- Magpies to play Sturt in qualifying final at Adelaide Oval next Saturday 2 September at 3.10pm
- Brett Eddy wins Ken Farmer Medal
PORT ADELAIDE has closed the home-and-away season with a defiant 40-point win over North Adelaide in a showcase of strong form ahead of finals.
A slow start for the Magpies gave the Roosters opportunities up forward, but poor kicking from the home meant those opportunities were wasted.
Robbie Young got the game going for the Magpies with the first goal of the game. He was a key player up forward all day and topped the scoreboard with four goals.
The Magpies’ defense worked hard in the first half and managed to keep the Roosters wide – Lienert’s work to clear the backline supported well by Austin and Hombsch.
The midfield was often congested and the Roosters worked hard to smother clearances and intercept passes to force turnovers.
Poor hand passes through the midfield continued to trouble the Magpies and once again most of their turnovers came from the middle of the ground.
North showed aggression when tackling in the first half to pressure their way to a nine-point lead at half time.
Tom Gray – younger brother of Power-listed Sam - opened up the scoring for the Magpies in the third quarter. His run up forward was instrumental, not only scoring his own goal but assisting in many others.
Aaron Young was once again a driving force through the centre, and he led the charge in third quarter, where the Magpies’ speed on the wing was too much for the Roosters to counter.
Jackson Trengove stepped up again and jumped into the ruck, his aggression was an asset and he finished the game with two goals and 19 disposals.
Louis Sharrad and Brendon Ah Chee shared the responsibility to push the ball into the forward 50 and finished with 28 and 27 disposals respectively.
Robbie Young celebrates an early goal [pic: Jordan Bianchini/PAFC]
Finals set
A fascinating final round of SANFL football saw a significant change to the top five, with Glenelg falling to West in a Bloods boilover at Richmond, while Central District continued its incredible late-season form to upset the minor premiers Woodville-West Torrens and jump into fifth place.
The Bulldogs will therefore play the Redlegs in the elimination final at Adelaide Oval next Saturday 2 September, before the Magpies take on the Double Blues in the qualifying final later that night.
The winner of the Port-Sturt game will earn the right to play the Eagles in the second semi final the following week.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 2.2 5.7 12.11 15.16 (106)
North Adelaide 2.3 7.4 8.5 10.6 (66)
Goals
R. Young 4, Eddy 3, Trengove 2, Sharrad, Palmer, A. Young, T. Gray, Drew, Krakouer
Best
Sharrad, R. Young, A. Young, Ah Chee, Atley, Trengove
Injuries
Nil
At Prospect Oval
