IT WAS always going to be a potentially tricky assignment for Port Adelaide against the Western Bulldogs in icy, windswept Ballarat on Sunday.
For the Power, who'd lost their previous two games, the equation was simple: a win over the battling Bulldogs would lift them back into the top four, while a loss could have cut them down to eighth.
Inclement conditions have been known to lessen the gap between teams, and those presented at Mars Stadium were the kind that only the most passionate supporters brave, and only the most committed players conquer.
The Bulldogs were certainly committed but Port Adelaide boasted a few bigger bodies – chief among them power forward Charlie Dixon (five goals) – and some extra polish to prevail by 44 points – 11.12 (78) to 5.4 (34) – in a waterlogged slog.
On a difficult day for tall forwards, Dixon reigned supreme, impacting with some heavy bullocking work and clever dish-offs early before hitting the scoreboard.
Power wingman Jared Polec (32 possessions) provided terrific rebound run, Ollie Wines (26) and Sam Powell-Pepper were brutal in the clinches, speedy pair Chad Wingard (25 and a goal) and Steven Motlop (one goal and three score assists) were typically creative, while defender Jack Hombsch didn't see much of the action but set a new record for playing at the most AFL venues (20).
Port’s ruck issues were solved by the return of Paddy Ryder, although his opponent, former teammate Jackson Trengove, kicked two of the Dogs’ four first-half goals and finished with 22 touches.
Midfielders Jack Macrae (36 touches and 12 clearances) and Lachie Hunter (35) were the two constants for the Bulldogs, while ex-Docker Hayden Crozier (22) played perhaps his best game for the club across half-back.
Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli, who captained his team in his 100th game after missing the past fortnight following surgery to remove his appendix, was workmanlike, but fellow leader Jason Johannisen was barely sighted.
The Bulldogs, who were restricted to their lowest ever score against Port, have lost nine of their
Despite the arctic atmosphere, Port had every right to be confident given it had won its previous two games against the Dogs – firstly in their only other clash at Ballarat in round 22 last year, and then a 57-point victory at Adelaide Oval just six weeks ago.
However, it was clear from the outset that this would be a harder fought contest, with Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis
The teams went goal for goal in the opening half – albeit just four apiece – as the heavy ball at times resembled a bar of soap and play was often bottled up on the dead southern side.
Hard, percentage football was the order of the day – finessing was risky – in what became a territory battle with goals at a premium.
At half-time Port Adelaide dominated the inside
The visitors got more reward for effort after the break, and in the third term – which has been their strongest quarter this season – they produced a decisive three-goal spurt to lead by 23 points.
The Dogs had the next 12 inside
Star forward duo Dixon and Robbie Gray sealed the deal with brilliant goals early in the final term, as Port added seven goals to one in the second half, and 4.6 to nothing in the final term.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.0 4.0 5.4 5.4 (34)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 4.4 7.6 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Dixon 5, Watts, Westhoff, Motlop, Wingard, Gray, Farrell
BEST
Dixon, Polec, Ebert, Wingard, Motlop, Wines
Official crowd: 6,450 at Mars Stadium
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