PORT Adelaide let an early lead slip in its ANZAC Day eve clash with Norwood at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night eventually going down by 21 points.

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It was the Magpies' first loss of their 2015 campaign and a disappointing finish to their attempted atonement for last year's grand final loss.

A dominant second and third quarter from Norwood and an ability to take clean possessions in wet and windy conditions -  combined with a goalless third term from the Magpies - helped the Redlegs to the win.

The Magpies, despite a strong start and holding a two-goal lead at the first break, couldn’t muster a goal in the third term and were chasing a 13 point deficit at the final change.

A goal to Sam Gray put Port within six points in the last term, but the Redlegs were quick to hit back with goals to Persinos and Murphy sealing the victory.

As expected in an ANZAC Round grand final rematch, both sides left no stone unturned and were hard at the ball from the first bounce.

It came at a price for the Magpies early - dealt a blow by losing utility Paul Stewart in the first five minutes.

Stewart, showing courage, ran back with the flight of the ball and was hit by oncoming teammate Tom Logan.

He was stretchered off after the incident and took no further part in the match, but tweeted after the game that he was fine.

 

But Stewart's absence didn’t halt the Magpies' early dominance or its ability to produce a gutsy, hard-running brand of football.

The first-term triumph was built by a strong midfield performance and rebound from defence.

Steve Summerton continued his consistent form and was helped by Sam Gray and youngster Karl Amon.

Together they managed six clearances and five tackles and helped secure goals to Colquhoun, Amon and Palmer.

Then came the torrential rain and, with it, Norwood's momentum.

The Magpies' were a far cry from their first-term blitz and couldn’t contend with the heavy rain, nor Norwood’s pressure.

By three-quarter time, the Redlegs outmuscled the Magpies and led most of the key statistics, winning the clearances 37-34, the hit-outs 48-40 and the inside-50s 31-28.

The rain eased but the Magpies couldn’t regain their mojo with missed opportunities in front of goal and poor disposals hampering any chance of a comeback.

Port Adelaide will host Woodville-West Torrens at Alberton Oval on Saturday 2 May at 2.10pm.

LEAGUE SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE  3.2 4.2 4.4 5.5 (35)
NORWOOD            1.2 2.7 5.11 7.14 (56)

PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU'S BEST
Amon, Summerton, O'Shea, Young, Sharrard
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GOALS
Colquhoun, Amon, Palmer, Biemans, S. Gray

BOB QUINN MEDAL
Peter Persinos (Norwood)

CROWD
5,526 at the Adelaide Oval

Earlier in the night, Port Adelaide's Academy lost to Norwood by 78 points.

Port Adelaide Academy coach Mark Clayton hoped the loss would teach the side how hard it must work to match it with the best in the competition.

"It was very disappointing and the match was a big learning curve," Clayton said.

"We went away from the way we played the past two weeks and hopefully the boys learn from it." 

ACADEMY SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE ACADEMY   0.4      0.6      0.7        1.10 (16)
NORWOOD  RESERVES           3.3      7.9      10.14    13.16 (94)

BEST
Haarsma, Mahney, Sawford, Corcoran, T. Gray, Hawkins 

GOALS
Roads