PORT Adelaide has all-but secured a double chance for the finals by defeating South Adelaide by 31 points at Alberton on Saturday.
The victory capped off a perfect weekend for the club, having earlier won its AFL game against Hawthorn and Academy game against Panthers on Saturday morning.
The victory ensures the Magpies remain second on the SANFL ladder with one match left to play - more than four percent ahead of fourth-ranked Norwood.
Andrew Moore, who overcame a foot injury he sustained in the one-point win against Glenelg the week before, finished with three goals, 22 disposals, six clearances and five marks.
Matthew Lobbe dominated in the ruck, finishing with 34 hit-outs, while Steve Summerton was also strong at the stoppages, ending the day with a game-high 10 clearances.
With Central nipping at its heals for a chance to play in the finals, South Adelaide had everything to play for and showed it early.
The Panthers' were able to tear through the Magpies' defence in the first term and recorded four more scoring shots than Port Adelaide by quarter time.
Desperate to rectify the somewhat poor start, the Magpies finally gained some momentum in the second, and went go goal-for goal with the Panthers.
The quarter suggested the 2,396 fans would be treated to yet another close match, as each time the black and white threatened to break the game open, South responded and looked equally classy out of the middle.
While holding a narrow four-point advantage at the main break, Port Adelaide made South look second rate late in the second half when its midfield took charge and helped the home side blaze away.
Sharrad, Logan, Summerton and Colquhoun were relentless when the ball was there to be won, while Colquhoun, Moore and Amon ran tirelessly around the ground.
Port Adelaide kicked the last three goals to seal the win.
Moore, Stewart and Amon starred up forward kicking three goals apiece, while Sid Masters was instrumental in the back half, recording four rebounds from defensive-50.
Port Adelaide hosts West in the final game of the League season on Sunday 30 August at 2.10pm.
LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 1.1 7.4 10.8 14.10 (94)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.4 6.6 6.7 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Amon, Moore, Stewart 3, Redden 2, T. Gray, Logan, Frampton
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
Moore, Summerton, Logan, Clurey, Colquhoun
INJURIES
Nil
CROWD
2396 at Alberton Oval
ACADEMY REPORT
Earlier, Port Adelaide's Academy side bounced back from a disappointing display last week to beat South Adelaide's reserves by 47 points.
The win secured the Academy second place on the reserves ladder and a double chance in its first finals appearance since its reserves program was restructured.
Port Adelaide was led up forward by Sam Gordon and Luke Reynolds, who booted six goals between them, while Brad Coulson led the charge across half-back and in the middle, racking up 20 disposals.
The Magpies had the scoreboard advantage at each break, but it wasn't until the final quarter that the home side was able to run away with the game, booting five goals to the Panthers' one.
Coach Mark Clayton told portadelaidefc.com.au he was pleased with the character the side showed by being able to rectify parts of their game style which cost them the week earlier.
"We talked after last week's game about some of the areas we needed to improve in and the boys came out and improve in every area against South, so I was really happy," Clayton said.
"We got jumped early last week, so I don't think our attitude was right, but we fixed that and we were ready to play at the start of the game this week.
"Structurally we were also a bit better with guys holding their position and we were much more physical this week which was something we really lacked last week.
"We have to win again next week to make sure we finish second.
"We have a really young group, so it will give us a bit of room for mistakes and important for their belief that they are good enough to be there."
ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 4.2 7.5 10.7 15.10 (100)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 3.1 5.2 7.4 8.5 (53)
GOALS
Gordon, Reynolds 3, Northeast, Coulson 2, Deeley-Godfrey, Zavrl, Hawkins, Ross, Phelps
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
Coulson, M.Williams, Reynolds, Gordon, Corcoran
