Port Adelaide were overrun by a plucky Roosters outfit. Image: Brock Pearson.

PORT ADELAIDE started well against North Adelaide but fell away after half-time, collecting its third straight loss to start the SANFL season.

After leading by 17-points at half-time, Port Adelaide couldn’t stop North Adelaide’s midfield from breaking the game open with nine second-half goals, handing the Magpies an 11.8 (74) to 14.7 (91) defeat.

A sunny Sunday afternoon at Alberton Oval set the stage perfectly for Port Adelaide as it led by 19-points midway through the first quarter, wrestling back the momentum after the Roosters kicked an early goal.

The Magpies continued their scoring in the second term through unlikely forward Xavier Walsh’s two goals, with the usual key-defender finishing with four majors from seven touches after a tactical position change.

Xavier Walsh finished with four goals after a surprise move to the forward line. Image: Brock Pearson.

But it wasn’t to be for Port Adelaide after the main break as North Adelaide dominated the clearance battle 27-35. Three straight goals saw the Roosters evaporate the Magpies’ lead within three minutes, then pile on another six goals before the final siren sounded.

Head Coach Jacob Surjan was disappointed with his side’s inability to run with the Roosters after starting well.

“We thought our pressure in that first half was really good,” Surjan said.

“[But] we just weren’t quick enough to adjust… North Adelaide obviously lifted their pressure and a lot of credit’s got to go to them.”

Commenting on Walsh’s individual performance, Surjan praised the flexibility and execution of the young stand-in forward.

“I thought [Walsh] led up at the ball really well,” Surjan said.

“He’s got a really nice kick and he’s got good hands. [Today] could be a little turning point for him.”

Surjan also lauded stand-in skipper Nick Moore’s performance, labelling his pressure around the ball as the best on ground.

“[Moore] did a great job on the wing,” Surjan praised.

“He plays the way we want our guys to play week in and week out… We’re really fortunate to have someone like him teaching our younger guys to play Port Adelaide football.”

Nick Moore embodied the Port Adelaide spirit with a tough performance, recording 15 touches, six tackles and a goal. Image: Brock Pearson.

Returning midfielder Will Brodie’s day ended early despite efforts to play through a second-quarter corky, and SANFL-contracted player Terrell Rigney took no further part after a hamstring injury in the third term.

Looking ahead to next Friday’s 7:40pm clash with Norwood at Coopers Stadium, Surjan is hopeful his developing squad can knock off their traditional rivals.

“The guys are working so hard and they’re developing quickly,” Surjan said.

“We just need to make sure that we keep emphasising the way we want to play… so hopefully that leads into wins.”

SCOREBOARD

PA  5.3  8.4  9.6  11.8  (74)

NA  4.3  5.5  11.6  14.7  (91)

Goals: Walsh 4, Pitt 2, Brodie, Elbrow, Moore, Smith, Zadow

Best: Moore, Walsh, Weidemann, Zerk-Thatcher, O’Brien, Watkins