PORT ADELAIDE travelled to ACH Group Stadium on Sunday to face the top of the SANFL table Glenelg side in very wet, slippery and muddy conditions.

While very inaccurate in front of goal during the first half, the Tigers were cleaner around the ground and ultimately claimed a 49-point win, (15.17) 107 to (8.10) 58.

With a 6.15 score line and a 28-point lead next to its name at half time, Glenelg were holding Port at arms-length, but a seven-goal third term helped it to a 71-point lead at the final change.

The Magpies started the game positively as the rain subsided for the opening quarter with Boyd Woodcock getting the scoring underway through an accurate set shot in the opening 90 seconds.

After almost 10 minutes of the ball locked in Glenelg’s forward half and gallant defending from the Magpies, the Tigers got a major score on the board with a Liam McBean goal from the pocket at the Phillis End.

McBean marked and kicked his second goal five minutes later and the Tigers were peppering the goal front, but only managed a staggering 2.11 in the first quarter.

Riley Bonner and Joe Atley were leading the charge for Port at quarter time with nine disposals each, while Hamish Hartlett was important in defence in his first game back from a hamstring injury.

After a tough slog of a first quarter, spending most of the term repelling Glenelg’s inside 50 entries, an important Willem Drew tackle on the muddy cricket pitch set up Todd Marshall for his first, and Port’s second goal four minutes after the quarter time break.

Lachie Hosie replied instantly for Glenelg to restore a 15-point buffer between the two sides, before Luke Partington made it a 22-point lead with a set shot goal.

Some quick footwork from Kai Pudney spotted up Mitch Mead for Port’s third goal of the match at the 20-minute mark, but two late goals from McBean and Lachie Hosie in the last five minutes of the quarter had the Tigers leading by 28 points at half time.

Another heavy downpour during half time gave the oval another rinse before a filter of blue skies appeared over the ground, but it was the Tigers who had all the early running in a dominant third term.

The half time lead quickly grew to 46 points with goals to Luke Reynolds (two) and Cory Gregson in the opening seven minutes, and eventually the Tigers had nine goals on the trot.

Glenelg held a 71-point lead at three quarter time and Aidyn Johnson goaled from a free kick for Port’s first goal since the 20-minute mark of the second quarter.

Port had two in a row when Tobin Cox marked in a large pack on the goal line, and a third when Johnson kicked his second at the 14-minute mark of the last term.

A late goal to Dallas Hill and Hartlett reduced the margin to 49 points in a five-goal last quarter to end what was a disappointing day for Port Adelaide.

On a positive note Hartlett patrolled the inexperienced defensive line with 17 disposals in his return match, while Port’s major ball winners included Atley with 30 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles and Drew with 30 disposals and five clearances.

SCORE:

Port Adelaide: 1.3, 3.5, 3.6, 8.10 (58)
Glenelg: 2.11, 6.15, 13.17, 15.17 (107)

BEST: Drew, Garner, Hartlett, Atley, Mayes, Bonner.

DISPOSALS: Atley 30, Drew 30, Bonner 25, Mayes 25, Pudney 25.

GOAL KICKERS: Johnson 2, Woodcock, Cox, Marshall, Hartlett, Hill, Mead 1.