Saad ends match in tears as Port smack Blues

Carlton defender Adam Saad has broken down into tears on the bench after his side’s latest humiliating loss, this time at the hands of a rampant Port Adelaide side.

The Blues started brightly in veteran Marc Murphy’s 300th career match, but were pulled back in stunning fashion as Port rammed on 19 unanswered goals to run out 21. 14. (140) to 5. 15. (45) winners at the Adelaide Oval.

The heartbreaking moment involving Saad, who joined the club last off-season, came in the dying seconds of the match.

Saad took exception to a late hit from Port youngster Zak Butters after he had kicked a ball out of the Blues’ defensive 50 and charged at Butters, knocking him to the turf, resulting in a free kick and a goal to Port Adelaide.

After Dan Houston kicked the Power’s final goal, cameras panned to Saad on the Blues bench, who looked to be sobbing as he was spoken to by a club doctor.

The embarrassing loss is sure to intensify the pressure surrounding Carlton coach David Teague, whose manager Liam Pickering slammed the media’s coverage of his client.

“It’s been a vicious, deliberate and nasty attack on a young coach in my view,” Pickering told SEN’s Off The Bench prior to Carlton’s Round 22 match.

“I think [the coverage of Teague has] been absolutely disgusting. These journos and other people wouldn’t have the guts to do that to Alastair Clarkson or anyone with a senior portfolio.

“They pick on a young coach who’s coached less than two full years and make it all about him. I think it’s a disgrace to be perfectly honest.”

Despite being under contract for 2022, Teague’s future has looked increasingly uncertain as Carlton’s season sunk deeper and deeper into the abyss.

While the result was disastrous for Carlton, it vaulted Port Adelaide into a top two spot after the Bulldogs’ loss earlier in the day.

The Power will face the Bulldogs in a blockbuster Round 23 match next week, with the winner likely to have a home qualifying final to open the post-season.

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