THE Magpies surrendered a narrow half time lead and a chance at victory over Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday after failing to score in a dismal third quarter at Woodville Oval.

Port eventually went down by 39 points after being unable to match the Eagles’ third quarter intensity and skill level.

The match was a nail-biting encounter for the first half and, although last year’s grand finalists were dominant, a determined Magpies outfit refused to be brushed aside.

A late goal to Jono Ross in the second term put the Magpies up by two points at the main break.

But it all fell apart for the black and white from then on.

While both sides were fairly even at stoppages, the Eagles used the ball with more precision and were able to create space to give their forwards plenty of opportunity to score.

The Magpies’ had no answer for the home side’s forward line, led by Jack Gaffney and Matthew Goldsworthy, who finished with three goals apiece.

In a positive for the Magpies, Sam Gray responded well after being dropped from the AFL side, collecting 27 disposals, including six clearances and 10 tackles.

Colquhoun also fought hard, finishing with 32 disposals.

The Magpies host South Adelaide at Alberton Oval next Sunday 22 May at 2.10pm.

As it happened

First Quarter

The Eagles blazed forward and made the most of its opportunities early in the term, with Port Adelaide not starting as well.

The Eagles used a moderate breeze to its advantage by booting the first two goals of the match.

The Magpies’ struggled to move the ball out of defence early, but managed to gain the ascendency midway through the term thanks to hard running by Robbie Young and inside midfield work by Steve Summerton.

Young put the Magpies on the scoreboard.

Butcher and Mitchell followed suit and cut Woodville-West Torrens’ lead to just one point at quarter time.

Second Quarter

The Eagles pushed out to a 13-point lead midway through the second quarter following consecutive goals to Lachlan McGregor.

McGregor’s first goal came eight minutes in, when he was awarded a free kick from a contest with Dougal Howard, who was reported for his part.

The free kick helped the Eagles gain momentum, however the home side could not capitalise on its high inside 50 count, with the Magpies’ defence holding strong.

Port’s first goal for the quarter came during time on after Louis Sharrad took a strong overhead mark just inside 50 and booted the ball through.

The Magpies were quick to win the next centre clearance and Jono Ross was able to crumb the ball home for his first goal and put Port Adelaide in front for the first time.

The siren went a few seconds later and the Magpies took a narrow two-point lead into the main break.

Third Quarter

Port Adelaide’s movement in attack slowed and options going forward dried up as the Eagles midfield showed its ability to break the stoppages. 

Sloppy disposal in defence also hurt Port and Woodville-West Torrens punished them on the turnover.

Colquhoun, Summerton, Mitchell and Sam Gray worked hard and could not be faulted for their effort, but the Eagles quick and precise ball movement proved no match for an under-siege Port Adelaide.

The Magpies did not hit the scoreboard in the third quarter, unable to move the ball out of defence.

Conversely, the Eagles scored 41 points for the term and the Magpies trailed by 39 points at three-quarter time.

Fourth Quarter

Goals were scarce as both sides found it difficult to score early in the term.

The match became scrappy and skill errors seemed to plague the Eagles as much as they did Port Adelaide.

Gaffney pushed the Eagles’ lead out to a game-high 47 points with his third goal for the match, 10 minutes into the quarter.

Robbie Young brought it back when his long bomb went through the middle five minutes later – Port’s only goal for the second half.

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE                           3.0     5.4     5.4        12.10 (82)
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS        3.1      5.2     11.7      6.7 (43)

PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU'S BEST
S. Gray, Summerton, Mitchell, Palmer

GOALS
R. Young 2, Butcher, Mitchell, Ross, Sharrad

DISPOSALS
Colquhoun 32, S. Gray 27, Summerton, Palmer 25

INJURIES
TBC

REPORTS
Howard (TBC)

CROWD
TBC at Woodville

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