Watch Matthew Primus’ press conference from Saturday’s match above. Can't see the video? Watch on YouTube.
THREE quarters of strong, competitive football saw Port Adelaide lead for two terms and trail narrowly at the final change, but it was an absent final quarter that left the Power searching for 50 points worth of answers come Saturday evening.
End Game
The Power’s 50-point loss to the Bombers left a sour taste after the home side was just a handful of points in arrears at the final change. Having won and led the first half Port Adelaide let itself down through inaccurate kicking in front of goals at close range. Sinking to a 4-12 record this season, the Power has few obvious wins coming up and this was one of a handful of winnable games that got away from Port in season 2012.
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 11.11 (77) def by
Essendon 19.13 (127)
Best: Brad Ebert, Brett Ebert, Moore, Broadbent, Boak, Westhoff ?
Goals: Westhoff, Ebert 3, D Stewart 2, McCarthy, P Stewart, Thomas
Leader board
Disposals leader: Travis Boak (29)
Marks leader: Paul Stewart (7)
Tackles leader: Andrew Moore (7)
Clearances leader: Matthew Broadbent (6)
Hitouts leader: Jarrad Redden (18)
Scores leader: Brett Ebert (19 points)
Dreamteam leader: Brad Ebert (104 points)
Headlines
PTV Exclusive: Danyle Pearce
Analysis
After being undone by the Crows in Round 15 the Power welcomed back three players into its side including tackle-machine Matt Thomas. Port Adelaide’s work rate was its lowest for the year during the first three quarters and some of its best kicking efficiency - highlighting improvements in the team’s ability to win, maintain and use possession at a better rate than it had the rest of the year.
Daniel Stewart came into the game as a tall full forward and in the middle two quarters won the footy and forced defensive infringements from Essendon’s backs. Brett Ebert and Justin Westhoff were both highlights with three goals apiece but beyond their efforts no player particularly stood out.
A win would have spoken volumes of a team-wide effort had the Power pressed ahead and maintained the arm-wrestle it had with the Bombers for the full match, however the six-goal-to-nil performance against them stemming from Essendon’s clean clearance from three centre bounces to build that momentum, left the Power wondering ‘how did it all happen?’
Coming up
Port Adelaide takes on Melbourne in Darwin at TIO Stadium. The Power remains a good chance despite five consecutive losses so far this year. It is experienced playing in the Territory - often playing several games a season as the ‘away’ side. Beyond that, the Power hosts Fremantle at home before travelling to Sydney to play AFL new boys Greater Western Sydney and later the Hawks in Launceston.
Injury list
No injuries were reported from the match. David Rodan, Domenic Cassisi and Jasper Pittard are possible return players for the team to Darwin.
Next Game
Sunday 21 July, 7.10pm (CST)
Melbourne v Port Adelaide
TIO Stadium, Northern Territory
