AFL's longest winning streaks: Port Adelaide run shattered in Carlton thrashing

Bryn Wakefield

AFL's longest winning streaks: Port Adelaide run shattered in Carlton thrashing image

Port Adelaide's winning streak has been halted at 13 after a 50-point thrashing at the hands of Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The Power never led throughout the game as the Blues pushed out to a five-goal lead in the second quarter and the margin was never reduced under that amount.

There were significant forced personnel changes to Port Adelaide's prior to the Carlton game with Charlie Dixon, Jason Horne-Francis, Trent McKenzie and Willie Rioli forced out of the team.

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What is the longest AFL winning streak?

The longest-ever win streak in VFL/AFL history dates back to Round 12, 1952, when Geelong defeated Collingwood for its first of 23 straight wins.

That Cats side would even take the 1952 premiership before their streak of victories finally came to an end in Round 13 the following year. 

In 2000, Essendon set the AFL-era record with 20 successive wins en route to a dominant premiership victory. The Brisbane Lions, led by Jason Akermanis and Michael Voss, would equal that tally a year later. 

In the last three seasons, Melbourne has achieved a streak of 17 wins, and Geelong a streak of 18 — both included premierships. 

Many, but not all, major winning streaks have ended in a flag. St Kilda (19 successive wins) fell short of ultimate success in 2009, suffering a heart-breaking Grand Final defeat to Geelong.

Win Streak Team Year(s)
23 Geelong 1952/1953
20 Brisbane 2001/2002
20 Collingwood 1928/1929
20 Essendon 2000
19 Melbourne 1955/1956
19 St Kilda 2009
18 Carlton 1995/1996
17 Collingwood 1903/1904
17 Melbourne 2021/2022

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Port Adelaide's turnaround in 2023

Tipped by many at the start of the season to miss finals, Port Adelaide has rallied behind long-serving coach Ken Hinkley to march on as premiership contenders in 2023. 

The rise can be attributed to young midfielders Zak Butters and Connor Rozee, but the entire side's belief is more than apparent, having won six of the last 13 games by under two goals. 

Connor Rozee Zak Butters Port Adelaide
Getty Images

Despite the defeat against Carlton, Port Adelaide were undermanned and should get plenty of soldiers back for their next game.

A blockbuster matchup with Collingwood awaits in Round 19, and a Showdown against Adelaide will follow — those teams, along with Carlton, are the only ones to beat the Power this season. 

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.