Looking back
The season couldn’t have started better for Port Adelaide as its players rallied against an almost full-strength St Kilda to prevail by four points in the last game of the aptly named “Opening Round” of season 2012. Hamish Hartlett starred for the club with an outstanding performance running off half-back, with a goal to boot and a number of heroic game-saving performances. He was supported ably across the ground by Kane Cornes with a massive 27 disposals, Brad Ebert in a standout debut for the Power and emerging talent Chad Wingard with a number of thrilling plays. The large crowd at AAMI Stadium was as vocal as ever and cheered the boys home against a tough top eight side. The performance was even more notable given the absence of key back Jackson Trengrove and midfield-forward Robbie Gray.
[ Related: Quarter by Quarter ]
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 13.11 (89) def
St Kilda 13.7 (85)
Best: Hartlett, Chaplin, Carlile, Surjan, Cornes, Brad Ebert, McCarthy, Cassisi
Goals: Schulz, Westhoff, Ebert 2, D. Stewart, Hartlett, Boak, Rodan, McCarthy.
The Coach, Matthew Primus
"It’s good to win the tight games... and it gives a big lift to the players. It was a great win to get some belief out of all the work that we’ve done and the platform it’s given us is very good. As I keep saying, what the boys have done in the pre-season as a whole group is significantly better than this time last year in terms of numbers on the track. It’s why it was difficult to pick a team this week, and why it will again be difficult next week. Does that translate into us being more competitive? I’d like to think so."
[ Related: Quarter by Quarter ]
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 13.11 (89) def
St Kilda 13.7 (85)
Best: Hartlett, Chaplin, Carlile, Surjan, Cornes, Brad Ebert, McCarthy, Cassisi
Goals: Schulz, Westhoff, Ebert 2, D. Stewart, Hartlett, Boak, Rodan, McCarthy.
The Coach, Matthew Primus
"It’s good to win the tight games... and it gives a big lift to the players. It was a great win to get some belief out of all the work that we’ve done and the platform it’s given us is very good. As I keep saying, what the boys have done in the pre-season as a whole group is significantly better than this time last year in terms of numbers on the track. It’s why it was difficult to pick a team this week, and why it will again be difficult next week. Does that translate into us being more competitive? I’d like to think so."
"I don’t think we had anyone who really dominated the game. Our midfield group really performed well, our backs played well all night, and then there were times when our key forwards really alternated in standing up, taking marks and making a contest. It’s given us a good look at what some of these guys can do."
The debutant, Chad Wingard
"The crowd, the sheer crowd, you could see from the facial expression of the boys how excited they were. Some of the guys said it felt like winning a final, and obviously I haven’t played for Port Adelaide in a proper round game. The feeling was just amazing and there’s a very positive feeling around the club. It’s a just big confidence booster - St Kilda are a very good side and have been for the last five or six years - so to get a win against them in a hard fought battle is good. ”
Stats stack
Kicks: Hartlett 21, McCarthy 15, Brad Ebert 14, Cassisi, Cornes 12
Handballs: Cornes 15, Wingard 13, Thomas, Boak 11
Disposals: Cornes 27, Hartlett 26, McCarthy 23, Cassisi, Brad Ebert 21
Marks: P. Stewart 7, McCarthy, Schulz 6
Tackles: Brad Ebert 12, Thomas 10, Cassisi 6, Schulz 5
Dream Team: Brad Ebert 129, Hartlett 109, Cornes 97, McCarthy 96
Chip in to help Fiji
Port Adelaide has two proud Fijian players in David Rodan and Alipate Carlile. Rodan is the South Australian representative of the AFL Multicultural Ambassador program. Recently, Fiji has been swept by severe flooding and both David and Alipate are asking people to give what they can in terms of money or other donations to help those who have been affected on the island nation. To donate visit pacificsmiles.org or alternatively fans are welcome to donate essential items such as blankets, pre-loved clothing, toiletries and non-perishable food to the club’s Alberton headquarters
[ Related: Help support Fiji ]
Defensive unit on the attack
With four defenders ranking in the best players against St Kilda, the Power has a solid base with which to rebound opposition inside 50s. Paul Stewart says that Brad Gotch’s pre-season drilling of the players has them better positioned than ever, and after Sunday night’s performance the proof appears to be in the pudding. Defensive efforts were certainly all the rage with Stewart leading the marks and Matt Thomas and Brad Ebert maxing out on tackles for the game with nine and eleven respectively.
The debutant, Chad Wingard
"The crowd, the sheer crowd, you could see from the facial expression of the boys how excited they were. Some of the guys said it felt like winning a final, and obviously I haven’t played for Port Adelaide in a proper round game. The feeling was just amazing and there’s a very positive feeling around the club. It’s a just big confidence booster - St Kilda are a very good side and have been for the last five or six years - so to get a win against them in a hard fought battle is good. ”
Stats stack
Kicks: Hartlett 21, McCarthy 15, Brad Ebert 14, Cassisi, Cornes 12
Handballs: Cornes 15, Wingard 13, Thomas, Boak 11
Disposals: Cornes 27, Hartlett 26, McCarthy 23, Cassisi, Brad Ebert 21
Marks: P. Stewart 7, McCarthy, Schulz 6
Tackles: Brad Ebert 12, Thomas 10, Cassisi 6, Schulz 5
Dream Team: Brad Ebert 129, Hartlett 109, Cornes 97, McCarthy 96
Chip in to help Fiji
Port Adelaide has two proud Fijian players in David Rodan and Alipate Carlile. Rodan is the South Australian representative of the AFL Multicultural Ambassador program. Recently, Fiji has been swept by severe flooding and both David and Alipate are asking people to give what they can in terms of money or other donations to help those who have been affected on the island nation. To donate visit pacificsmiles.org or alternatively fans are welcome to donate essential items such as blankets, pre-loved clothing, toiletries and non-perishable food to the club’s Alberton headquarters
[ Related: Help support Fiji ]
Defensive unit on the attack
With four defenders ranking in the best players against St Kilda, the Power has a solid base with which to rebound opposition inside 50s. Paul Stewart says that Brad Gotch’s pre-season drilling of the players has them better positioned than ever, and after Sunday night’s performance the proof appears to be in the pudding. Defensive efforts were certainly all the rage with Stewart leading the marks and Matt Thomas and Brad Ebert maxing out on tackles for the game with nine and eleven respectively.
Legends present guernseys
One of the oldest clubs in the nation, Port Adelaide had the privilege of having Trevor Obst and Greg Phillips on hand to assist in the presentation of guernseys to club debutants before the Saints game. It was a proud moment indeed for club legend Obst who was able to present the number 7 jumper to his grandson Brad Ebert, who wears the number made famous by his four-time Magarey Medal winning uncle Russell. Phillips, himself an SANFL and VFL Magpie, presented to ex-Collingwood recruit John McCarthy.
One of the oldest clubs in the nation, Port Adelaide had the privilege of having Trevor Obst and Greg Phillips on hand to assist in the presentation of guernseys to club debutants before the Saints game. It was a proud moment indeed for club legend Obst who was able to present the number 7 jumper to his grandson Brad Ebert, who wears the number made famous by his four-time Magarey Medal winning uncle Russell. Phillips, himself an SANFL and VFL Magpie, presented to ex-Collingwood recruit John McCarthy.
[ Related: Guernsey presentation video ]
Good Friday training at Alberton
In what is becoming a mainstay of the Port Adelaide’s Easter week preparations, fans will be able to head along to Alberton Oval on Good Friday to watch the club train from 10.00am. The ‘Captain’s Run’ is a great chance for the club faithful to check out the boys in their stride at the club’s spiritual home. Younger supporters will also be able to score an Easter egg for their trouble!
See Foxtel Cup for free
The AFL-sanctioned Foxtel Cup comes to Adelaide on Saturday with Port Adelaide’s SANFL brigade hosting the Subiaco Lions. The Foxtel Cup is effectively a ‘champions league’ for the state level competitions, with the Magpies one of many sides from the SANFL, VFL, WAFL, Tasmanian and Northern Territory Leagues and the newly formed North Eastern Football League. The first bounce is at 10.35am at AAMI Stadium with free parking and entry for spectators.
[ Related: The song ]
The AFL-sanctioned Foxtel Cup comes to Adelaide on Saturday with Port Adelaide’s SANFL brigade hosting the Subiaco Lions. The Foxtel Cup is effectively a ‘champions league’ for the state level competitions, with the Magpies one of many sides from the SANFL, VFL, WAFL, Tasmanian and Northern Territory Leagues and the newly formed North Eastern Football League. The first bounce is at 10.35am at AAMI Stadium with free parking and entry for spectators.
[ Related: The song ]
Port Adelaide travels to Etihad Stadium for the second round of the 2012 AFL Premiership. Playing Essendon, the Power has an impressive record against the Dons - winning six of the last seven games between the sides, including three on the Docklands turf.
It will be an important test for the club, lining up against its second 2011 finallist in as many weeks. Port Adelaide will again be tested at selection, with a number of players putting in good performances in the state league, as well as proving well drilled at training. Teams will be released on Thursday night and confirmed by Friday.
The last five
Round 23 2011, Etihad Stadium - Port Adelaide 17.11 (133) def by Essendon 17.18 (120)
Round 7 2010, Etihad Stadium - Port Adelaide 17.7 (109) def Essendon 16.10 (106)
Round 1 2009, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 15.17 (107) def Essendon 9.12 (66)
Round 7 2008, Etihad Stadium - Port Adelaide 15. 4 (94) def Essendon 24.14 (158)
Round 12 2007, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 19.12 (126) def Essendon 13.17 (95)
The Black and the White
Port Adelaide went down to Sturt at Unley Oval, despite clawing back a six-goal quarter time deficit. Playing against a Double Blues outfit laden with six AFL-listed players, the Magpies persisted throughout, but were unable to strike any significant advantage and were ultimately punished for a sluggish start to the match.
Port Adelaide’s next challenge is the Subiaco Lions at AAMI Stadium on Saturday morning, for the first knockout round of the 2012 Foxtel Cup.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 15.14 (104) def by
Sturt 17.8 (110)
Best: Rose, Hoskin, Meiklejohn, Cockshell, Gray
Goals: Gray 3, Harder, Banner, Kirkwood 2, Clayton, Slattery, Erskine, Hoskin, Thurgood, Young.
Next match: Foxtel Cup at AAMI Stadium, Saturday 7 April, 10.35am.
Next SANFL match: Round 4 home at Alberton Oval, Sunday 15 April, League starts 2.10pm, Reserves 11.25am.
