PORT Adelaide took its second win for 2016 by beating West Adelaide by 27 points on Saturday
The Magpies’ 2016 SANFL campaign had been tough leading into Round 7, but its game against the Bloods on Saturday afternoon at Alberton was full of heart and desperation.
The win came with three fewer rotations on the bench after injures to Colquhoun, Robbie Young and Frampton during the game.
In wet conditions the Magpies were able to break away from the defending premiers and extend their lead late in the final term.
Those braving the rain would have braced for a photo finish as Port Adelaide’s three-quarter time lead was cut to 15 points midway through the final term thanks to back-to-back goals to the Bloods’ Fielke.
But quick goals to Butcher and Tom Gray from hard running and Mitchell and Rudloff’s desperation around the ball sealed the deal for Port.
Zac Hawkins was solid in his first hit-out in the league team this year, finishing with 22 disposals, five marks and a clearance.
Palmer and Biemans led the way up forward with three goals apiece, while Kane Mitchell was an obvious standout both inside and outside the contest, finishing with 32 possessions.
Port Adelaide will search for its third win when it takes on Woodville-West Torrens at Woodville Oval next Saturday at 1.40pm.
As It Happened
First Quarter
In wet conditions the pressure on both sides to claim a win was high.
It was Robbie Young who got Port Adelaide to the start it needed by banging home the first goal of the afternoon.
Young had his midfielder to thank for the goal though - hard tackling from Mitchell and Sharrad helped get the ball inside the Magpies’ attacking 50.
West Adelaide was quick to hit back, but the Magpies managed to have its nose in front by nine points at the first break, through majors to Hewett and Howard.
In a blow for the Magpies, Sam Colquhoun was injured in a contest midway through the quarter and did not return to the field.
Second Quarter
Both sides struggled to gain any real ascendency in a scrappy, hard-fought second term.
Port Adelaide did not make use of its opportunities going forward with the slippery conditions making it difficult for Port’s execution.
Robbie Young continued to be a standout for the Magpies, using his outside run to create chances.
A goal to Biemans gave Port Adelaide a 15-point lead, but it was quickly pegged back by the Bloods through Silverlock and Webb.
Palmer gave the Magpies slight breathing space, booting his first from a holding-the-ball decision inside 50, and the home side held a seven-point advantage at the main break
Third quarter
The Magpies enjoyed an improved quarter and worked hard to attack the football ferociously.
Mitchell and Sharrad led the way in the midfield and, despite struggling to win the ball from stoppages, the pair pressured the Bloods and forced them into mistakes to create opportunities for Port.
Palmer was the shining star up forward with three goals. He totalled 18 possessions and seven marks by the end of the term.
Port Adelaide threatened to blow the game open with quick movement by hand and a few early goals, but West Adelaide continued to find something extra and kept the game alive.
The Magpies held a 20-point lead at the final break, but were challenged by continued injury issues.
Robbie Young went hard at a contest - throwing his body at the ball with desperation - and sustained a head knock for his troubles. He was carried from the ground on a stretcher.
Port Adelaide lost another man deep into the term after Billy Frampton, who had just recently returned from a foot injury, hobbled off the ground.
Fourth quarter
The Magpies had all the play early, but again failed to make the most of opportunities and scored two behinds before Butcher turned onto his left and finally snapped a goal.
At the other end Fielke proved valuable for the Bloods and his two quick majors put the visitors within 15 points.
The home side refused to give up its lead and responded well through a second major to Butcher and one to Tom Gray. Those goals ultimately sealed the deal and the Magpies had their second win of 2016.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 5.7 11.11 14.16 (100)
WEST ADELAIDE 2.1 4.6 8.9 10.13 (73)
Goals
Palmer 3, Biemans, Howard, Butcher 2, Hewett, Mitchell, Reynolds, R Young, T Gray
Disposals
Mitchell 32, Palmer 23, Hawkins 22, Amon 20, Sharrad 19
portadelaidefc.com.au’s best
Mitchell, Palmer, Biemans, Masters, Hawkins
Crowd
1,403 at Alberton Oval
