Port Adelaide was dominated by Adelaide in Saturday’s SANFL Showdown, handed a tough 52-point defeat by the Crows.
Warming the winter crowd up as a curtain-raiser for the AFL Showdown, the Magpies were picked apart by the Crows’ seven goals in both of the first and second quarters, eventually falling to a 12.5 (77) to 19.15 (129) loss.
Port Adelaide couldn’t clamp the Crows’ midfield in the first half, leading to an onslaught of inside 50s that saw the Magpies struggle defensively.
Unwilling to admit defeat early though, the Magpies clawed back five goals in the third quarter and another two in the last term.
Head Coach Jacob Surjan was understandably disappointed with the start his side made to the match.
“It came down to contest and the way [Adelaide] played,” Surjan said.
“They were torching us out of stoppage with their run and carry… they definitely broke through our tackles and that’s something we’re going to have to continue to work on.”
Although unhappy with the final result, Surjan was proud of his side’s resilience in the third quarter to continue the fight and put some score on the board.
“I was really pleased with the boys’ ability to stay in the fight and not throw in the towel in the second half,” Surjan said.
“But there’s still a lot of work to do from that first half, which was pretty disappointing.”
The leading positive out of Saturday’s loss lied in Sam Powell-Pepper’s successful return to football after being sidelined for 11 months with his second ACL injury.
“I think everyone in the footy world loves seeing a really fit and healthy Sam Powell-Pepper,” Surjan said.
Todd Marshall also starred in the defeat with three goals, garnering praise from the coaches for his professionalism in returning to the state league.
“I thought [Marshall] probably could have kicked six,” Surjan said.
“He responded in the right way as a professional should.”
Despite the result, Magpies to register strong performances were Alex van Wyk (30 hitouts), Will Brodie (30 disposals, five clearances), and Brighton recruit Jake Tarca (four goals).
Port Adelaide will next take on South Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday July 4 at 2:10pm.
SCOREBOARD
PA 3.3 5.3 10.4 12.5 (77)
AFC 7.6 14.9 17.10 19.15 (129)
Best: McLennan, van Wyk, Marshall, Cavallaro, Brodie, Tarca
Goals: Tarca 4, Marshall 3, Moore 2, Cochrane, Cavallaro, Lorenz
