ADELAIDE Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has revived his argument from 1985 that the game needs as many as six interchange players.

Without taking anything from Port Adelaide's record 103-point win at Adelaide Oval on Friday - he believes it was outstanding and will "worry the life out of a lot of sides" in the finals - he indicated the demands on the players had become far too great.

Mick Malthouse leaves the field after the game. Credit:Getty Images

It follows Carlton captain Marc Murphy being taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital - and cleared of serious concern after X-rays - suffering concussion after colliding with Port's Cam O'Shea during the second quarter and smashing his head on the ground.

"I know it sounds silly, but I argued this case (for six interchange players) in 1985 when I was in my second year," Malthouse said. "They all looked at me and thought I was a man from wherever.