A final quarter blowout saw Port Adelaide run out 38-point winners over the Bulldogs, here's what we learned...
1. Chad is pushing his best…
Chad was one of Port Adelaide's best on Saturday... [pic: AFL Photos]
Chad Wingard was a full-game player on Saturday night. His pressure around the ground, his movement and clutch goalkicking, his unselfishness to square up better options late in the game when he could have blazed away, these are all elements of the full-game player. Not only did he produce all night, it was consistent, largely effective, and the Chad we love most.
He's been a quiet contributor this year, this was a loud performance.
REPORT: Power gets the job done
VOTE: Wok in a Box Fans' MVP
2. Bullocks beats Bulldogs..
...so was Ollie. Who was your BOG? Have your say [pic: AFL Photos]
Few should still be waiting for Port's emerging inside mid to show what he can do, but if you were, his effort on Saturday was superb. Despite burning the ball early at times, his endeavour is something that should have quelled any fan's early concerns. Then he produced a big bullocking performance for the rest of the game on a night where a strong contested ball-winner was going to go a long way to helping seal a result.
HINKLEY: Persistence pays off
PTV: Hinkley post-match presser
3. Sharing is caring
All these guys kicked goals on Saturday... [pic: AFL Photos]
Team care is something Ken Hinkley wanted to define Port Adelaide coming out of its bare May, and if the work of the team on Saturday night is anything to go by, the Power have heeded his call. 12 individual goal kickers and a fair spread of contributors on the night showed players were willing to put up their hand, but importantly players were willing to spot and support teammates going forward to help in its handful of important goal surges.
It's been great watching, it just needs to be consistent and this is one of few full games we've seen it happen this year.
REVIEWS: Macca's top five
TALKING POINTS: Power v Bulldogs
4. Size doesn't matter
Port's smalls - like Sam Gray - have been solid this fortnight [pic: AFL Photos]
Sam Gray and Karl Amon are showing they've got what it takes to mix it with the big boys. Gray, as a rookie, will always fight an uphill battle to earn a place in the senior team, and relies primarily on misfortunes to regular list players to get a chance, but he's taken his opportunities in the last two games. After a tough start against Richmond, he was solid against Melbourne and took another step against Western Bulldogs (what a goal that was!) Amon is an emerging forward-mid and showed some brilliant decision-making and drive for the footy on Saturday.
We like what we're seeing!
PLAYER VIEW: Monfries, Jonas, Lobbe
INJURY: None from Round 10, Polec update
5. That door is going to take some knocking
Port Adelaide isn't even halfway through the year, but the next half of the season is mountainous. [pic: AFL Photos]
At five and five, Port Adelaide is exactly where it finished the first 10 rounds of 2013. From there it produced uneven form to make its first finals appearance since 2007. The expectations are higher this year, and with both the club's AFL and SANFL sides producing inconsistent performances so far this season, the focus will really be on maintaining recent winning form.
Against the riot-running Cats next Friday, Port Adelaide will face one of its toughest challenges, and one that could be a measuring stick for the rest of its season.
SANFL: Magpies get over the line
CLUREY: Young back signs new deal
