PORT Adelaide has returned to the SANFL winner's list after a gutsy 41-point win over first-placed Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday afternoon at Woodville Oval.
A dominant second half led by a huge display in the ruck by Jarrad Redden helped the Magpies snap a two-game losing run and handed the Eagles just their second loss for the season.
Redden finished the day with 30 hit outs, 19 disposals and two goals to his name in what was arguably his best game since returning to the field earlier this year, having been grounded by shoulder, hip and knee injuries for much of his career at Alberton.
The win moves the Magpies back into fourth place – with one ‘catch-up’ game to play against North later in the year – having showed the side can still mix it with the league leaders.
It comes after Port fell to Norwood by just one point last week.
Despite a tightly-held first half which had the Magpies trail by four points at the main break, Mitchell, Moore, Sam Gray and Amon lifted to help set up the win.
The Eagles were on an 11-game winning streak heading into the match, while Port Adelaide entered the must-win game with a young team containing two debutants who had been elevated from the Magpies Academy.
Both sides had the yips early and despite the near-perfect conditions, the Magpies and Eagles made mistakes under the intense pressure.
A goal to Andrew Moore seconds before the quarter time siren put the Magpies in front by a slim two points.
The Eagles dominated the second term, but failed to punish Port Adelaide on the scoreboard, only managing 1.3, while holding the Magpies to just three behinds.
Port took advantage in the third quarter, with its midfield dominating stoppges.
Garry Hocking threw Moore into the fold as a 'third man up' supporting Jarrad Redden, and their stoppage masters Mitchell, Amon and Sam Gray feasted, eventually winning clearances by 15.
Moore finished with a surprising 21 hit outs.
Port Adelaide’s third term featured four unanswered goals, including one to second-gamer Tom Gray and led by 15 points at the final break.
As expected from a side which was without loss in three months, the Eagles challenged early in the final term, but the Magpies rallied and kicked the last four goals of the game to pull away.
Sam Gray was instrumental in the win, finishing off with 34 disposals, four marks, 11 tackles, eight clearances and six inside 50s.
Kane Mitchell and Sam Colquhoun were equally as damaging, ending the day with 31 disposals respectively and were followed closely by Moore, on 25.
Port Adelaide will travel to Unley on Sunday 26 July for its Round 15 clash with Sturt.
LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 4.1 4.4 9.6 14.12 (96)
WOODVILLE WEST-TORRENS 3.5 4.8 6.10 7.13 (55)
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
S. Gray, Mitchell, Moore, Amon, Redden
GOALS
T. Gray, Redden, Colquhoun 2, Wagner, Mitchell, Moore, Howard, Amon, Biemans, Summerton, Reynolds
