Tom Anastasopoulos performed strongly, kicking a goal to go with his 16 disposals and six marks. Image: Brock Pearson.

PORT ADELAIDE couldn’t keep up with Glenelg’s last-quarter blitz in Saturday’s season opener, starting its 2026 SANFL season with a tough loss.

Despite wrestling with the Tigers for most of the game and winning many of the team statistics, the Magpies saw chances go missing before being outworked in the last quarter, leading to an 8.6 (54) to 15.11 (101) defeat.

Kicking off its 2026 campaign at Alberton Oval on Saturday afternoon, Port Adelaide couldn’t close the 23-point margin heading into the last quarter and conceded six final-term goals to a mature Glenelg side.

Officially beginning his tenure as the Magpies’ Head Coach, Jacob Surjan saw his playing group struggle to convert its chances into score.

“We feel like we let an opportunity slip,” Surjan said.

“We over-handballed which compounded into turnovers, and we just didn’t take our opportunities in front of the big sticks.”

Ollie Wines lead from the front, collecting 33 disposals to go with a game-high seven clearances. Image: Brock Pearson.

Although the Tigers showed their teeth in the last quarter, Surjan felt his side can improve quickly on the turnovers that ultimately led to the loss.

“I thought Glenelg’s ability to rebound off our turnovers and score was really good,” Surjan said.

“There’s lots of learnings for us in that space, and I feel that we can learn really quickly and get better straight away.”

Playing his first SANFL game since 2019, AFL-veteran Ollie Wines had a successful return to league football after serving his three-match suspension, amassing 33 disposals and a game-high seven clearances.

“[Wines] was the ultimate professional. He really led from the front, and that’s what he was always going to do,” Surjan said.

Mitch Zadow was lively up forward, hitting the scoreboard with three majors. Image: Brock Pearson.

Slick defender Rome Burgoyne earned praise – and a best on ground accolade from the coaches – after 34 disposals and four rebound-50s, showing his game-sense and work-rate.

“His calmness and composure with ball in hand was elite,” Surjan said.

“He just keeps growing from game to game. He had a great off-season… I feel like he was exceptional today.”

SSP signing Mitch Zadow was strong up forward, finishing with three goals, while Christian Moraes (33 disposals, five marks) got plenty of the footy, particularly in the first half.

Will Lorenz (31 disposals, six clearances) continued to show growth as a developing midfielder, and defender Jez McLennan (25 disposals, 10 marks) was solid down back in his first game as Magpies’ captain.

Port Adelaide will now prepare for Good Friday football against South Adelaide at 2:10pm at Magain Stadium.

SANFL Round 1 v Glenelg

A look at all the action from the Magpies' Round 1 clash against Glenelg. Images: Brock Pearson.
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SCOREBOARD

PA  2.2  5.3  6.4  8.6  (54)
GLG  2.3  8.5  9.9  15.11 (101)

Goals: Zadow 3, Lord 2, Anastasopoulos, Chamberlain, Rigney
Best: Burgoyne, Zadow, Moraes, McLennan, Lorenz, Anastasopoulos