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PORT ADELAIDE has turned on a spectacular show to charge home over Sturt for their captain in his 200th game.
The day started with a guard of honour formed by Port Adelaide 200-game legends; a sign of respect for skipper Steve Summerton on his own milestone.
Sturt was the first to hit the scoreboard, but wasted their opportunity only managing a behind.
The Magpies responded, seizing control by kicking the ball out of the backline to hammer home five unanswered goals in the first term.
Brett Eddy showed signs of brilliance booting three of the Magpies' seven goals in the first quarter, but it was a team effort that held Sturt at bay as a strong midfield outfit moved the ball forward with ease.
Todd Marshall kicked off the second quarter with a set shot goal and Eddy followed shortly with a curling kick around the post; his fourth for the game.
Brendon Ah Chee was strong through the midfield providing defensive pressure across the ground and creating plenty of opportunities up forward.
Sturt started showing some signs of improvement in the back half of the second term, but Port Adelaide’s defensive blockade in Logan Austin, Riley Bonner and Jimmy Toumpas thwarted their efforts.
The Double Blues broke Port Adelaide’s momentum iafter the major break, returning with four consecutive goals with scoring totalling 5.2 to Port’s 3.2 for the term.
Sturt increased their energy in the fourth coming off a competitive third quarter, but to the Magpies’ credit they answered Sturt’s challenge and each competitive push forward was counteracted.
The Magpies stormed home with a 60-point victory, never relinquishing their control over the game.
While it wasn’t a high-possession performance for skipper Summerton, he played a brilliant defensive role for the team and also managed two goals on his 200th milestone.
Toumpas and Ah Chee were shining lights for the Magpies all day, collecting 31 and 25 disposals respectively, and Ah Chee with two goals.
The win places Port Adelaide second on the ladder just beneath percentage-leading Woodville West Torrens, who they’ll face on Saturday 20 May at Alberton Oval.
Port Adelaide will rest next week in the SANFL as the AFL team makes the historic trip to China.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide: 7.4 13.5 16.7 19.10 (124)
Sturt: 0.2 1.6 6.8 9.10 (64)
Goals: Eddy 5, Monfries 3, Marshall, Summerton, Neade, Ah Chee 2, Amon, Drew, Palmer
Best: Ah Chee, Drew, Summerton, Toumpas, Palmer, Eddy
Injuries: Nil
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