PORT ADELAIDE fell just short of commemorating club legend Russell Ebert’s tribute match with a win, falling to a fast-finishing West Adelaide by nine points.
After never holding the lead throughout the first three quarters, the Bloods kicked four last-quarter goals to hit the front and consign the Magpies to an 11.11 (77) to 12.14 (86) loss.
Russell Ebert himself smiled upon Alberton Oval once again on Sunday, providing the two teams with picturesque blue skies, soft green grass and not a hint of wind for the fifth iteration of his tribute match.
The first quarter was extremely contested and only saw three goals kicked in total, before the floodgates opened when lively forward Mitch Zadow slotted three of Port Adelaide’s five second quarter goals to take a commanding 18-point lead at half time.
West Adelaide was not to be ruled out in the third quarter though, kicking a goal almost immediately, then piling on another three in stoppage time to reduce the margin to just three-points at the final break.
After another fast Bloods goal saw the Magpies lose the advantage, it was all West Adelaide as it dominated with ball in hand and handed Port Adelaide its seventh loss of the season.
Head Coach Jacob Surjan was extremely disappointed to let his side’s lead slip after such a strong first half.
“Everything got turned on us [in the second half],” Surjan said.
“[West Adelaide] were great in contests, their spread away from the contest was really good, and they hit the scoreboard. A lot of credit’s got to go to them.”
Not being able to reclaim the lead in the last quarter also stung, as Surjan lamented the efforts that led to the result.
“We’ve got to show a bit more fight and resilience than what we showed in that last quarter,” Surjan said.
“We’re extremely disappointed with the effort that we gave.”
Although disappointed to not walk away with a victory, Surjan was impressed by Zadow’s exciting performance (10 disposals, four goals), commending his club-best effort yet.
“Mitch Zadow played his best game for the footy club,” Surjan praised.
“I thought he was dominant forward of the ball… he looked really lively.”
Surjan also highlighted wingman Jack Lukosius (21 disposals, six rebound 50s and a goal) getting through the match unscathed after a shoulder knock last week against Glenelg.
“I was really pleased for Jack to be able to get some continuity,” Surjan said.
“He made some really good decisions. He uses the ball so well and he’s just going to keep getting better.”
Other key contributors to Port Adelaide’s cause today were Ryan Carnelly (24 disposals, four tackles), Jack Watkins (21 disposals, five marks), and Jacob Wehr (19 disposals).
The best-on-ground medal was awarded to West Adelaide’s Joel Parker for a 25 disposal and three goal performance.
Port Adelaide will travel to Unley Oval next Sunday 21 June to take on Sturt at 2:10pm.
SCOREBOARD
PA 2.2 7.6 9.8 11.11 (77)
WA 1.4 4.6 8.11 12.14 (86)
Goals: Zadow 4, Walsh 3, Anastasopoulos, Lorenz, Lukosius, Moore
Best: Watkins, Zadow, Carnelly, Moraes, Barrett, Visentini
