PORT Adelaide has survived a second-half comeback from a defiant Glenelg on Sunday afternoon at Alberton Oval to win in a thriller by eight points.
The win propels the Magpies into the top four on the SANFL ladder and proves the side has the depth and composure to keep in touch with the league leaders.
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Port came close to surrendering a seven-goal lead to a late charge from the Bays that included four unanswered goals deep inside the final term.
In wet and slippery conditions, the Magpies booted six unanswered first half goals and held Glenelg scoreless until Hinge kicked the first goal for the visitors at the seventh minute mark of the second term.
Opening a 43-point lead at the main break, Port had an even contribution across the ground with Moore, Mitchell, Wagner, Neade, Palmer and Harvey looking set to continue a rampant attack after half time.
Instead Glenelg rallied to give a fight worthy of 150-gamer Clint Alleway.
Alleway's third goal early in the final quarter helped the Bays continue their momentum and cut the margin to 21 points.
The Magpies steadied through Wagner and Palmer kicking their second goals, but from then on it was all black and gold.
Port Adelaide, unable to get any run off half back nor match the Bays' intensity, made too many pressure-forced skill errors and Glenelg hurt the home side on the rebound.
Glenelg heaped on four unanswered goals, but eventually ran out of time, and Port Adelaide managed to take home the points.
Although the final margin was cut back to eight points, there were many positives to be taken out of the match.
The home side was led valiantly up-forward by Neade and Harvey, who combined to finish with three goals apiece.
Moore (24 disposals, 10 clearances, five marks, five tackles), and Mitchell (24 disposals, five clearances, 5 tackles), also finished the day strongly.
Port Adelaide will travel to Elizabeth next Saturday 6 June for its Round 10 clash with Central District.
LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 4.2 10.4 11.5 13.5 (83)
GLENELG 0.0 2.3 6.7 11.9 (75)
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
Mitchell, Logan, Palmer, Young, Harvey
GOALS
Harvey, Neade 3, Young, Palmer, Wagner 2, Sawford
INJURIES
Nil
CROWD
1,819 at Alberton Oval
ACADEMY REPORT
Earlier in the day, Port Adelaide's Academy side was victorious in another thrilling match that came down to the wire.
The game was tightly held for its entirety, but five goals to Luke Renyolds and three to Matthew Williams helped give Port Adelaide the edge.
The win was a pleasing result for coach Mark Clayton as his youngsters bounced back from a narrow loss to South Adelaide's reserves last week.
Clayton said consistency would be the key for the side as it heads deeper into its 2015 campaign and looks to slide a few more wins under its belt.
"I was really proud of the boys because we were after effort, and effort for four quarters," Clayton said.
"Each week they've been giving more effort and more effort, but today they held on for the entire game which was good.
"Their composure and skills have improved and the work rate was better, so we got the result."
ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 9.4 11.5 14.9 (93)
GLENELG 5.1 7.2 11.5 13.8 (86)
BEST
Williams, Reynolds, Haarma, Gordon.
GOALS
Reynolds 5, Williams 3, Cook, Cooper, T Gray, Haarsma, Miller, Northeast
