Port Adelaide’s SANFL season began on Friday night with a disappointing loss to Glenelg at Gliderol Stadium.
The game started slowly for the Magpies, with the ball spending the first 10 minutes of the game in the Tigers’ forward half - the home side's early defensive pressure enough continuously trap the ball and send it forward.
Luke Reynolds was a spark for the Magpies in the first quarter, he scored two goals from just inside the 50-meter mark to get Port going.
But it didn’t take the Tigers long to fire up after that - hitting back with two goals of their own to keep Port four goals down at quarter-time.
The Tigers held most of the possession in the first half and played a strong defensive game built on intercepts and spoils, while the Magpies’ turnovers proved costly throughout the night.
In the final term the Magpies’ fire seemed to ignite with possession largely remaining in the hands of black and white guernseys, but it was too little too late despite the best efforts of Brendon Ah Chee, who booted his third goal of the night and ended the game with thirty disposals.
The final quarter was the Magpies highest scoring with goals from Ah Chee, Drew, Neade, Marshall and Ladhams
Magpies coach Chad Cornes said the Tigers drive for the ball was a lot stronger and they showed skill in basic techniques where the Magpies were lacking.
“Glenelg were very aggressive,” Cornes said.
“I was impressed with their forward line: they [Glenelg] wanted it more and were tougher.
“Kicks in from the back, we struggled with, missing easy kicks, we were a bit too fumbly.
“Glenelg seemed to capitalise on every time we made those mistakes.”
Port Adelaide next plays Norwood on Thursday the 13 April at 7.20pm at Coopers Stadium.
Scoreboard
PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 5.4 9.4 13.7 (85)
GLENELG 6.3 9.4 12.9 15.12 (102)
Goals
Ah Chee 3, Reynolds, Marshall, Ladhams 2, Lobbe, Johnson, Drew, Neade
Best
Ah Chee, Johnson, Marshall
Injuries
nil
At Gliderol Stadium
