STEVEN Summerton didn’t think he would seal the Magpies’ win over Central District on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking after the match, Port Adelaide’s SANFL captain said he knew time was ticking and feared his kick wouldn’t reach the goal line.
"I was thinking that I wouldn't make the distance because I was pretty knackered by that stage," Summerton said after the game.
"I got pretty close to the man on the mark, but thankfully it sailed through.”
His teammates leapt towards him to celebrate after he booted his second major from just inside 50, knowing the goal had sealed the victory.
Although he didn’t have his usual midfield impact, Summerton’s ability to stand up when the game hung in the balance – with two goals in the final quarter, including the sealer - was highly valued in a tight battle with Central.
"It was a good feeling and I celebrated really well, but it was a team effort in that second half that got the side over the line," Summerton said.
The Magpies came back from six goals down midway through the second quarter to snatch the win on Saturday, but Summerton admitted the first half performance was nowhere near the standard the side needs to reach to match it with the best.
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"It was hard work and we are making a bit of a habit of that which isn't great," Summerton said.
"We are sort of playing a half a footy each week and it goes to show that our best footy is good enough.
"There was no panicking, we wanted to try and control the game a bit more and keep our composure and use the footy a bit better going forward.
"In the last few minutes of the second quarter, we started to get on top, so even though we were still down, there was no panic and we just needed to remain composed.
"To get over the line like that was sort of a team-building game and I was really proud of the boys, they showed a lot of character and I was pretty stocked with the win."
Port Adelaide now turns its attention to next week where it will battle it out with third-placed West Adelaide on Saturday 13 June at City Mazda Stadium.
