PORT ADELAIDE has closed out its SANFL campaign for 2021 by ending Glenelg’s unbeaten run in a stirring 36-point victory at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
Matthew Lokan’s side welcomed back some experience, including Hamish Hartlett, Sam Mayes and Jarrod Lienert among others, and did most of the damage in a high-pressure, high-energy eight goals to three first half before winning 11.8 (74) to 5.8 (38).
After a hard-fought first 10 minutes, Port drew first blood after Jake Westbrook received the ball in the pocket and converted the set shot.
The Tigers responded almost immediately after receiving back-to-back 25-metre penalties, which allowed Matthew Snook to convert.
However, the Magpies weren’t behind for long as Jake Weidemann rifled a strike home off the ground after a fortunate bounce in the square.
Dylan Williams set sights on his first from outside 50 and launched it home, before Lachlan Hosie goaled for Glenelg.
Yet it was all about Port Adelaide late in the first quarter as Williams snuck out the back of a pack and slammed home his second, which was followed by an up and under snap from Cam Sutcliffe which sailed through.
Tom Clurey got the job on Glenelg spearhead Liam McBean and had his number early.
Port led by 17 points and Sam Powell-Pepper opened the account for the second stanza with one of the goals of the year.
He received the ball in the Allan Scott Headquarters-side pocket under heavy pressure and snapped through on a tight angle to send the Port fans into raptures.
The Tigers got another back through Brad Agnew but the confidence was high among the Magpies boys.
Williams snapped out of a pack for his third major of the afternoon and Mitch Georgiades put the cherry on the cake of a blistering opening half by slamming a goal home from point blank range.
Boyd Woodcock and Sam Mayes were having a blast in the midfield, picking up touches at will, while Sam Hayes was commanding in the ruck.
Powell-Pepper was precautionarily withdrawn with a cork at half-time as the Magpies led by 31 points.
The Tigers kept most of the ball in their half for the third term, but were unable to do much damage as Clurey, Jake Pasini and Jarrod Lienert held the fort.
McBean was the sole goalkicker for the Tigers, as they again capitalised on a 25-metre penalty, converting the set shot from 35 metres out.
The Magpies fought hard under siege, and held a 23-point advantage at the final change, heading into the last quarter with the wind behind them.
That wind proved to be a handy advantage as Georgiades took a strong mark on the 50-metre line before finding Joel Garner on his own, and he kicked the first of the last.
The celebrations started when Hamish Hartlett put another home from a set shot to make it a 35-point margin in time on.
McBean kicked a late consolation for his second, but Jed McEntee wasn’t done, as he ran into 50 and blasted home a checkside kick.
Woodcock had 27 touches and Mayes had 26 in the middle, while skipper Cam Sutcliffe had six clearances and a goal to go with 25 disposals.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 5.2 8.6 8.6 11.8 (74)
Glenelg 2.3 3.5 4.7 5.8 (38)
Port Adelaide
Goals: Williams 3, Georgiades, Hartlett, Sutcliffe, Westbrook, Garner, McEntee, Powell-Pepper, Weidemann.
Best: Sutcliffe, Mayes, Woodcock, Williams, Clurey, Mead
