A GOALLESS and uninspiring third term from Port Adelaide led to a 30-point loss to Central District at Alberton Oval on Sunday.

Only managing six behinds to Central’s five goals in the third, the Magpies allowed what was tight contest early on to blow out to an unmatchable margin.

Polec, (28 disposals) Ah Chee (22) and Summerton (24) shone for the Magpies, but the Dogs proved too strong all over the ground.

Despite working hard to cut the margin to 24 points early in the final term giving the Port Adelaide faithful a sniff of a comeback, errors in judgement and disposals crept in and the Dogs punished the home side.

On a positive note, debutant Dan Houston showed promise up-forward, booting two goals, collecting six marks and 11 disposals.

The Magpies will take on Sturt at Unley Oval next weekend.

First Quarter

In perfect, sunny conditions at Alberton Oval on Sunday afternoon, it was Central District who got off to the perfect start.

Despite being fresh from the bye, Port Adelaide looked sluggish early in the first term and was unable convert from the centre bounce.

Central, in contrast, worked hard to create space when in attack and capitalised on Port Adelaide’s skill errors.

Hill stood tall up forward for the Dogs, booting the first three goals of the game.

The Magpies couldn’t hit the scoreboard until the 18th minute, when Robbie Young slotted their first from 50m.

Winning clearances led to Butcher and Polec goals, keeping Port Adelaide within two kicks of the visitors.

An intercept mark from Jenner (Centrals) marked the quarter break, with the Magpies trailing by 10 points.



Second Quarter

Port Adelaide’s senior players lifted their intensity and physicality in the second term, laying hard tackles and taking the game on with quick handballs moving forward.

Polec and Ah Chee got the Magpies off to a solid start in the second stanza and were influential in helping Port win the contested ball. Krakouer was also a standout, not only getting on the board with a goal, but his defensive pressure around the ground helped spark his teammates.

But skill errors and look-away kicks inside 50 hurt the Magpies and Central’s defence was able to swoop the ball up and goal on the counter attack, to take a narrow six-point lead into half-time.



Half time Scoreboard Port Adelaide 3.05.0 (30)
Central District 4.4 5.6 (36)

< b>Goals R Young, Butcher, Polec, Palmer
Disposals Polec 16, Ah Chee, 15, Sharrad 11, Impey, Summerton 10

Third Quarter

It was all Central District in the third term, as the Magpies struggled to get their hands on the football and lacked the intensity shown in the first half.

The Dogs were ruthless and Port Adelaide could not contend with the mounting pressure.

Poor disposals proved to be an issue for the home side and, with every mistake, Central mopped up creating opportunities with end-to-end run.

Port Adelaide failed to take its chances inside 50, with inaccuracy in front of the scoreboard paying the price – they only managed six behinds for the quarter.

Summerton and Polec tried hard to lift the side, but had little support.

Goodrem, Hoskin and Jenner Rumbelow all got on the scoresheet for the Dogs, a visitors a 35-point lead at the final break.



Fourth Quarter

Reynolds got Port Adelaide off to the start it so desperately needed in the final term, booting his first goal for the afternoon following a smooth centre square clearance.

Debutant Dan Houston also got into the action, giving the Alberton crowd a glimmer of hope for a mounted come-back by kicking his first goal, slotting another for the Magpies.

But, it was not to be - the Dogs hit back quickly, winning the next two centre clearances and hitting the scoreboard with a major.

Reynolds and Houston kicked another goal apiece, again in vain, as Central’s midfield turned up the heat again helping its forwards push out the margin.

The Magpies eventually went down by 30 points at the final siren.

Full time scoreboard

Port Adelaide 3.0 5.0 5.6 9.8 (62)
Central District 4.4 5.6 10.11 13.14 (92)

Goals Houston, Reynolds 2, Butcher, Krakouer, Palmer, R Young, Polec 1

Disposals: Polec 28, Colquhoun 25, Summerton24, Ah Chee 22, Howard 18

Best: Polec, Ah Chee, Houston, Biemans, Austin

Injuries: None

Crowd: 2,629 at Alberton Oval

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