Yartapuulti was victorious over West Adelaide in an electrifying contest at Alberton Oval during the SANFL First Nations Round.
Scores were level at half-time before the contested work of the Magpies saw them finish the game as 10-point victors.
Xavier Duursma (2 goals, 18 disposals, four i50s) featured prominently in the hard-fought contest in his return from a PCL tear, said coach Tyson Goldsack.
“[Duursma] found his hands on the ball, which is often the hard part,” he said.
“He seemed to be moving fine without issue, and he said he pulled up okay, so that’s good.”
Goldsack praised the consistency of the team, who will be hoping to finish the round in the top five.
“Into the five is a good result, depending on the North v Adelaide game tomorrow, but it’s something we’ve been chasing a little bit, we just haven’t been able to sneak in there,” he said.
“Today we get there, which is a nice – a bit of reward for the way the guys have been playing and how consistent we have been playing.
“We've lost a few games by close margins, dropped the last game against Norwood that we probably shouldn’t have, so it's nice to get the win and get in the five.”
The first quarter was a free-flowing affair, as Duursma opened the scoring for the match with a goal and his trademark bow and arrow celebration.
West Adelaide replied, and the teams traded goals until Yartapuulti wrestled control with three goals in a row, securing the quarter-time lead.
The Bloods dominated play for the first half of the second quarter, kicking four straight goals to snatch the lead from the Magpies before Yartapuulti responded, tying scores at the main break.
The second half began with a Jackson Mead goal to put Yartapuulti back in front, however inaccurate scoring from the Magpies kept West Adelaide firmly in the contest.
The Bloods finished the quarter by kicking three goals in a row, and the stage was set for a nail-biting final term.
Neither side could take hold of the game when the final quarter began, exchanging behinds until Tom Scully kicked his first major of the day to increase Yartapuulti’s lead.
West Adelaide was unable to counter, and the Magpies ran out the game to secure a thrilling victory.
Goldsack expressed the importance of the SANFL-listed players, who played a key part in deciding the result.
“In the first half of today’s game, [the SANFL-listed players] were probably the better performers,” he said.
“Their contest was really strong, their commitment was clearly there and a few of the AFL-listed players were found wanting a little bit.
“The Maggies boys just stepped up and everyone else joined in in the second half and it was a bit more of a team effort.
“I haven’t questioned their effort and their attitude all year and I certainly can’t do that today.”
Yartapuulti will play Woodville-West Torrens next Saturday at 2:10pm at Maughan Thiem Oval.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 5.3 7.4 10.8 13.14 (92)
West Adelaide 3.2 7.4 10.6 12.10 (82)
Goals: Moore 3, Duursma, Ferrari 2, Evans, Scully, Hagan, Mead, Jackson, Lord
Best: Moore, Mead, Evans, Hayes, Ferrari
