THE effort of Port Adelaide’s youth brigade has Chad Cornes excited about the possibilities of the remainder of the 2017 season.

Port Adelaide took on Central District at Alberton in a high-intensity game, what saw the Magpies break away in the second half to claim a 39-point victory.

Cornes acknowledged the competitive first half from Central put him on edge.

But he said the signs the Magpies were playing quality football were there, and reward was reaped with a five-goal-to-one third term in Port’s favour.

 “It was fairly even in the first half, but I thought we were still playing the right way,” Cornes said.

“I loved the effort today of the young guys, the first-year players I thought really stood up and lead the way.

“We started Cameron Hewett on-ball and that’s clearly the best game he’s ever played.

“Drew and Atley: it was really pleasing to see what they have got.”

Cornes credited Port’s running game for its second half surge, which saw his side finish with 58 inside-50s to the Bulldogs’ 38. 

He’s hoping his group continues to gel as the season progresses, with a small injury list affording his players plenty of on-field time together.

“Our ball movement wasn’t what we wanted in the first half a bit too stagnant and slow,” Cornes said.

“We weren’t taking it on, then something just clicked in the third quarter and we played the way we spoke about.

“When we use our run and our fitness we look pretty hard to stop.

 “The longer the season goes and the more, the boys play together and the better we play, so to keep winning games at this time of the year is a huge bonus for us.”

The Magpies sit fourth on the ladder will take on third-placed South in an away game in Noarlunga. It will be a tough battle to reclaim their position in the top three. 

“We are playing against South and I’m sure Garry Hocking has pencilled this one in.

“He will be really building up for it and have those boys going so traditionally we play better on bigger ovals which that one is.

“We have an eight-day break so will review the game really well because I think there is still a lot of growth we can get out of it.”

Port Adelaide plays South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Sunday the 4 June at 2.10pm.

More on portadelaidefc.com.au...