HAS the wheel turned? We take a look at what we learned from Round 9's win over Melbourne...
1. Boak and Brad a badass midfield combo…
They were pretty good on Saturday. Have your say below. [pic: AFL Photos]
When they're on song, Port Adelaide's two leaders can lift this team. Boak was great all day and kept Nate Jones to just nine touches after quarter time while Ebert was Mr Everywhere. Both had 31 disposals and played great team games as well. Their fellow mids lifted with them too, which really helped get that string of six goals against the tide in the second quarter.
Great players take players with them, it was a joy to watch...
BOAK: One-eyed Power skipper lifts
VOTE: Wok in a Box Fans' MVP
2. Cobwebs take a while to blow away...
Melbourne was all over the Power in the first 45 minutes of the game. [pic: AFL Photos]
Good finish, bad start. The Power were nowhere in that first quarter and owned up to it as much. There's no doubt about it, Port can't hang its hat on the 'four quarter' hook just yet. The good news is that the last two-and-a-half quarters showed just what the Power can do, which is really impressive, hard footy.
Still, that Alberton Oval track is going to have another good workout this week...
HINKLEY: We need more polish
PTV: Hinkley post-match presser
3. Is the 200-gamer having a vintage year?
He's been good. Especially considering he missed the entire NAB Challenge... [pic: AFL Photos]
Surprisingly few pundits have talked about Angus Monfries's efforts this year, but lets set the record straight - he's been pretty damn good. Playing a mid-forward role he's averaged 15 touches in eight full games and has kicked nine goals in the four games of May. It's also the work he does when he's not talking marks and kicking goals - pressure around the ground, pumping the ball inside 50 and creating opportunities for his teammates.
200 AFL games is no mean achievement, and here's hoping he can clock that 100-game milestone in a Port jumper in the next couple of years.
REVIEWS: Macca's top five
TALKING POINTS: Power v Dees
4. Rocking the backs
Jack Hombsch is the latest running back to have a purple patch recently. [pic: AFL Photos]
After nine games, could we see a defender leading Port's B&F? Jasper Pittard could certainly be doing so after the first five rounds, although he's been a little bit quieter since. Bobby Carlile's been around the mark too. But could Jack Hombsch be working his way to the pointy end of the count after nine rounds? He was the Fans' MVP winner last week (and deservedly so) and stood up in that first quarter, with plenty of help from Tommy Jonas and Matty Broadbent down back. It's great to see the defenders getting a bit of fan recognition in often thankless, unglamourous roles, and 'Homma' has been a real solid contributor in May.
We love defenders.
PTV: Highlights
HUNGER: and unselfishness win the day
5. Support growing in the heart of the nation
Local support for the Power is growing in the top end. [pic: AFL Photos]
If you haven't seen the adventures of the Aboriginal AFL Academy, check them out here, because it was a really great week for this group of exciting young men. Combined with the club's work with remote communities in the far north and APY Lands, which extend up towards Alice Springs, there's plenty to be proud of when it comes to Port Adelaide and the Northern Territory. With a traditionally favourable supporter base in Alice Springs, there was a genuine feeling the Power had the lion's share of support at the ground on Saturday.
Hopefully it continues growing...
