First quarter

For the third week in a row, skipper Travis Boak got the Power off to the perfect start, kicking the first goal of the game, after a prolonged spell of Essendon pressure.

Port Adelaide's ball movement from defence looked noticeably different, with the Power defenders taking the game on at all costs, rather than kicking long as they had in previous weeks.

Charlie Dixon impacted the game early with two majors in the first quarter.


Matt Broadbent was electric after a quiet display last week - racking up 12 disposals and a whopping 264 metres gained in the first quarter alone.

Robbie Gray was being typically Robbie Gray-like, with 7 disposals, 4 clearances and this goal...(he starts it off on the wing)

Robbie Gray clears the ball, and receives for goal

How hard does Robbie Gray work? Pretty bloody hard.#weareportadelaide #AFLPowerDons

Posted by Port Adelaide Football Club on Friday, 8 April 2016

 

Second quarter

Jared Polec got the Power off to the perfect start in quarter two, bombing one through from 60m before Aaron Young slotted one from deep in the pocket for his sixth goal in just two weeks.

Joe Daniher kicked a steadier for the Bombers, but a sharp bit of play led to Justin Westhoff's first goal just minutes later.

Polec, Toumpas and Wines were all prolific, but it was Robbie Gray who was dominating at the clearances to set the Power up.

 

 

Aaron Young's big pack mark led to his third goal after a career-high four goals in the Showdown the week before. 

Half time
Port Adelaide 7.4   11.5   (71)
Essendon      1.4    4.6    (30)
Goals: Young 3, Dixon 2, R Gray, Polec, Westhoff, Boak, Amon, Ebert
Disposals: Broadbent 18, Toumpas, R Gray 15, Polec 14

Third quarter

The Power again got off to a fast start in the third quarter, this time it was Karl Amon kicking his second from the pocket to open up a 47-point lead.

When Charlie Dixon marked strongly and kicked his third the Power's lead was out to 53 with a quarter and a half to play.

The game turned in to a slight arm wrestle with scoring drying up.

Paul Stewart sent a scare through the crowd half way through the quarter when he went down an ankle injury, but he returned to the game a short time later.


The third quarter finished with a special moment for debutant Darcy Byrne-Jones, kicking his first AFL goal from 45m.

 

 

Fourth quarter

Robbie Gray continued his white-hot form to start the season, kicking his second goal to open the final term. Dominant at stoppages, he was also able to hit the scoreboard.


The Power and Bombers traded the next three goals with the sting well and truly out of the game.

The Power's ferocity at the contest was vastly improved on the previous week against Adelaide and the ball movement was considerably cleaner - leading to a significant advantage in the inside 50 count.

Ollie Wines rounded out a solid night with a goal in the dying minutes.

Full time
Port Adelaide 7.4   11.5   14.8   17.10   (112)
Essendon      1.4    4.6    4.7      7.9      (51)

Goals: Young, Dixon 3, R Gray, Westhoff, Amon 2, Polec, Ebert, Boak, Byrne-Jones, Wines

Best: R Gray, Broadbent, Pittard, Polec, Wines, Young, Toumpas

Injuries: Stewart (ankle - returned to game)

Crowd: 44,601 at Adelaide Oval