PORT ADELAIDE has secured its second successive win with a comfortable 57-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.

The win was set up with a five-goals-to-none first quarter with the Bulldogs unable to peg back the deficit.

While the forecast was for stormy weather, the rain passed ahead of the first bounce and the Power made the most of the cleared-up conditions.

While Billy Gowers had the first opportunity to score for the Bulldogs, he could only manage a behind from his set shot.

Charlie Dixon slotted the game’s first after making about 30 metres out from goal.

Todd Marshall – in his first AFL game since having compassionate leave following the death of his father – had two shots at goal each result in a behind.

With the Adelaide Oval crowd giving Marshall a round of applause in the 13th minute his side took the upper hand when Jared Polec kicked a gem of a goal from the point where the 50-metre line intersects with the boundary.

Goals to prolific disposal getter Ollie Wines, inclusion Lindsay Thomas with his first touch of the game, and a second to Dixon, had the Power out to a 32-point lead.

It was the first time Dixon had booted multiple goals this season and he missed a chance to add to his tally after the quarter time siren – his behind giving his side a 34-point lead at the first break.

The Dogs finally got their first major five minutes into the second term when Ed Richards had Chad Wingard holding the ball and slotted home the free kick – his first career goal.

The sides then traded goals with both Richards and Dixon slotting their third, the latter on the siren.

The visitors’ hopes were dampened, though, when captain Easton Wood limped from the ground with a hamstring injury.

Robbie Gray was getting plenty of the ball, up to 20 by half time – and he put his hand up for goal of the day after getting the ball over the back and bouncing it home from the pocket.

Facing a 25-point half time deficit, the Dogs made a strong start to the third quarter when Mitch Wallis goaled within the first minute.

But Port wrestled back control and had the next four to blow the margin out to 42 points.

Jared Polec and Tom Rockliff with the pick of them – the former on the run from the left forward pocket and the latter hooking home after bursting out of a pack.

Josh Schache ended the drought after a strong mark and Wallis slotted his second of the quarter to keep the visitors in touch.

Tom Rockliff was having a busy quarter with eleven touches and two goals - his second giving the home side a 38-point margin heading into the final quarter.

Paddy Ryder took a strong pack mark and then went back from 50 metres out and put the result almost out of reach of the visitors with just three minutes played in the final term.

And by the time Gray slotted his third with about 15 minutes to play, the Power had its highest score of the season and the game was in the bag.

Not to be outdone, Sam Gray took a mark of the year contender on the goal line and goaled to top off the result.

It was Port’s biggest win of the season and means the Power has beaten the last two Premiers in consecutive matches.

 

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE                        5.5       8.6        14.9    20.12 (132)             

WESTERN BULLDOGS              0.1        4.5        8.7      11.9  (75)              

Goals

Dixon 3, Polec, Rockliff 3, Westhoff 2, Boak, Gray, Wines, Motlop, Thomas, Houston, Ryder              

Best

Gray, Wines, Polec, Westhoff, Rockliff

Injuries

TBC

Crowd

26,137 at Adelaide Oval

More on portadelaidefc.com.au...