PORT ADELAIDE’S non-selected AFL players enjoyed a solid hit-out with Sydney on Friday afternoon, running out narrow winners in a spirited contest at Alberton Oval.
The two sides faced off 16-a-side for three 20 minute periods, with a purple patch of Steven Motlop brilliance proving the difference between the two sides in perfect conditions.
The enigmatic forward came to life in the game’s final stanza, booting all four of his goals to the Scott Hodges end in a dynamic performance.
Development coach Matthew Lokan took the reins of the group and was pleased with the attitude and effort from his charges.
“Most of the guys cross that white line they get competitive and they want to play and they’re physical,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au postgame.
“There was a bit of push and shove today which is great those competitive juices come out.
“It’s less about the score and more about guys putting their hands up to be able to play AFL football.”
Port’s non-selected players have been unable to press their case for selection in the SANFL this season due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Lokan was pleased to see strong performances across the board.
“It was much more even (performance). The guys that have played some footy – and especially AFL football – over the last month or so were really good today,” he said.
“Steven Motlop worked his way into the game. His last period was fantastic. He kicked a couple of goals and got back into some touch, which is what we really need.
“Dan Houston is a class above this level, his ability to use the ball and get a hold of it was great.
“Also some young guys, I thought Jackson Mead and Trent Burgoyne showed some patches today which was really good for our future going forward.”
On a beautiful day at Alberton, with the sounds of an energetic warm-up echoing across the freshly cut Alberton surface, there was an early reminder of the unusual circumstances of the COVID-affected AFL season as Riley Grundy and Trent Burgoyne lined up for the Swans in the first term to even the numbers.
The first quarter was a low-scoring affair as both sides struggled to gain any ascendency.
Kane Farrell’s sweeping left foot strike to the southern end proved the only major score of the term, as Motlop got busy switching between a forward flank and midfield, Houston found plenty of it behind the ball and Willem Drew and Joe Atley worked tirelessly in midfield.
The Swans controlled the run of play during the second term and former South Adelaide ruckman Michael Knoll kicked their first after a swift counter attack.
Port Adelaide goalled through Peter Ladhams – who spent the majority of the afternoon forward with Sam Hayes shouldering the load at the stoppages – and Tobin Cox after a low driven forward entry from Kane Farrell.
However, two strong marks and goals from another former Panther Hayden McLean would give Sydney the advantage at final break.
Enter Motlop.
Within a minute of the restart Motlop came streaming through the middle of the ground to slot his first goal of the afternoon on the run from 50m out.
Shortly after the ball again spilled to the former Cat to snap his second after some excellent pressure from first-year midfielder Mead.
The pick of the bunch was his third goal, which was dribbled through expertly from the lawn bowls pocket after evasively shaking his opponent to find the narrowest of angles towards goal.
Not long after a composed Jarrod Lienert found Motlop yet again inside 50 and his accurate set shot – and fourth goal in a span of 15 minutes – was enough to ice the game despite two late goals from the Swans.
Such was Port’s control in the final term that both Swans goals came through Cox after he took a turn in the red and white. The first on the end of a quick breakaway running into an open goal and the second a neat kick around the corner to set McLean up for his third.
Pleasingly, no injuries were reported from the match.
Best: Motlop, Drew, Atley, Houston, Mead, Ladhams
Goals: Motlop 4, Farrell, Ladhams
