PORT Adelaide reigned victorious with a thrilling first half effort to bring home a 50-point win over South Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies started strong and took the lead early in the first half, with Aidyn Johnson getting the game started by nailing their first major for the day.

South were competitive in the opening term, but Port Adelaide found it too easy in the midfield, creating opportunities through Jake Neade’s run-and-carry and Brett Eddy as a target up forward.

The Panthers showed strong defensive pressure as they were repeatedly tested by the Magpies pushing into their forward line, but the visitors managed to pull away in the final minutes of the quarter thanks to an impressive goal outside the 50 from Brett Eddy, two goals to Willem Drew and an around the body specky by Emanuel Irra.

Peter Ladhams set the Magpies up for a blistering second quarter by kicking the first goal; a set shot from the 50m out.

The Panthers fought back hard in the opening few minutes, taking the ball to their forward line, but they were kept at bay by the Magpies’ hard working back six.

The Magpies kept their opponents almost scoreless in the second quarter, booting 8.2 to the Panthers’ 1.0; the home side's coming in the final minutes of the second term.

South were met by a strong defensive Magpies outfit the few times they entered their forward 50, proving difficult to hit the scoreboard.

Logan Austin shone in back line with support from Jarrod Lienert and Immanuel Irra, while skipper Steve Summerton picked up the crumbs, continuously sending the ball forward.

Despite opening the third term with a major to Jesse Palmer, the Magpies slowed after the major break.

The Panthers regained some form and followed with three scoring shots in a row, while the Magpies lacked some accuracy infront of goal; marking their lowest scoring quarter for the game.

South continued to push for a comeback, but it was too little too late with the Magpies regaining momentum powering home with the win.

Summerton once again topped the stats with an impressive 31 disposals while Matt White was instrumental in creating opportunities up forward. 

Youngsters Jo Atley and Jesse Palmer shone with 26 and 30 disposals apiece and three goals between them, while 50-gamer Louis Sharrad made a return to the side with strong defensive pressure, collecting eight tackles and a goal. 

The 50-point win places Port Adelaide in second position on the ladder heading into next weekends’ match against West Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

Scoreboard: Port Adelaide: 5.3 13.5 15.8 19.3 (127)

South Adelaide: 2.1 3.1 7.2 12.5 (77)

Goals: Eddy 3, Johnson, Drew, Monfries, Ladhams, Palmer 2, Lienert, Irra, Marshall, White, Sharrad, Atley, Neade.

Best: Neade, Palmer, Summerton, Drew, Atley, White, Irra.

Injuries: Nil

More on portadelaidefc.com.au...