A BEST-ON-GROUND performance from emerging tennis start Thanasi Kokkinakis has helped Port Adelaide to one last victory in the 2015 footy season – the Slowdown.
Fielding a team choc-full of old Port heroes and celebrity supporters, the Power blitzed an all-AFL Crows line-up in the scorching heat of the Monday public holiday.
Despite the late withdrawal of Matthew Primus and Josh Carr, the Power stormed the Crows early and held them off despite a late comeback.
But it wasn’t the seasoned ex-footballers like Tim Ginever, Peter Burgoyne, Roger James or the Wakelin twins stealing the show, but the avid Power fans studding the team.
Tennis heroes Kokkinakis and Darren Cahill – son of legendary Port coach Jack – kicked three goals each.
Sunrise sports host Mark Beretta booted two in a surprise performance in attack, while Darryl Wakelin floated forward to bag a pair.
And it was Peter Burgoyne saving the day late with the sealer.
In his coaching debut, Port Adelaide chairman David Koch was thrilled to clinch a victory and was full of praise for his side.
Winners are grinners. Great spirit from the @pafc and Adelaide Football Club legends to... http://t.co/YfXPC9smWM pic.twitter.com/eUG32Zvk9Q
— david koch (@kochie_online) October 5, 2015
However a few Port stalwarts felt hard done by, missing out on the acclaimed finance journalist’s best players.
@kochie_online @PAFC I'm unlucky surely.
— Toby Thurstans (@Snucka28) October 5, 2015
Stiff @kochie_online #6thbest https://t.co/t6etydwwdN
— Jacob Surjan (@Surj9) October 5, 2015
Monies raised from the Slowdown go towards supporting the Little Heroes Foundation, which funds initiatives to support seriously ill children.
Slowdown XVI scoreboard
PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 9.2 11.7 14.12 (96)
ADELAIDE CROWS 1.4 4.11 7.14 11.18 (84)
KOCHIE’S BEST
Kokkinakis, Pickett, Beretta, Thompson, Rasheed
GOALS
Cahill, Kokkinakis 3, Beretta, D. Wakelin 2, Thompson, Thurstans, Beinke, Burgoyne
At the Adelaide Oval