1. Withstand the heat, bring your own

Carlton swung the momentum after the 12-minute mark of the first term, and could’ve have closed Port’s huge early lead for the amount of ball they had. But the Power withstood that period and made sure it storming start remained intact to half time. We all know the story from there. Withstanding the opposition’s heat and creating their own pressure has been the hallmark of the Power when at their best. Even against the flag fancied Crows and Giants it was there – just not long enough. If Port can keep create pressure on the scoreboard and around the footy this year, the true believers will keep going home happy.

2. Frustrating finishing, but you’ve got to love that forward control

Port’s blistering third-quarter sealed the game. The Power had 24 inside 50s to Carlton’s two in that quarter. Simply, don’t let the opposition get the footy, and they won’t get the goals! Port held possession of the ball for the majority of the quarter, but erroneous kicking saw them return 6.10 to Carlton’s 0.0. That was the only downside for the Power’s term. But who’d be made to say no to a 46-points-to-nil quarter?

3. Westhoff: the master of the miracle goal

We saw in 2015 against the Crows when he kicked a goal over his head. We saw it when he worked his magic to boot an unbelievable spinner against Richmond in 2016. And now he’s delivered again in 2017, chasing down what looked like a lost ball and soccering it through the big sticks in the first minute of the second quarter. If we’ve learnt anything, it’s that Westhoff’s boot is certainly a crowd pleaser and is lethal in mid-air.



4. If at first you don’t succeed…

Try, try again. Robbie Gray was on fire in the third-quarter, getting his hands on the ball at every chance. Not everything turned to gold, but it was his perseverance and determination at the contest despite some early misses that had Power fans on their feet. And his ‘double spinning pirouette out of trouble’ - as BT called it - was certainly a sight to see. He finished with a whopping five goals and was crowned the 2017 Badcoe Medallist for the night.

5. Welcome to AFL, Aidyn Johnson

Two goals on debut - one from his very first kick in AFL - five marks and 14 possessions is not a bad way finish up your first game! Johnson’s debut came about in the most unlikely fashion, in a last-minute callup to come in for a hamstrung Hamish Hartlett - but he certainly showed no signs of nerves. Johnson took the game on with the preparedness and composure of any AFL player and after a year of crafting his game in the SANFL, he certainly looks ready to mix it with the big guns.

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