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A SURGING second-half comeback has seen Port Adelaide claim a blitzing win over North Adelaide in its first home game of 2017.
The Roosters came out firing in the first quarter, they demanded the ball and got results, dominating the first fifteen minutes of the game and sinking the first three goals.
The Magpies started slow and were unable to answer; struggling to get the ball in their forward half due to poor ball use and lack of defensive pressure. It wasn’t until late in the first quarter when two consecutive goals from young recruit Todd Marshall provided some promise.
The second term saw the Magpies gain some momentum - they had more shots at goals and despite struggling to convert at times, two goals to Brett Eddy and Jesse Palmer helped to close the margin to nine points at half time.
Whatever was said in the changerooms at half time lit a fire under the Magpies – they returned to the field after the major change hunting a win.
What followed was a huge team effort, which saw Port Adelaide haul in seven goals to the Roosters’ one in the third term.
Within three minutes Palmer slotted an integral goal for Port Adelaide, followed by majors to Summerton, Lienert, Ah Chee (2), White and Eddy.
At the final change the Magpies were leading clearances 29-18 and were holding possession well with 26 marks for the quarter to North Adelaide’s 11.
Port were peppering at the start of the fourth term with minors to Eddy and Ah Chee, before Reynolds converted with his first for the day, stretching the Magpies’ lead to 36 points.
Exceptional defence and rebounding work from Riley Bonner, Logan Austin and Dougal Howard kept the Roosters to a 1.2 score through the entire second half.
Port Adelaide’s momentum continued with a brilliant snap from Ah Chee and a clever long bomb from Lienert to a waiting Eddy in the goal square, who both nailed their shots.
Robbie Young put the Magpies into triple digits with a few minutes remaining on the clock, and the Magpies finished the day with a victorious 63-point win.
Port Adelaide now looks to the challenge ahead next week when it takes on Adelaide in the SANFL Showdown at Woodville.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide: 2.3 15 4.7. 31 11.10 76 16.15 111
North Adelaide: 5.1 31 6.4. 40 7.5. 47 7.6 48
Goals: Ah Chee, Eddy, Palmer3, Marshall 2, Summerton, Lienert, White, Young.
Best: Summerton, Ah Chee, Irra, Palmer, Howard, Austin.
Injuries: Nil
Venue: Alberton Oval.
