IT was an average April for Port Adelaide, but maybe May will be more fruitful for Ken Hinkley's men.
Certainly their 77-point thumping of Brisbane on Sunday night - marking consecutive victories for the first time in 2016 - was laced with promising signs for the Power.
It wasn't a four-quarter performance, but there was plenty to like about the final three terms as Port broke the game open after the first break with a a seven-to-one goal burst.
The surge was generated from Port's renewed stoppage-winning prowess, with Jackson Trengove proving surprisingly versatile as a primary ruckman for the Power.
25 disposals,13 clearances superstar effort by @Jacksontrengove @PAFC #3votes
— Marie Trimboli (@trimbalize) May 8, 2016
While he wasn't able to match Brisbane's regular ruck Stefan Martin at stoppages, he was able to win plenty of ball at ground level with six clearances to half time.
Early shots from today's game thanks to @AFLphotos#weareportadelaide #AFLPowerLions pic.twitter.com/qRJC6FK7CV
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) May 8, 2016
Things became processional for Port Adelaide after half time as it controlled all the play with unrelenting attack on the ball and numerous chains setting up the Power's scoreboard success.
Most encouraging was the success for Port Adelaide at stoppages.
By the end of the game the Power was scoring freely from turnovers, but the Power was able to impose itself when the game was in dispute through wins at stoppages.
Ollie Wines was back to his bullocking best with an impeccable performance inside the contests, along with Boak and Trengove and Aaron Young who all provided excellent support at ground level.
Firepower up forward
Port hasn't looked this exciting up forward in 2016.
Dixon bagged five after working his way into the game as a reliable contested mark.
But it was the ability of the Power's smaller forward options to create opportunity.
Wingard, Westhoff and Young all bagged three goals when the game was in dispute to put the Lions on ice.
Eleven individual goal scorers would also please the Port faithful, although many of those came after Port had already extended its margin after quarter time.
Aaron Young continues to play an important role in attack. He kicked three on Sunday. [pic: AFL Media]
Loving every second of being at Adelaide oval watching @PAFC !! @AaronYoung40 putting on a spesh today #weareportadelaide
— David Carosi (@Dave_Carosi11) May 8, 2016
The best bits
Young collects the crumbs and goals for @PAFC #AFLPowerLions https://t.co/tBu1qzJhcL
— AFL (@AFL) May 8, 2016
Unbelievable courage from @brendonahchee41! Great mark running back with the flight late in this second term! #AFLPowerLions
— FIVEaa (@1395FIVEaa) May 8, 2016
Ah Chee with great courage! #aflpowerlions
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) May 8, 2016
Impey goes bang! The Power extend their lead #AFLPowerLions https://t.co/LDVxcVdxdc
— AFL (@AFL) May 8, 2016
How's the side-step from Neade? #AFLPowerLions #skills https://t.co/30Amo4mfiu
— AFL (@AFL) May 8, 2016
Port Adelaide are powering home at Adelaide Oval! ⚡️ https://t.co/FW7HpffIAQ
— AFL (@AFL) May 8, 2016
What the faithful are saying...
Port's back to playing Port footy...
Confidence & belief is back! Proud of the @PAFC boys today & the 4 qtr effort.
— Port Adelaide 1870 (@1870Port) May 8, 2016
Well done to everyone who got to AO.#weareportadelaide
Solid performance. That's the kind of @PAFC footy we all know and love
— Dorina-Rose (@DeeRose_9) May 8, 2016
A rising star nomination for Byrne-Jones?
Rising Star nomination for @PAFC Darcy Byrne-Jones please @AFL #AFLPowerLions
— Jason De Luca (@DeLuca_JD) May 8, 2016
Is Jackson Trengove the answer to Port's ruckman shortage?
Great effort and much needed % boost for @PAFC led by Trengove in ruck... His best game for the club @1395FIVEaa
— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) May 8, 2016
@PAFC @Jacksontrengove One thing must remain and that is Jackson in ruck ALWAYS! Am gob smacked at what he did there tonight! Keep him there
— Chrisp_Power89 (@NTUA1870) May 8, 2016
After raining all day...
Beautiful evening at the footy, go the Power! @PAFC #weareportadelaide @adelaideoval pic.twitter.com/T5EKtSirhb
— katrina (@KatrinaPenna) May 8, 2016
What an evening! @PAFC @TheAdelaideOval @TourismAus pic.twitter.com/jFor8HVgHH
— Jase Kemp (@jasetaylorkemp) May 8, 2016
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE | BRISBANE LIONS |
3.1 10.5 14.7 21.10 (136) | 4.4 5.6 5.13 7.17 (59) |
GOALS
Dixon 5, Wingard, Westhoff, Young 3, Broadbent, Neade, Ebert, Impey, Wines, Pittard, Polec
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
Wines, Trengove, Pittard, Boak, Ebert, Young
DISPOSALS
Boak 31, Pittard, Wines 30, Trengove 25
INJURIES
O'Shea (corked back), Young (corked leg)
REPORTS
nil
CROWD
32,399 at the Adelaide Oval