PORT ADELAIDE has defeated Sydney by 47 points on a wintery day at Adelaide Oval to momentarily move into the top eight, with games still remaining in Round 21.
Port kicked three of the opening four goals on Saturday afternoon, and booted 11 goals to four after quarter time to set up the commanding victory - and back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 5 and 6.
Isaac Heeney - in his 100th game - opened the scoring with a nice set shot, before Karl Amon swept forward for the Power to draw level.
Co-captain Ollie Wines - who was a late replacement for Zak Butters - then pounced to snap truly, which was followed by a strong mark from Paddy Ryder who was unable to convert.
The Power made it three goals in a row when Todd Marshall laid a huge tackle and kicked it sweetly from just outside 50.
Sydney small forward Ben Ronke got out the back to answer for the visitors, before Tom Papley made it two in a row for the Swans to reduce the margin to one point.
Matthew Broadbent intercepted a Swans rebound 50 and found Connor Rozee who slotted the set shot to hand Ken Hinkley’s men a six-point lead at the first change.
Dan Houston kicked the opening goal of the second term seven minutes in, after Sydney had dominated the forward territory but couldn’t have an impact on the scoreboard.
Charlie Dixon booted his first goal of the afternoon from a strong mark and quality set shot, to end a 20-minute goalless period in the game.
Rozee had his second goal in the dying minutes of the first half, after gathering with the one hand and storming through the 50, but it was cancelled out by a sharp effort from Daniel Menzel deep in the pocket. The home side went into the main break with a 15-point advantage.
The Power had the perfect start to the third quarter, with Marshall slotting his second from another holding the ball decision.
Rozee then slotted his third, before Cam Sutcliffe soccered off the ground to open up a game-high 33-point lead early in the second half.
Heeney broke the Port momentum with a left-foot snap for his second, before Dixon’s second ignited the Adelaide Oval crowd.
Menzel kicked his second, followed by a Papley set shot for his second goal also reduced the margin to 22 points late in the third quarter, before Ryder slotted his first to restore the momentum.
Wines extended the margin to 33 points after kicked the opening goal of the final term, before Dixon’s third put the game beyond doubt.
Sutcliffe booted his second on the siren to put icing on the cake in what was an impressive performance from home side.
Port’s defensive unit of Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas, Hamish Hartlett and Darcy Byrne-Jones were terrific all day, with Byrne-Jones (28 disposals) and Jonas (24) leading the possession count for the Power.
Dixon (three goals), Rozee (three) and Marshall (two) provided options all day in the attacking half, while Wines popped up with two goals of his own from 22 touches.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 4.4 7.7 12.10 15.13 (103)
SYDNEY 3.4 4.10 7.12 7.14 (56)
DISPOSALS
Byrne-Jones 28, Jonas 24, Ladhams 23, Wines, Amon 22
GOALS
Dixon, Rozee 3, Marshall, Wines, Sutcliffe 2, Ryder, Houston, Amon
BEST
Byrne-Jones, Jonas, Dixon, Wines, Clurey, Rozee, Ladhams
