Port Adelaide slips to its second defeat of the season, losing by 31 points at the SCG
PORT Adelaide has suffered its second defeat of the season, losing to last year’s grand finalists the Sydney Swans at the SCG.The Power were outscored for three quarters, looking the better side only in a period of the second term during which they cut a 27-point gap to five points.But they roared back in the final term despite trailing by 44 points at the seven-minute mark.Four straight goals to Steven Salopek (two), Matt Thomas and Danyle Pearce reduced the margin to 20 points with 10 minutes still to play.But the Swans won another key centre clearance and swept forward, and O’Loughlin slammed through the game-sealer; the Swans running out winners 17.16 (118) to 13.9 (87).Shaun Burgoyne was a stand-out when the Power dominated in the second term, and he remained one of Port Adelaide’s shining lights. Kane Cornes also held his head up, adding seven tackles and a goal to his 23 possessions, while Dom Cassisi was a hard worker across half-back.With Warren Tredrea well-held, Brett Ebert stepped up as the Power’s go-to man. The 179cm forward kicked four of Port Adelaide’s eight goals to three quarter-time, and had a chance in the final term to add a fifth.Tredrea had so little joy finding a way past Swans backman Leo Barry that he was benched in the third term with just five possessions and a single behind to his name.The final-term comeback was Port Adelaide’s second dramatic fightback of the game.The Power had turned the game around after having trailed by 27 points in the first term, closing to within a kick when Shaun Burgoyne goaled at the 14-minute mark of the second quarter.It took a 60m bomb from Nick Malceski to arrest Port Adelaide’s charge.And the Swans responded, with Adam Goodes, Leo Barry and Brett Kirk at the heart of a renewed commitment across the ground and four answering goals.Swans coach Paul Roos had flagged this game mid-week as a make-or-break result for the Swans in 2007, and it was no surprise that his side began well in bright sunshine at the SCG.Quick centre clearances allowed Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Davis to get goals on the board before the Power had a chance to use the ball.A shower of goals in time-on saw the Swans took a 27-point lead into the first change.But Port Adelaide made efficient use of the few forays it did have forward, with Ebert converting coolly and Kane Cornes making the most of a late free kick to keep the margin respectable.Sydney Swans 6.4 10.9 13.14 17.16 (118)Port Adelaide 3.1 6.3 8.6 13.9 (87)GOALSSydney Swans: O’Loughlin 4, Ablett 2, Hall 2, McVeigh 2, Buchanan, Davis, Everitt, Goodes, Jolly, Malceski, Schneider Port Adelaide: Ebert 4, Motlop 2, Salopek 2, Bentley, S Burgoyne, K Cornes, Pearce, ThomasBESTSydney Swans: Ablett, Bolton, O'Loughlin, Kennelly, Malceski, Barry, Buchanan Port Adelaide: Ebert, K Cornes, P Burgoyne, Bentley, Wakelin Injuries: NilReports: NilUmpires: C Donlon M Stevic B AllenOfficial Crowd: 25,423 at the SCG
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