Port Adelaide has started its 2025 SANFL season with a 64-point loss to Glenelg, after a third-quarter domination by the Tigers at Alberton Oval.

Although trailing by just 10 points at half time, Port Adelaide was put to the sword in the third quarter with the Bays kicking six goals to none to pull clear.

The fourth quarter continued that narrative as the visitors piled on a further three goals to see the final score 14.14 (98) to Port Adelaide’s 4.10 (34).

Despite perfect conditions and a picturesque Alberton setting the stage for the SANFL season opener, Port Adelaide couldn’t match the occasion, allowing Glenelg to start their premiership defence strongly.

Coach Hamish Hartlett was left wanting more from his team after it fell away in the second half.

“I was really happy with the first half,” he said.

“There was some really, really positive signs and then Glenelg went to another level in that third quarter in particular, and our boys just couldn’t quite match it.”

The back-to-back reigning premiers looked a class above throughout the game, dominating the Magpies in the midfield especially. Even with Captain Nick Moore’s return from injury and strong debut performances from Jez McLennan and Jack Watkins, Port Adelaide lost the clearance count 25-37.

“We got beaten around the stoppage and then outworked outside of that… Glenelg made the most of their opportunities going forward,” Hartlett explained.

There were plenty of new faces for Port Adelaide as 10 players made their club debut. Youngsters Shay Linke and Heath Growden impressed, while more experienced recruits McLennan and Watkins were among the Magpies’ best.

“I was really happy with Linke and the way he competed; he kicked a couple of goals,” Hartlett explained. “We know he’s going to bring a great work rate and competitive spirit every week.

“Jack [Watkins] did what Jack does. He competed really well inside the contest. He found plenty of the ball, [but] he’ll be better for playing with the guys around him to learn how they operate.

“Jez [McLennan] is a tough competitor and capable of getting from contest to contest really well."

While disappointed with the second half, Hartlett said he was eager to learn from the positive start to the game.

“I want to ensure these guys understand what it takes to compete at this level, and we got a pretty good understanding of what that looks like in the first half compared to the second half.”

Port Adelaide will look to square its ledger next Saturday April 5th against Sturt at Unley from 2:10pm.

Scoreboard

PORT ADELAIDE  2.0   4.3   4.5   4.10 (34)

GLENELG              3.3  5.7  11.10  14.14 (98)

Goals: Linke 2, Whitlock, Finlayson

Best: Watkins, Linke, Williams, McLennan