It was a difficult afternoon for Port Adelaide, challenged by the opposition and the weather. Image: Brock Pearson.

PORT ADELAIDE were unable to beat either West Adelaide or the weather in a bizarre day at Richmond Oval, falling to a 105-point loss in torrential rain.

 It was all West Adelaide in the wet and wild affair as the Bloods slotted 16 consecutive goals at one point, consigning the Magpies to a dreary day of football and a 3.5 (23) to 19.14 (128) loss.

While Port Adelaide opened the scoring through forward Jake Tarca who continued his fine form this season, the Bloods unleashed on the Magpies, scoring seven first-quarter goals despite the rain and thunder.

As the weather worsened, the game was paused due to nearby lightning which led to a rare 30-minute quarter time break to let the conditions subside. After another warmup, West Adelaide continued its rampage and piled on a further five majors in the second quarter.

The second half continued the same narrative as the Bloods dominated disposals (+178) and marks (+27), also aided by their efficiency inside 50 (35 scoring shots from 55 inside 50s). Port Adelaide paled in comparison with a goal-drought stretching from the seven-minute mark of the first quarter until 21 minutes into the last quarter.

Reflecting on his side’s performance, coach Jacob Surjan was understandably keen to move past the loss.

SANFL Round 17 v West Adelaide

The action from a wet afternoon. Images: Brock Pearson.
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“[West Adelaide] taught our players a lesson in contest,” Surjan said.

“Unfortunately, today was just one of those days where we got overwhelmed by a pretty physical and really mature SANFL team.”

Playing mainly in the backline, youngster Dougie Cochrane found plenty of the football to boost his confidence, collecting 30 touches, ten rebound 50s and six tackles to attract praise from Surjan

“[Cochrane] was one of the shining lights for us today,” Surjan said.

“Today was a little glimpse of what Dougie can do… there’s still a few little things in his game that we need to improve, but if that’s what he’s doing in his second game after a long stint out, it’s pretty positive for us.”

Fellow Next Generation Academy player, Zackariah Young (eight disposals, five tackles) was also another who impressed Surjan with his commitment and spirit.

Surjan also highlighted the performance of captain Jez McLennan, who stood tall in an under-siege defence with 27 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, and six clearances.

Surjan praised the performance of Dougie Cochrane who collected 30 disposals in his second outing for the Magpies. Image: Brock Pearson.

“[McLennan] is one of those guys who really cares and puts his head over the ball,” Surjan said.

“He tried his guts out. When you wear the number one for Port Adelaide, you have to do whatever it takes… I thought he did that today.”

Port Adelaide will look to rebound next Saturday August 15th, taking on Sturt at Alberton Oval at 2:10pm.

SCOREBOARD

PA  2.1  2.2  2.4  3.5  (23)
WA  7.6  12.10  14.13  19.14  (128)

Goals: Growden, Kempe, Tarca
Best: McLennan, Thompson, D Cochrane, Young, Walsh, Cavallaro