PORT Adelaide has recorded its first SANFL win of 2016 after a 10-goal second quarter against North Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

The Magpies' 43-point victory was the first for new senior coach Chad Cornes and came on the back of strong performances from Colquhoun, Snelling, Sharrad and Mitchell.

Despite the comprehensive victory, the Magpies had lapses in concentration during the game that allowed North to score four unanswered goals in both the first and third quarters.

Luke Reynolds continued his red hot form by finishing as the Magpies' leading goal scorer for the afternoon with five majors.

The win takes a huge load off the Magpies' shoulders as it enters its first of four byes this season, ahead of its Anzac Round game against Central District at Alberton Oval on Sunday 24 April at 2.10pm.

First quarter

Port Adelaide got off to a perfect start in its first home game of 2016, winning the centre clearances and attacking the football much harder than North Adelaide.

The Magpies' movement from defence into attack started off slick, with Robbie Young hitting the scoreboard first after mopping up a missed mark in the goal square.

Ross, Sharrad and Butcher all put their names on the scoresheet and the Magpies had recorded four unanswered goals.

But the start SANFL coach Chad Cornes had demanded was short lived, as the Roosters imposed themselves on the second half of the quarter.

Through Shannon, McMahon, Barnes and Hender, North booted four unanswered goals to snatch a two-point lead at the first break.

Second quarter

The Magpies flew out of the blocks to start the second term, eager to take control of the game allowing North to get its nose in front.

Led by Colquhoun (18 half time disposals) and Sharrad (12), the Magpies' midfield took control at the centre stoppages and helped their side to a 10-goal quarter, while keeping the Roosters goalless.

It was a strong team defence that kept the visitors to their low score, with Logan Austin and Riley Bonner especially strong down back, and Butcher and Reynolds were the stars up forward.

The pair combined for six of the home side's majors to the long break.

The Magpies had a 57-point lead at half time.

 

 

Third quarter

Port Adelaide's free-flowing football continued early in the third term.

Steve Summerton worked his way into the game by winning the hard-ball and Jesse Palmer's second goal came at the five-minute-mark.

But it was the home side's only major of the term, as a defiant North Adelaide worked its way back into the game.

The Roosters got their hands on the ball and were clean with their disposals to boot another four unanswered majors.

The Magpies retained the lead thanks to their big second quarter, although it was cut to 32 points.

Fourth quarter 

The Magpies looked jittery to start the final term and a few skill errors were caused by North's pressure.

Fortunately for the home side, the Roosters could not impact the scoreboard.

Reynolds continued his consistent form, forcing a stoppage inside forward 50 to boot his fourth goal at five-minute mark and then his fifth after nine minutes.

Colquhoun was solid in the midfield and finished the match with 30 disposals, while Sharrad's ferocious attack on the football and pressure around the ground was missed last week and the 22-year-old year old finished with 24 disposals and a goal. 

 

 

Luke Reynolds booted five goals [pic: Chris Kelly/pafc.com.au]

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE       4.1    14.3    15.5   21.7 (133)
NORTH ADELAIDE    4.3    4.6      9.9     13.12 (90)

PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU'S BEST
Sharrad, Snelling, Reynolds. Colquhoun, Bonner

GOALS 
Reynolds 5, Butcher 3, Howard, Mitchell, Palmer, Snelling 2, Johnson, Biemans, Ross, Sharrad, Young


Injuries
nil 

Crowd
TBC at Alberton Oval

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