Port Adelaide has withstood a late revival by Adelaide to win a thrilling hard-fought NAB Cup clash by three points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.
Port Adelaide has withstood a late revival by Adelaide to win a thrilling hard-fought NAB Cup clash by three points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.The Power's strong showing confirmed the confidence in its improved fitness and the quality of its young players, while the Crows could be satisfied with their effort, given their depleted line-up.Experienced players stood out for both teams, with Kane Cornes, Steven Salopek, Michael Wilson, Peter and Shaun Burgoyne, Dean Brogan, Brendon Lade and Troy Chaplin shining for Port.Of the Power's younger players and newcomers, former Tiger David Rodan did some good work, as did Tom Logan, Adam Thomson, Nick Lower and Greg Bentley.Young Chris Knights was a ball magnet, as usual, for the Crows, and Nathan Bassett, sometimes up forward and Rob Shirley, Scott Thompson and Nathan Bock were useful, while Ben Hudson's form and fitness were encouraging after his long absence after knee surgery.Port's score included six points from two behinds rushed by Adelaide players. Such behinds are worth three points each in the NAB Cup, just as goals scored from outside the 50-metre arc are worth nine points.The Power trailed by 22 points midway through the second quarter before kicking four goals to lead by five points at half-time. And, helped by some undisciplined Adelaide defence, Port stretched the difference to 14 points at three-quarter time.The third of those four goals was an early contender for goal of the year - a magnificent nine-pointer that sailed through from beyond the 50-metre line after Shaun Burgoyne had sprinted from behind the centre-square line across the Power's half-back line, evading an opponent and bouncing the ball twice at full speed.Port was gifted another nine-pointer when Shirley applied a late tackle to Logan outside the 50-metre line, and the resultant 50-metre penalty enabled Logan to take his kick from the goalsquare.Adelaide's two nine-point goals came from Bock in the first quarter and Scott Welsh early in the third term.Simon Goodwin (calf) withdrew from the Crows' side. Other names missing included Mark Ricciuto, Brett Burton, Graham Johncock, Ian Perrie, Ken McGregor, Kris Massie and long-term casualties Rhett Biglands and Trent Hentschel.The Power was without two experienced players - Warren Tredrea and Toby Thurstans.Port will play in Darwin next Saturday night against the winner of Sunday's Geelong-Richmond match at Skilled Stadium.Adelaide will play in Mount Gambier next Saturday in a NAB Challenge match against the loser of the Melbourne-Hawthorn match at Telstra Dome on Sunday.PORT ADELAIDE:1.8, 1.5.13, 2.8.14, 2.9.17 (89)ADELAIDE:1.3.0, 1.6.2, 2.7.6, 2.10.8 (86)NINE-POINT GOALS: Port Adelaide: S. Burgoyne, Logan Adelaide: Bock, WelshSIX-POINT GOALS: Port Adelaide: Ebert 2, Rodan, Lade, Salopek, Logan, Pearce, Thomson, BentleyAdelaide: Griffin 2, Edwards 2, Welsh 2, Bock 2, Stevens, HudsonBEST: Port Adelaide: K. Cornes, Salopek, Wilson, P. Burgoyne, Brogan, Chaplin, S. BurgoyneAdelaide: Knights, Bassett, Hudson, Bock, ShirleyINJURIES: Port Adelaide: Brogan (broken nose)Adelaide: Meesen (medial ligament strain right knee)UMPIRES: Vozzo, Fila, Wenn, DeyCROWD: 16,355 at AAMI Stadium
Josh Mahoney, Port Adelaide's leading goalkicker last season - with only 29 in 22 matches - knows the Power needs a more productive forward line this season.
Luke Webster talks to media, touching on the Round 19 wrap up and looking ahead to the side's trip to the Gabba.
14:21
Matthew Richardson, Justine Mules-Robinson and the Hon Rhiannon Pearce MP press conference - 21 July
Matthew Richardson, Justine Mules-Robinson and the Hon Rhiannon Pearce MP speak to the media at Alberton Oval after the opening of the club’s redeveloped AFLW change rooms.
06:06
Glenn Strachan press conference - 20 July
Glenn Strachan speaks to the media at Alberton Oval providing an update on AFLW pre-season.
08:58
SANFL Highlights: Port Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens
Port Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens clash at Alberton Oval.
Webster on motivation, belief in the system and big ins this weekend
Assistant coach Luke Webster spoke to media ahead of Round 20.
Injury report: Richards sidelined, Georgiades to return
Joe Richards will unfortunately be sidelined for up to a month with a finger injury.
Port Adelaide welcomes sportsmed as official club partner
Port Adelaide Football Club is proud to announce sportsmed as an official club partner, strengthening a long-standing relationship that has supported the club's AFL and AFLW programs for many years.
Port Store Ultimate Guernsey Event - One Day Only
Don's miss out on the Port Store's Ultimate Guernsey Event!