A SCORELESS final term has seen the Power lose its opening NAB Challenge match to Sydney in a close, rain-marred encounter in Blacktown.

The Power went in with the majority of its first 22 sitting on the sidelines. 

But with a forward line missing players like Schulz, Westhoff, Wingard, Robbie Gray and new recruit Charlie Dixon, Port found its way toward goal with a makeshift attack.

Sam Colquhoun booted two goals, Jared Polec managed a supergoal and the Power was able to find and retain possession in the first half.

Despite being overrun, the young playing group will take heart from salvaging a 21-point loss and having led most of the game.

Positives aplenty

Whether it was the encouraging return of Jared Polec, the manful ruckwork of Dougal Howard or the touch of runners like Sam Gray, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Karl Amon, there were many positives Ken Hinkley will take out of the game.

Those with more experience - players like Sam Colquhoun and Jake Neade - also worked hard to win the football and convert opportunities in attack.

And off-season recruit Jimmy Toumpas put in a solid first showing in Power colours, winning the ball and finishing as one of his side's most effective ball users. 

Port Adelaide next plays Melbourne at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday 27 February.

 

MATCH REVIEW

FIRST QUARTER

Port Adelaide, being undermanned, was surprisingly effective from the get-go. Port doubled the Swans for inside-50s early but failed to convert on the scoreboard - taking just 24 points away from nine scoring shots.

Dougal Howard shared ruck duties with Jackson Trengove and was impressive early - winning the ground ball and putting it into attack.

Jake Neade, Matt White and Karl Amon offered ball-winning legs around the ground, with White converting the first of the match. 

He was shortly followed by Will Snelling and Brendon Ah Chee.

SECOND QUARTER

The Power's promising start was only brief, Sydney smacked home two goals early in the second term.

Sydney's superiority on paper should have led to a win, but Port Adelaide found ways to score from its B-tier forward line - one devoid of Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard and new recruit Charlie Dixon.

After Sinclair and Cunningham put the Swans back in the lead, the Power arrested the momentum from stoppages and then went back into attack to return to the lead via a booming supergoal from Jared Polec and a clever setup from Neade to Colquhoun.

Still, the Swans had the ascendancy and with Dean Towers tearing Port's immature defence apart with two goals and a nine-pointer. 

Colquhoun's second straight set shot kick delivered the Power a bigger lead, which it held to the half time siren. 

THIRD QUARTER

Surprise leaders at half time, the Power kept finding ways to keep their noses in front, mainly through good movement and improvisation at ground level. 

Neade and Jesse Palmer exemplified this through their clever crumbing in attack with both retrieving the ball and curling important majors through the middle. 

That improvisation amid the Swans' defensive pressure was crucial to keeping Port ahead.

Certainly, the Power looked like a team wanting to win; players desperate to keep the ball in play, high-pressure tackles and frenetic use of the ball. 

Defensively the Power held up against the Swans, with Franklin booting his first for the day against Tom Clurey midway through the third term.

A 50-metre penalty conceded by Paul Stewart in the dying seconds of the third gifted George Hewett - the Swan brother of rookie Port defender Cameron - an easy goal to close the quarter and give the Swans the lead. 

FOURTH QUARTER

With forecast storms rolling in with ferocity, the Power was disadvantaged by the 20km/h winds blowing in the Swans' favour. 

In torrential conditions, the Power struggled to compete with the Swans, which capitalised on its wind advantage and mature legs to overtake the Power and convert 3.3 for a big final term.

The story of the quarter was no doubt the huge torrent of rain that brought the skill level and spectacle back to earth. 

Port Adelaide returns home on Sunday to prepare for its second NAB Challenge game against Melbourne at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday 27 February. 

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE               0.3.6         1.5.6        1.7.9           1.7.9      (60)
SYDNEY SWANS               0.2.3         1.5.5        1.8.7           1.10.12  (81)

PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
S. Gray, O'Shea, Byrne-Jones, Toumpas, Amon, Howard

GOALS
Colquhoun 2, White, Snelling, Ah Chee, Neade, Palmer

SUPERGOALS
Polec (Seaton Ramblers)

CROWD
3,172 at Blacktown International Sportspark