A DOMINANT second half set Port Adelaide up for its second win in a row, beating West Adelaide by 63 points.
Trailing by 10 points at half time, the Magpies found another level and piled on 13 goals to one in the second half to collect their third win of the season.
Strong winds couldn’t stop Port Adelaide from putting in its best performance of the season so far as the side impressed coach Hamish Hartlett with its grit and commitment.
“I thought it was a really complete performance. We kept West Adelaide to a very limited score in the second half, which means defensively we bought in,” Hartlett said.
“We set the game up in the third quarter… my challenge to the players was to replicate that same work rate again, even though we are kicking with a good advantage with the wind,” Hartlett said.
“It was nice to see everyone play with a bit of freedom and flair and get each other involved in the game offensively, too.”
Port Adelaide were able to break loose and pull ahead thanks to standout performances from most players, leaving Hartlett hard-pressed selecting his best players.
“It was really pleasing to see lots of guys performing to the level that we know they’re all capable of,” Hartlett said.
“We had a number of contributors across the whole field… That’s what we want from the guys playing at SANFL level.”
Mid-season recruit Mani Liddy shone in his first game for the Magpies, amassing 26 disposals, eight tackles, eight clearances, and a goal to start life at Port Adelaide on the right foot.
“I thought he was outstanding in his first game for us,” Hartlett praised. “I think he’s got that capacity to win his own football, to win some contested possession, and to tackle.”
“But he also makes some really smart decisions on the outside of the contest as well to create shape and receive the ball,” Hartlett said.
While the weather held off for most of the match, a wet last quarter saw it rain goals for forwards Ollie Lord and Lachie Charleson, who kicked three goals apiece.
“I thought it was [Charleson’s] best game that he’s played for the footy club, which is really exciting for him,” Hartlett said.
Ruckman Jordon Sweet was also able to continue his rich vein of form, impacting with a dominant 40 hitouts, eight clearances, and two goals to cement himself as the best on ground in the win.
Others amongst the best players on Sunday were Will Lorenz (29 disposals, six clearances), Jack Watkins (27 disposals, two goals), and Rome Burgoyne (22 disposals, seven rebound-50s).
Port Adelaide now focus on its Saturday June 14th fixture against Woodville-West Torrens at Alberton Oval at 2:10pm.
SCOREBOARD:
PORT ADELAIDE: 3.2 6.4 10.5 19.6 (120)
WEST ADELAIDE: 4.2 8.2 9.3 9.3 (57)
Goals: Charleson, Lord 3, Soldo, Sweet, Watkins, Whitlock, Williams 2, Berry, Liddy. McEntee
Best: Sweet, Liddy, Lorenz, Watkins, Charleson, Burgoyne
