PORT ADELAIDE has defeated top-ranked South in a rain-affected clash at Alberton. 

The Magpies returned to the SANFL winners’ list after a comprehensive 48-point win over the Panthers where their strong team performance built on pressure and skilful ball movement stunned the top team.

The Magpies led early and only conceded the lead late in the first quarter when South finished with the last three goals of the term.

But they responded after quarter time with exciting North Haven product Luke Reynolds kicking four goals for the afternoon and taking a mark of the year contender in the second quarter to help ice the game.

South Adelaide attempted a comeback before half time with a spirited five minutes chopping Port’s 28-point lead to less than two goals.

But the third quarter was where it was won for the Magpies, as South Adelaide crumbled under Port Adelaide's immense pressure.

John Butcher and Brendon Ah Chee (each with three goals) worked well with Reynolds up forward, while the Magpies’ midfield produced their best football this season.

Kane Mitchell was the top clearances winner for the Magpies with nine supported by Sam Gray (eight clearances) and Jimmy Toumpas (seven).

In defence, Riley Bonner featured on his return to league football with a team-high five rebounds, while Alipate Carlile held South's star forward Brett Eddy to just 14 disposals and 1.4.

This was the Magpies' third win of the season and a huge scalp as they attempt to get their season back on track and move closer to the competition’s top tier.

Port Adelaide sits in sixth spot on the ladder as the competition breaks for the state game next week.

The Magpies return to Alberton Oval on Saturday June 4 when they host Glenelg at 2.10pm.

AS IT HAPPENED - FIRST HALF

First Quarter

From the first bounce, it was clear Port Adelaide wanted to prove a point following a string of poor loses.

The Magpies’ defence, led by veteran Alipate Carlile, stood up in the early stages and, despite South winning the first centre clearance, the Magpies worked hard to capitalise on a defensive rebound.

Hard running down the middle by Sam Gray and Louis Sharrad got Luke Reynolds on the end of Port Adelaide’s first goal for the afternoon.

Josh Trembath was quick to respond for the visitors, however, it wasn’t long before Port Adelaide had notched up a 12-point lead thanks to goals to Robbie Young and Dan Houston.

Despite dominating the quarter, the Magpies failed to take their chances inside 50 and their inaccuracy in front of goals ultimately came back to hurt them.

At the other end, Josh Trembath, Rigby Barnes and Matt Rankine, had no problems with accuracy and helped the Panthers to a narrow lead at quarter time.

Second Quarter

Port Adelaide controlled the second quarter with quick ball movement through the middle of the ground and its pressure was arguably the highest it has been all season with ferocious tackling.

Robbie Young produced a piece of play for his highlight reel with a great run from half back where he managed to shake off his defender, took a few bounces and speared the ball to Toumpas, who kicked Port’s second goal of the quarter.

The highlight of the quarter, however, came with nine minutes gone when Luke Reynolds flew high inside 50, sitting on his opponents shoulder to bring down a spectacular grab.

He went on to kick a goal.

The Magpies heaped on two more unanswered majors through Mitchell and Butcher to push out to a 28-point lead with 21 minutes gone in the quarter.

South Adelaide was not going to be put to the sword that easily and, with three quick centre clearances, goals to Newell, Cross and Barnes helped the Panthers get back within 10 points.

A mark about 40 metres out to Jimmy Toumpas on the half time siren allowed the Magpies to steady and take a 16-point lead at the main break.

Third Quarter

Port Adelaide fired in the third term, determined to make amends for letting South Adelaide back into the contest late in the second quarter.

Despite being well-matched statistically – Port leading the clearances (28-27) and inside 50 count (41-35), the scoreboard pressure the Magpies placed on the Panthers was immense.

The Magpies booted eight goals and held South Adelaide to just three majors and the Panthers never looked a threat.

Reynolds continued to star up forward with four goals to his name at the end of the term, while Ah Chee bagged two for the quarter to finish the term with three goals.

Sam Gray, Kane Mitchell and Louis Sharrad were bull-like at stoppages, bustling their way through the packs, while Jimmy Toumpas and Sam Colquhoun were effective with their outside speed.

In contrast to the previous term, each time the Panthers tried to steal the momentum, Port Adelaide steadied and were precise with their disposal to take a 42-point lead at the final break.

Fourth Quarter

South Adelaide got off to the better start and was able to reduce the lead to 30 points with two quick goals to Cam Hitchcock and Brett Eddy. The Magpies didn’t do themselves any favours when in attack though, with inaccuracy hurting their chances to kill the game.

The rain came hard midway through the term and the goals dried up as players struggled for control of the ball.

Palmer kicked the Magpies’ first major of the term, while Butcher got on the end of two quick consecutive goals, off the back of strong forward-line pressure.

 

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE      3.4      9.7     17.8
SOUTH ADELAIDE   4.2    7.3     10.8

GOALS
Reynolds 4, Ah Chee, Butcher 3, Palmer, Toumpas 2, Houston, R. Young, Mitchell, Howard, Biemans, Sharrad

PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU'S BEST
S. Gray, Reynolds, Mitchell, Toumpas, Bonner

DISPOSALS
S. Gray 32, Mitchell 30, Toumpas 28, Colquhoun 23

 

Create your own user feedback survey