Port Adelaide’s SANFL side has gone down to Norwood in its first pre-season hit-out of the 2025 campaign, finishing 18 points behind after a scrappy contest in difficult conditions.

The Magpies held a narrow lead at the final break, however last year’s grand finalists kicked the final four goals of the game to run away with the match in blustery conditions that heavily favoured one end of Alberton Oval.

Despite the loss, Sunday’s trial game provided a valuable opportunity to see an array of new and familiar faces play together for the first time, with new recruits Tom Cochrane, Benny Barrett, Christian Moraes, Jack Whitlock, Rory Atkins, and Josh Lai running out in the prison bars with a host of new SANFL-listed players for the first time.

“Definitely the whole group will be better for having a good run around together,” said coach Hamish Hartlett after the hit-out.

“It was the first time that they'd played a game together. Lots of new faces, lots of young faces, and we'll definitely learn from the experience of just playing the game together.”

Hartlett was also pleased with the adaptability of his group, praising its ability to successfully implement instructions and withhold pressure from a strong Redlegs side throughout what was an even contest. 

“From my point of view and from a coaching point of view, there were a lot of instructions that we gave them throughout the game that were implemented really well, so the ability to take in that information and then put it out there on the grass was really pleasing.

“And there were some nice moments individually as well from certain players. So yeah, all around it was pretty positive in really tricky and quite awful conditions.”

One standout amongst the Magpies outfit was rookie draft selection Tom Cochrane, who in the third quarter alone laid a strong chase down tackle in the centre of the ground, and kicked two goals to bring Port back into the game.

Under immense pressure from the experienced Norwood outfit, the teenager appeared composed and comfortable.

Port Adelaide’s pick 38 from last year’s draft Christian Moraes, and SSP rookie Josh Lai similarly caught the attention of their coaches, each looking explosive in moments on either wing. 

“I thought Tom Cochrane in particular was outstanding. He kicked a few goals, got a bit of the footy, and just showed great composure and strength around the contest.” said Hartlett.

Most eyes were fixed on Esava Ratugolea as he looked to prove his fitness and form for a return to the AFL side following knee surgery. The key defender asserted himself in the Magpies’ backline, thwarting several Norwood attacks with both intercepts and spoils. 

Ratugolea was ably assisted in defence by Rory Atkins and Dylan Williams, who each won plenty of the ball and got it moving out of the backline.

The Magpies will have another opportunity to warm up for the season when they face West Adelaide next Saturday at 10:30am in a final trial game before the regular season gets underway.

SCOREBOARD

Port Adelaide 2.2    2.3    6.7    6.9 (45)

Norwood        2.1    4.5    5.6    9.9 (63)

Goals: Cochrane 2, Visentini, Charleson, Lord, McEntee

Best: Cochrane, Ratugolea, Jackson, Moraes, Atkins