PORT ADELAIDE returned to the winners’ list with a heart stopping two-point win over reigning premier Richmond in a blockbuster Friday night game at Adelaide Oval.
There were seven lead changes and neither side got more than 13 points in front at any time in a game that had spectators on the edge of their seats throughout.
Here are some key things we learned from the game.
1) Contest challenge accepted
Against West Coast in Perth in Round 3, Port Adelaide was beaten up around the contest, losing the contested possession battle 152-135 and being smashed in the clearances 41-27. Coach Ken Hinkley said his side’s game was built on hunt, aggression and pressure on the ball, challenging his side to return to its brand of footy against the Tigers. Port did exactly that, winning the contested battle 154-119 and the clearances 36-24 including 22 to 13 at the stoppages around the ground.
2) Robbie Gray is an ice man
We raved about Robbie Gray winning the game late on against St Kilda after the over the back ruck tap from Paddy Ryder back in 2017 and were astounded about his ability to do it again after the siren against Carlton at the Gabba last year, so we shouldn’t have been shocked when he bobbed up again at a crucial time to kick a clutch goal against the Tigers with four minutes remaining. It wasn’t enough that he took a strong mark under immense pressure while being manhandled by his opponent but to go back and nail the set shot in front of the Richmond cheer squad showed Robbie Gray really does have ice in his veins. It wasn’t just at one end either; Gray then found himself deep inside defensive 50 with 70 seconds to go and three Tigers players bearing down on him and had the composure and smarts to rush the behind and give his side a kick-out and more comfortable possession.
3) Lachie Jones is already a fan favourite
Lachie Jones stands out. The 35th player to make his AFL/VFL debut on his birthday and second Port player behind Darren Mead to do so, is built like a 30-year-old and has the mullet hair cut and moustache to match. The term cult hero is completely fitting for the teenager who was cheered every time he went near the ball. And he backed it up with his play. Playing off half-back on Friday night, he read the play well and was comfortable coming off his opponent, recording 17 disposals, eight intercepts and six marks. Coach Ken Hinkley said he was a powerful unit and he looked forward to seeing him in the Port Adelaide colours for a long time. We think the supporters will be hoping for the same if Friday night is anything to go by.
4) Port has heart to go with its talent
With injuries mounting, Port Adelaide stuck to its game and hung firm to grind out a gritty result against a very good Richmond outfit. There was Connor Rozee’s early corkie that had him in discomfort for the rest of the game, and ankle injury to Orazio Fantasia, corkies suffered by defenders Tom Clurey and Aliir Aliir, Scott Lycett clashed heads with Nathan Broad and then respective ankle and knee injuries to young fliers Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma that saw them removed from the game, yet Port kept fighting. Much has been made of the talent on Port’s list but there is also a lot of heart and a want to win. A result like that will give the side a lot of belief. The next test will be of Port’s depth with Duursma and Butters certain to miss Saturday’s game against Carlton and likely to spend further time on the sidelines.
5) Port likes playing the premiers
There is something about the games between Port Adelaide and Richmond in recent years that has the AFL world excited. And there is something about Port coming up against the reigning AFL premier that brings out the best in the boys from Alberton. Since 2013, Port Adelaide has won nine of its ten games against the reigning AFL champion. There was the 18 point win against Sydney in 2013, a 14 point win over Hawthorn in Round 10, 2014, double wins against Hawthorn in 2015, victory over the Western Bulldogs by 17 points in 2017, a win over West Coast by 42 points in 2019 and of course three wins over Richmond (in 2018, 2020 and now 2021). Hinkley offered the following explanation for that record: “We want to be the premier and you’ve got to beat the premier if you’re at some stage going to be the premier,” he said. “We chase that with our eyes wide open and know you’ve got to beat the best.”
