PORT ADELAIDE has gone down to North Adelaide by five points in a SANFL pre-season trial match at Alberton Oval.
An outstanding opening half saw a free-moving Port Adelaide hold a 38-point advantage at the main break before being overrun late in the game as stifling heat took its toll.
The Magpies had started well, with relentless defensive pressure keeping the Roosters goalless in the opening term.
Nick Moore opened the scoring for Port, finishing off a clean bit of movement led by captain Cam Sutcliffe’s work.
Young draftee Hugh Jackson – in his first game of 2022 following hip surgery - also made his presence felt early against his former club with a left footed snapped major out of nothing to ensure his new side led by two goals at the first change.
Another new face also provided some impact with Jackson Lee taking a strong pack mark before lacing out Luke Surman, who marked and converted.
North hit back rapidly with two successive majors through Keenan Ramsey, but the second term belonged to the Magpies.
Marty Frederick was weaving his magic with a terrific running goal which the Alberton faithful loved, before Anthony Wilson wanted a piece of the action.
Wilson missed one opportunity from a snap but made amends moments later with his first.
A gutsy effort from Jake Pasini on the wing helped set up another opportunity for the crumbing forward and he had his second in as many minutes.
The Roosters looked blown away and Ollie Lord continued to provide the highlights for the Magpies after a great lead and goal.
Trailing by 38 points at half time, Jacob Surjan’s side cut the margin early in the third through back-to-back goals to Nigel Lockyer Jnr.
Lord steadied the ship for the home side with another major, however, it would be the Magpies’ only goal for the quarter as the Roosters continued to claw their way back.
Ramsey produced the goods up forward while Aaron Young was busy in the midfield as Port held onto a 19-point buffer heading into the last term.
North came home hard and in a blink the margin was down to seven.
Off-season recruit Trent Dumont capped off a terrific individual day with his first in the black and white.
Lachie Wilsdon was doing the damage up top for the Roosters as they clawed the margin back to a point.
The Magpies missed some late chances before Harrison Elbrow goaled for North and slotted what was eventually the match-winning goal with minutes remaining.
A late clash saw Ethan Moore collect the ball but also get reported as the Magpies went down by five points.
Dumont – playing his first full game for the club after being concussed early in the recent trial against Woodville-West Torrens - was terrific with 25 touches, 10 clearances and five inside 50s, while Frederick also accumulated 25 touches.
Jackson amassed 21 disposals and a goal and Jake Pasini was busy down back with eight marks.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 2.2 8.6 9.8 10.10 (70)
North Adelaide 0.2 2.4 6.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Lord, Wilson, Surman 2, Dumont, Frederick, Jackson, Moore.
