A BIG WEEKEND for Port Adelaide has seen the Power and Magpies take wins home. Here's four things we've learned...
1. Ah Chee the blueprint for persistence...
Caption this! We reckon Ken Hinkley was pretty happy with newly re-signed Ah Chee on Saturday [pic: AFL Photos]
Wowee, Brendon Ah Chee!
Selected to come into the Power's line-up as one of five unforced changes, the West Australian seized on his opportunity by playing a career-best game. With three goals and 24 touches, plus the first real glimpse at AFL level of what we can only describe as the 'Brendon Ah Chee handball', the 21-year-old certainly showed the crowd he'll make the most of his freshly inked one-year contract extension.
PLAYER VIEWS: Hombsch, Gray, Ah Chee
2. There's room for two of the Gray brigade…
Robbie Gray might be the Power's marquee midfielder, by Sam Gray is starting to hit his own strides. [pic: AFL Photos]
Sam Gray's recent form isn't a flash in the pan. One of the Power's better mids against the Saints, Port's best-on-ground in the big loss to the Bulldogs and another strong showing against the Giants on the weekend showed he too will do everything to remain on the list next year.
He's been one of the Power's most consistent players for this month and is poised to finish the season strongly.
HINKLEY: Players respond to coach's demands
3. Sawford among the SANFL's best...
Ben Sawford is in top form in the SANFL. [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
We're still trying to check the records, but we're sure young West Whyallan Ben Sawford put in one of the all-time great statistical SANFL performances on Friday night. He had 40 touches against the Bays - a feat rarely heard of - as well as four goals, six tackles and 14 clearances.
We'll repeat that: 40 disposals, four goals, six tackles and 14 clearances. Freak like!
His form has been superb since coming back into the League line-up and Garry Hocking will struggle to find anyone for his Peter Jackson Player of the Week in this week's SANFL Report.
'Sawf''s Twitter bio says Aaron Young is his favourite player, maybe it will be the other way around after Friday night...
MAGPIES: Sawford leads the way in one-point thriller
REPLAY: Magpies v Bays
4. Power can hold its own when the heat is on...
Jackson Trengove ripped both his primary and spare #12 jumpers. He'll need a new one for the Freo game... [pic: AFL Photos]
The Giants are only at early doors in their rivalries in the AFL, and their history with Port Adelaide is no different - now five games.
But it felt like an old-fashioned match from the '80s on Saturday when the Power and GWS boxed-on in front of 33,000 spectators.
If you like seeing old-style biffo before the bounce, behind the play, inside packs, at the breaks and generally all over the ground, there was plenty to whet your appetite as the sun went down on Saturday evening.
After having his two jumpers ripped to shreds, Jackson Trengove will certainly need a new one by Friday...
