreboard, registering six multiple goalkickers for the match.

Despite losing the clearance battle 44-30, Steven King’s side moved the ball without much fuss all game as it recorded their largest ever margin of victory over the Power.

The relentless Kade Chandler was outstanding all night in his 100th match, finishing with 18 disposals, nine tackles, six inside-50s and four goals.

01:00

RD 23 | Chandler's dream start to game 100

Kade Chandler has the perfect start to his milestone game with two majors including a beautiful dribbling goal

Max Gawn (25 disposals and nine clearances) was as dominant as ever, while Bayley Fritsch (four goals) and Jack Steele (27 disposals) also impressed.

Ollie Wines and Jason Horne-Francis toiled hard for the Power and forward Mitch Georgiades booted four goals on return.

Melbourne improved to 15-7 to be only percentage behind fourth-placed Hawthorn heading into the final round.

Melbourne will head back to its MCG fortress to take on the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon, while Port Adelaide’s season will draw to a close next Sunday against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

Melbourne improved to 15-7 to be only percentage behind fourth-placed Hawthorn heading into the final round.

Kade Chandler and Bayley Fritsch both kicked four goals in the dominant win.

01:00

RD 23 | Chandler's dream start to game 100

Kade Chandler has the perfect start to his milestone game with two majors including a beautiful dribbling goal

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PORT ADELAIDE      1.2     3.2     6.6      8.8 (56)
MELBOURNE             7.2     9.3    15.5     20.12 (132)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 4, Sweet 2, Marshall, Durdin
Melbourne: Fritsch 4, Chandler 4, Jefferson 3, Petty 2, van Rooyen 2, Laurie 2, Sparrow, Windsor, Steele

BEST
Port Adelaide: Horne-Francis, Wines, Bergman, Sweet, Richards
Melbourne: Chandler, Gawn, Fritsch, Steele, Laurie, Jefferson, Tholstrup

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Aliir (concussion)
Melbourne: Nil

Crowd: 28,417 at Adelaide Oval