A BIG WEEKEND for has seen Port Adelaide take wins home in all grades. Here's four things we've learned...
1. Port has found rough diamonds...
Karl Amon booted three goals on the weekend [pic: AFL Photos]
Sam Gray, Brendon Ah Chee, and now Karl Amon. Port Adelaide's disappointing year has at least shown some of its players can mix it with the big boys.
It was Amon's turn to shine on Saturday night against the Suns. After several weeks back in the SANFL, he seized the opportunity to boot exciting goals at critical moments, including a beauty from the stands.
In a tough season, there's hope where you look for it.
2. Hard workers revel in the conditions…
Brad Ebert was one of several players to step up on Saturday night. [pic: AFL Photos]
Take a bow Brad Ebert. It's been a difficult second half to the season for the vice-captain, but he put in a classy contested performance in the conditions on Saturday night.
Ken Hinkley praised him for it, as well as Matthew Lobbe, who has also struggled for form in recent weeks.
It goes to show a player can work back into form if the opportunity is right. For Ebert, and Lobbe, that was Saturday.
It's hard to go past Hamish Hartlett, who's flown under the radar with some solid defensive-mid showings for several weeks, and really rose to the occasion on Saturday night. A cut above most others on the field.
FROM THE PLAYERS: Ebert, Young, Krakouer, Hartlett
3. Magpies in good position for September
Former Carlton rookie Luke Reynolds goaling for the Maggies on Sunday arvo. [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
If you haven't been paying close attention to the Magpies this year, now's the time. Garry Hocking and skipper Steven Summerton have got Port Adelaide's SANFL team into the finals for the second year running and primed for a big campaign.
Starting a little slower than its romping start of 2014, the Magpies have nonetheless finished the year strongly in spite of a handful of blips midway through the year.
If anyone had questioned Port's intent to play well this September, the effort shown in the last two months - drawing six wins from an unbroken run of eight games - indicates otherwise.
The Maggies will be out to win this September - in both the League and Academy finals - so the season certainly isn't over for Port supporters just yet.
BRING IT: Buddha says Magpies primed for finals
4. The Power have actually finished the season very well...
It's been a long season, but the Power is still playing to win... [pic: AFL Photos]
The Power have won five of their last six games.
They've also won six of their last eight.
And if they beat Fremantle that will be seven of their last night.
Port Adelaide's season hasn't gone to plan. The plan was to make finals. The plan is always to make finals.
But the form shown by the Power over the last eight games shows the team is capable of good footy, and since the collapse against the Western Bulldogs, their response by playing aggressive, hard-edged footy against GWS, Hawthorn and Gold Coast shows they'll play to the end of the season.
Port Adelaide might exist to win premierships, but if it won't be playing finals, it should at least exist to win.
