PORT ADELAIDE fought valiantly but couldn’t keep up with a classy Glenelg outfit, falling to a 49-point loss.
A sunny Saturday at Stratarama Stadium saw Glenelg break away early before Port Adelaide brought the margin back to 24 points late in the third quarter, only for the Tigers to run away with a five-goal final term to sentence the Magpies to a 9.8 (62) to 17.9 (111) loss.
Pouncing the Magpies with a four-goal opening term, the Tigers were always on the front foot and never looked back, kicking at least another four goals in every quarter thereafter.
Port Adelaide fought hard but was unable to kick consecutive goals and threaten the home side, with the game’s momentum well and truly going against the Magpies.
While proud of his side’s resilience against the ladder leaders, head coach Jacob Surjan was disappointed the gap between the two teams couldn’t be closed.
“[Glenelg] taught our guys a bit of a lesson,” Surjan said.
“I thought Glenelg’s class and toughness after half-time was exceptional. We just couldn’t break that momentum… [Glenelg’s] ability to win contests was elite.”
Surjan highlighted the efforts of those forward of the ball, while also praising Glenelg alumni Harrison Ramm’s clamping of star forward Liam McBean.
“I thought our forwards were gallant,” Surjan said.
“And to keep [McBean] to one goal for the game is a mighty effort… [Ramm] has had an interrupted year so far… I’m really proud that he could play his role for the team.”
New mid-season recruits Xavier Bamert (13 disposals, two goals) and Alex van Wyk (13 disposals, 29 hitouts, five inside 50s) made an instant impact in their first game as Magpies, also gathering praise from Surjan.
“I thought [Bamert and van Wyk] were the shining light for us,” Surjan said.
“[Bamert’s] got a bit of old school Port Adelaide about him… we think he’s going to be a player for the future, and van Wyk probably had his best game for the year.”
Another standout performer for the Magpies was Benny Barrett, who caught the eye of coaches after performing well in multiple positions, collecting 18 disposals, nine marks and a goal.
AFL utility Jack Lukosius enjoyed a dream first quarter with eight disposals and a brilliant goal before being cautiously removed from the game with a late shoulder knock, while strong midfielder Jack Watkins put his hand up for AFL-selection with 30 disposals, 11 clearances, and seven inside 50s.
Port Adelaide will return to Alberton Oval next Sunday on June 14 to face West Adelaide at 1:10pm.
SCOREBOARD
PA 1.3 4.3 7.6 9.8 (62)
GLG 4.1 8.4 12.6 17.9 (111)
Goals: Walsh 3, Bamert 2, Barrett, Lorenz, Lukosius, Moore
Best: Watkins, Zerk-Thatcher, Barrett, Bamert, Ramm, van Wyk
