A HYPER-EFFICIENT West Coast has continued its streak over the Power at the Adelaide Oval with a 10-point win on Saturday night.
Port Adelaide surged late in the game, as been a habit in twilight clashes against West Coast at the Oval, with a thrilling final quarter dotted by goals from Dixon, Ebert, Broadbent and Boak.
But that late surge wasn't enough to reel in the effective Eagles, which made the most of their opportunities throughout the night.
Far from being out of the contest, Port actually controlled it for the most part – out possessing and oversupplying its forward line, particularly in the third term.
But while the Eagles used their fewer entries to have maximum scoreboard impact, the Power couldn’t do anything with their ball.
As all footy heads know, dominance of a stats sheet doesn't guarantee leads or wins, and the Eagles hit Port where it hurts - the scoreboard. It came despite the Power finishing the game ahead on inside 50s (69-43
In the third, Port converted 2.7 from 17 inside-50s. The Eagles slotted 5.1 from 12 entries.
It was a poor quarter for the Power: despite closing within nine points at half time, Port disappeared in the early stages of the third as the Eagles booted four consecutive goals to open a 33-point lead.
It left the Power playing catch-up, and their failure to punish the Eagles when they had the chance had them precariously positioned 21 points down at three-quarter time.
Charlie Dixon backed-up last week's game with another strong showing in attack. He had 22 disposals, 10 marks (including 6 contested), and five tackles.
Chad Wingard similarly played well through the midfield with 34 touches for the game, including 10 in the final term.
Brad Ebert toiled hard in the middle all game, with five clearances and 30 touches.
The result leaves Port just inside the top eight with four wins and three losses ahead of next week's history-making game in Shanghai, China.
Port Adelaide will take on the Gold Coast Suns at Shanghai's Jiangwan Stadium on Sunday 14 May.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 5.6 7.13 12.4 (87)
WEST COAST 4.1 7.3 12.4 16.7 (97)
Best
Dixon, Ebert, Ryder, Wingard, Polec
Goals
Dixon 3, Impey 2, Wingard, S. Gray, Ryder, Boak, Broadbent, Ebert, Westhoff
Crowd
38,333 at Adelaide Oval
