As Port Adelaide prepares to meet Melbourne to launch its 2019 AFL season, portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look back on the last clash between the sides.
Unlike this week’s Saturday game at the MCG, the last meeting was at Adelaide Oval on a Friday night in Round 14, on June 22, 2018.
The Power went into the game celebrating then vice-captain Ollie Wines’ four-year contract extension signed that week and put in a hard-contested team effort to steal the points.
He would finish with 29 disposals and eight clearances as one of the dominant figures on the field.
Tom Jonas marshalled the defence strongly, picking up 20 disposals and eleven marks, while Sam Powell-Pepper set a new club record for tackles after racking up a remarkable 17 for the game.
The Demons had the first three goals of the game and looked in ominous form, with Port’s only goal of the first quarter coming after the siren thanks to a free kick to Brad Ebert.
The Power trailed at every break in a low-scoring affair but stayed within touching distance until the last quarter when it booted three goals to none to claim the win.
PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 4.6 8.7 11.9 (75)
MELBOURNE 3.5 4.8 9.9 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Ebert 2, R.Gray 2, Westhoff 2, Wingard, Boak, Dixon, Thomas, S.Gray
Melbourne: T.McDonald 3, Hannan 2, Petracca, Smith, Melksham, Salem
BEST
Port Adelaide: Wines, Wingard, Jonas, Powell-Pepper, Rockliff, Westhoff
Melbourne: Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver, Jones, T.McDonald, Jetta
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Melbourne: Jetta (head knock/ankle), T. McDonald (ribs)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Deboy, Nicholls, Hay, McInerney
Official crowd: 40,751 at the Adelaide Oval
