1. Boundary line kicking not an issue for Port's forwards
Port Adelaide may not have been able to claim the victory in the second SANFL Showdown this year, but a few of players did give themselves a chance to win goal of the year.
Jay Schulz produced a goal for the highlights reel - with eyes for nothing but the ball, he took a diving mark and slid across the boundary line before making no mistakes in front of the big sticks. Matt White’s came not long after in the third term - Snelling dished out the ball with a hurried hand pass to White, who got through traffic while hugging the boundary line and slammed the ball onto his boot for a goal.
2. Port too handball happy?
Port Adelaide ended the match with 24 more handballs than its crosstown rivals and it seemed to prove to be one of the main differences between the two sides on Sunday. The Magpies were not clean enough with their hands to afford over handballing - albeit it was often due to the high level of pressure Adelaide heaped on. But, even when under no pressure, Port opted for a short handball which often cut off or missed the target, and the Crows capitalised on the home side's mistakes.
3. Like big brothers in the AFL, Port Adelaide can mathematically still creep into the SANFL finals.
Port's chances of sneaking into the top five on the SANFL ladder to ensure a third consecutive finals appearance was dealt a blow after 25 point loss to Adelaide. Although the chance is slim, the equation of making the finals is simple: win every game from now on. With four games left to play in the minor round, the Magpies are two wins plus percentage behind fifth-placed Central. This means the black and white must win every game from now on and it starts with next week's clash against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval. The side also needs a bit of luck to fall its way with Central Adelaide dropping at least two of its next games.
