PORT Adelaide has finished with a flurry to continue its love affair with Metricon Stadium by defeating Greater Western Sydney by 17 points on Sunday afternoon.
The Power led by just three points at three-quarter time and Jeremy Finlayson's early goal, courtesy of a clever assist from 150-gamer Toby Greene, gave the Giants the perfect start to the fourth quarter.
That was before Power coach Ken Hinkley got the response he was looking for in his 300th VFL/AFL game as player and coach.
His side kicked four quick goals in succession to break away and seal the 9.9 (63) to 6.10 (46) result.
Despite a slow start with just one goal kicked between the two teams in the opening term, Power young gun Connor Rozee sparked the match to life with some classy efforts to help set up two goals.
First, he desperately kept the ball alive for Robbie Gray to conjure a clever snap after a neat 1-2 with Brad Ebert, before Rozee dazzled the Giants on the boundary and his team-first kick to the top of the square resulted in a Steven Motlop major.
From there it was an arm-wrestle with Charlie Dixon’s goal after the three-quarter time siren keeping Port in front at the final change by just three points.
The Giants booted the first goal of the last term through Finlayson before Port hit back with the next four. Kane Farrell’s long bomb from outside 50 after a quick hand off by Zak Butters was the pick of the bunch.
The win keeps Port Adelaide a game clear on top of the ladder, although fourth-placed Essendon has a game in hand.
The Giants will now host Brisbane at Giants Stadium next Saturday afternoon, while the Power will face Carlton at the Gabba next Sunday.
When Harry Met Bradley…
The only excitement from a lacklustre first quarter was when Power star Brad Ebert was put on report in the opening minutes for high contact on Harry Perryman. During a weekend which has already included several heavy hits, this will be another incident to keep Match Review Officer Michael Christian busy. Pleasingly for Ebert, the Giant was able to get to his feet and play out the game. Perryman may also come under scrutiny himself for a swinging arm on Ollie Wines early in the second quarter.
Midfield back on top
The Power made a statement at the selection table this week by dropping veteran midfielder Tom Rockliff. After being "beaten up badly around the ball" in last week's loss to the Lions, the Power beat the Giants in clearances 41-25, centre clearances 12-4, stoppage clearances 29-21 and contested possessions 131-129. Dan Houston lifted to lead the way in the engine room with 22 disposals, with 11 of those contested.
As good as Gold
The Gold Coast has been very good to the Power. They started off this crazy season with a win at Metricon Stadium against the Suns before the season shutdown. Since being based at the Gold Coast hub, the Power have won all three of their games at the venue, with their only loss in Queensland coming against Brisbane at the Gabba last week. The win makes it nine wins in nine matches at the Gold Coast venue for Port Adelaide.
PORT ADELAIDE 1.2 4.4 5.6 9.9 (63)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.1 2.5 4.9 6.10 (46)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Boak, Amon, Gray, Motlop, Dixon, Powell-Pepper, Farrell, Marshall, Butters
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 2, Greene, Whitfield, Finlayson, Ash
BEST
Port Adelaide: Farrell, Boak, Hartlett, Powell-Pepper, Houston, Amon
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Coniglio, Haynes, Greene, Cameron
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Sutcliffe (hamstring)
Greater Western Sydney: Lloyd (delayed concussion)
