PORT ADELAIDE has succumbed to Norwood by 18 points in a hard-fought contest at Alberton Oval on Sunday.
The result was set up with a five-goal-to-one second term, which was enough to keep the Magpies at bay.
Former Redleg Anthony Wilson booted three goals and Steven Motlop’s second major after the siren left the final score at 15.4 (94) to 11.10 (76).
The Redlegs drew first blood after Ollie Lord missed an early opportunity with Josh Richards converting.
The Magpies’ defence was under siege early as the Redlegs doubled their tally through Baynen Lowe and they looked on top.
Port then flicked a switch and the game had done a 180.
Taj Schofield took a terrific mark under intense pressure to then slot the set shot home, which was shortly followed up by a bit of Steven Motlop magic.
Motlop, back in the side after being omitted from the AFL team, marked on the 50-metre arc played on and sent a massive kick through the big sticks.
Lowe would respond with his second, but the first term belonged to the Magpies.
Dylan Williams challenged Motlop for the goal of the day title, weaving in and around multiple Norwood defenders to snap a magnificent goal and give his side the lead.
Port’s quarter-time lead remained intact as Matt Panos missed a set shot on the siren and the hosts were on top by two points.
The two teams continued to exchange goal-for-goal early in the second, with Henry Nelligan converting one, before Wilson showcased his talents with a left-footed snap.
However, the Redlegs were relentless in the second term, and Port’s two-point quarter-time lead was quickly gone.
Nelligan would secure his second, before Connor McLean and a Panos double followed.
The Redlegs were winning the clearances and the tackles and the Magpies struggled to keep up, trailing by 20 points at the main break.
Port would give itself a glimmer of hope early on, as tall timber Dante Visentini dribbled one home to cut the deficit to 13 points.
However, Norwood was in form in front of goal, as McLean kicked back-to-back goals and the difference was 25 points.
The Magpies again rampaged back, with the pace of Trent Burgoyne off half-back and silky skills of Motlop beginning to take control.
However, those two took a backseat as Wilson turned Alberton Oval into his own playground.
After two missed opportunities through Ethan Moore and Schofield, Wilson pierced a ball through the big sticks for his second.
His third came a mere heartbeat later, as the Magpies won the clearance through Sam Mayes, who found Wilson, who wheeled onto his right and sent the home fans into raptures.
Port trailed by just 12 points at the final break, but it was coming home hard.
Luke Surman was thrown up forward and Jake Weidemann down back, and it paid off instantly, with the former marking and goaling in the first two minutes of the last term.
Norwood responded instantly with a swift counter, with McLean kicking his fourth and the margin was back to 12 points.
A missed shot from Ethan Moore gave Port the clichéd ‘handy point’ and Ollie Lord followed up with a major.
Lord took a towering mark, went back and converted from outside 50 to make it five points the difference 10 minutes into the last.
Panos would have his third moments later, before Mac Nield kept the Magpies alive with a snap out of the pack, to put the margin back to six points.
A rushed behind gave the Redlegs a seven-point advantage before Lowe followed-up with a goal, giving the visitors an almost insurmountable 13-point lead.
Ollie Lord marked and missed a late set shot to make it 12 points, but it was Norwood’s day.
Lowe booted another late goal, as did Sam Morris to make it a four-goal difference.
Motlop snagged a goal on the siren to cut the deficit back, but it was too little, too late.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 3.3 4.5 7.8 11.10 (76)
Norwood 3.1 8.1 10.2 15.4 (94)
Port Adelaide
Goals: Wilson 3, Motlop 2, Lord, Nield, Schofield, Surman, Visentini, Williams.
Best: Mayes, N. Moore, Corcoran, Motlop, Schofield.
