Port Adelaide has recorded its first victory of the SANFL season off the back of a stunning third quarter blitz, winning 18.10 (118) to 15.8 (98).
In the prelude to the AFL Showdown, Adelaide was no match for the ferocity of the Magpies, whose last SANFL Showdown win came three-and-a-half years ago.
Additionally, it was coach Jacob Surjan’s first win overseeing the Magpies, something which he was “extremely proud” of.
“My first win as coach of the Magpies will be something that I remember forever,” he said.
“[The Magpies staff] work so hard together to create an environment where we want our team and our players to succeed, so everyone tries to give the coach credit but it comes down to a team of people.
“I’m just extremely excited for the club and resilience that we’ve shown in this little period of time.”
The Northern end of Adelaide Oval was clearly the scoring end for the afternoon, with Surjan pleased with the way the team was able to control the ball even when the tide was against it.
“I guess we started really well in the first and then they challenged us back in the second quarter, but we came in talking about going back to the fundamentals of our game, and I thought the boys did a really good job in that aspect,” he said.
“We came out in that third quarter and kicked nine goals, playing some really exciting footy and we obviously put ourselves in a position to win.
“We’ve still got some growth, we still let them back into the game in the last quarter, but all in all it's really positive as a club that we’re on the board for the first time this year.”
The Magpies came out of the blocks firing, with Will Brodie (30 disposals, one goal, 12 clearances) opening the scoring for the day off the back of relentless pressure and repeat inside 50s. Adelaide struggled to control play as the visitors held a 25-point lead at the first break.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides at the start of the second term however the Crows wrestled back momentum to close the gap at the main break.
It was one-way traffic in the third, as the Magpies dominated all over the ground, kicking nine goals to Adelaide’s one while pleasingly, Michael Cavallaro and Nicholas Couroupis kicked their first goals this season.
Beneficiaries of kicking to the Northern End in the final term, Adelaide fought back but by then, it was too little too late, as Nick Moore (four goals, 15 disposals) sealed the deal with an impressive snap.
The culture of the Magpies was a highlight of the afternoon for Surjan, who mentioned the whole program has been working on putting together four quarters of consistent football.
“I think we’re playing good enough football but we’re just really trying to bring that team aspect to the Magpies program and getting the boys just to play for 120 minutes,” he said.
“We just wanted to make sure our guys were focused on their roles and what they wanted to do when they’re on the grass for that period of time.
“I thought they did a great job tonight.”
Port Adelaide will look to make it two wins in a row when it takes on Central District at Alberton Oval on Saturday 9 May at 2:10pm.
SCOREBOARD
PA 5.5 6.8 15.9 18.10 (118)
AFC 1.4 5.6 6.7 15.8 (98)
Goals: Moore 4, Barrett, Walsh 3, Elbrow, O'Driscoll 2, Brodie, Cavallaro, Couroupis, Lorenz
Best: Moore, Watkins, Lorenz, Mead, Weidemann, Couroupis
