PORT ADELAIDE remains winless after four SANFL games after it succumbed to Sturt by 13 points at a warm and windy Alberton Oval on Sunday.
Despite a host of changes to the inexperienced line-up which went down to Norwood last week, the Magpies finished with the same result.
The home side was kept goalless in the last quarter, giving up a 14-point lead mid-way through the third before Abe Davis kicked his third goal after the final siren to seal the 7.8 (50) to 9.9 (63) result.
The Magpies started in similar fashion to last week, booting the first through the returning Xavier Duursma, who celebrated with his trademark bow and arrow.
He was busy throughout the contest, winning more of the ball than anyone else on his side. He finished with 27 disposals, five tackles and six clearances to go with his goal in his first game back following a fortnight on the sidelines with injury.
The Double Blues missed multiple opportunities in the first quarter before a turned over kick in the goal square allowed Davis to convert their first.
However, Dylan Williams, who kicked six against Sturt last season, started in style with a beautiful set shot to give his side the lead back.
Sturt registered a late goal through James Richards and to ensure the Magpies trailed at the first change by two points.
The Double Blues had control of the game for the majority of the second quarter despite two magic moments from Anthony Wilson.
Ball-winner Patrick Wilson opened the scoring for the visitors, before his Port Adelaide namesake scored his first, out pacing two opponents for a magic running goal inside 50.
The Double Blues then went back-to-back and were on top, extending the margin to 11 points deep.
However, a move which would’ve impressed the Harlem Globetrotters allowed Wilson to dribble through a magic goal and ensure his side trailed by only five points at the main change.
The premiership quarter would belong to the Magpies, as Jake Weidemann was caught high and converted the free kick to give them the lead.
Ethan Moore and Lachie Jones both missed shots, before Trent Burgoyne went nailed consecutive majors to give Port a buffer.
Sturt rallied once more and Anzac Lochowiak ran into open goal just before the three-quarter-time siren to cut the Magpies’ lead to six points at the final change, setting up a mouth-watering final term.
It took 30 seconds for the Double Blues to level the scores as Josh Hone received a handball over the top to goal.
Patrick Wilson scored a point, then goaled to give the visitors an eight-point buffer.
Anthony Wilson had an opportunity to cut the lead to within a goal late, but missed in the blustery conditions.
Davis’s goal after the siren ensured it was a 13-point result to the visitors, consigning Matthew Lokan’s side to its fourth straight loss.
Sam Mayes (23 disposals, 11 tackles, three clearances) and Jackson Mead (22 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances) also saw plenty of action while Jake Pasini put in several desperate defensive actions in another resolute performance in the backline.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 2.1 4.5 7.7 7.8 (50)
Sturt 2.3 5.4 6.7 9.9 (63)
Port Adelaide
Goals: Wilson, T. Burgoyne 2, Weidemann, Williams, Duursma.
Best: Pasini, Schofield, Lord, Duursma, Frederick
