NORWOOD proved too strong for an inexperienced Port Adelaide side in the first trial game of the 2015 SANFL season, defeating the Magpies by 63 points at Norwood Oval on Friday night.
Fielding a vastly different side than the one that went down to the Legs by four points in last year's grand final, the Magpies were unable to convert a major score in the first half.
The likes of league-contracted players Tom Gray, Zac Hawkins and Jonathon Ross worked hard to create chances, but their run was quickly cut off by the bigger bodies of Norwood's defence.
Despite being 27 points down at the first break, the key statistics did not reflect the score line.
Port captain Steve Summerton and veteran Tom Logan led from the front and battled hard at every contest as they tried to provide run through the middle, leaving the Magpies trailing in contested possessions by just one (5-6) and leading the first possession count (11-6).
But skill and decision-making errors proved costly and an almost full-strength Norwood side out-bodied the Magpie forwards and created a strong, quick, outside run to give its attack near-perfect supply up forward.
Redlegs forward Brady Dawe caused the most damage by booting three goals in the first half, leaving Port Adelaide to trail the home side by 47 points at the main break.
Port managed to boot its first major for the night in the third quarter, after some slick midfield work from Sam Russell who found new recruit Dougal Howard in attack.
Howard showed poise to take a strong overhead mark and kicked his first goal for the club.
In another positive despite the loss, small forward Luke Wilson showed some class and speed by playing-on from a high tackle free midway through the third term and kick Port Adelaide's second for the match.
Former Carlton rookie Luke Reynolds also showed potential by almost taking a spectacular mark, while re-signed league player Sam Gordon booted a goal from the boundary.
The Magpies produced their best football for the night in the final quarter, showing some positive signs with their attacking brand of football and hard attack.
But their inexperience when taking the game on allowed the Redlegs to run riot.
The Magpies will play the Adelaide Crows in the second trial game of the year at Alberton Oval, at 11.30am on Saturday 21 March.
Earlier in the night the Academy trial match against Norwood's reserves was cancelled after the AFL expressed concern at the overuse of the ground prior to Sunday's NAB Challenge match between Port Adelaide and West Coast.
The Academy will play Tea Tree Gully in the curtain-raiser to the Magpies-Crows trial at 9:30am.
TRIAL GAME SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 0.1 0.4 10.9 4.9 (33)
NORWOOD 4.4 8.5 12.7 14.12 (96)
GOALS
Howard, Wilson, Roads, Gordon
portadelaidefc.com.au's best
Summerton, Logan, Wilson, Howard, Russell
No reports or injuries
