PORT ADELAIDE has suffered another heart-breaking loss to West Coast, with a goal after the siren again deciding the result.
Jeremy McGovern kicked the winning goal to see the Eagles defeat the Power by four points.
It was a brave showing by a Power side left depleted by injuries to Paddy Ryder, Charlie Dixon
The Power had never beaten West Coast in four previous meetings at Adelaide Oval and it seemed clear from the outset that it was keen to change that.
Robbie Gray had two goals inside the first 15 minutes and was finding plenty of space inside 50 in the first quarter.
Aidyn Johnson – back in the side and playing as a defensive forward on Eagles star Jeremy McGovern –
Elliot Yeo’s long bomb on the run from outside 50 was the sole piece of joy for the visitors.
They started the second term in more positive fashion with Chris Masten booting another big goal from outside 50 but from there the scoring slowed with neither side creating many opportunities.
The Power broke the deadlock after a fine piece o build-up play from half back to half forward.
The final pass was perfectly weighted by Steven Motlop inside 50 to third-gamer Kane Farrell who converted the
A late goal to Jamie Cripps kept the Eagles in the hunt with the margin narrowing to 18 points at the main break.
Cripps was in the thick of it in the third quarter, slotting two more goals including the first within three minutes.
Johnson then came into his own with two goals in the space of 90 seconds and Paddy Ryder marked and
But when Ryder went off with an injury, which put him out of the game, momentum swung towards the visitors, as they began winning the clearances and injuries mounted for the Power.
In the space of 30 seconds, Charlie Dixon went down with a right leg injury and Dan Houston was stretchered off with a head injury after putting his body on the line to prevent a West Coast mark.
With their backs against the
The home side took a 15-point lead into the final term and a huge mark to Liam Ryan followed by a goal cut it to within ten.
A tense period followed with the Eagles spraying numerous chances before a goal to Mark LeCras inside the last minute had the visitors within two points.
Jeremy McGovern went forward for the last play and marked, booting the winning goal after the final siren to continue the Eagles unbeaten run against the Power at Adelaide Oval.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 6.2 9.2 9.4 (58)
WEST COAST 1.1 3.2 6.5 9.9 (62)
Goals
Johnson 3, Gray 2, Dixon, Johnson, Wingard, Farrell
Best
Jonas, Wines, Westhoff, Rockliff, Polec
Injuries
Ryder (hip flexor), Dixon (ankle), Houston (concussion)
Crowd
32,534 at Adelaide Oval