To celebrate St Patrick’s day, portadelaidefc.com.au brings you the five of luckiest moments of the last few years…
1. Gussy’s leg break
You can't argue that this was probably the luckiest bounce in football in a long, long time.
Certainly made up for a kick from Robbie that bounced straight up on the goal line, and was then rushed through.
2. Soccer in the slop
In a sodden day at Metricon Stadium, the Power got a much-needed goal at the end of the first term when Jake Neade cleverly kept the ball in play for Ollie Wines to soccer a shot at goal.
It wasn’t on course, but a handy deflection from the knee of Justin Westhoff ensured the ball went through.
3. Jasper’s free kick
Jasper loves to take the game on, and that’s why we love him.
But there was a game in 2013 where it nearly came unstuck. Down by three points against St Kilda with eight minutes left, Pittard received the ball in the centre of the ground and bolted forward.
Chased down by Rhys Stanley, the then-Saint dived to stop Pittard, but tagged his ankle. Awarded a free kick, Pittard then had the ball punched out of his hands by Nick Dal Santo, resulting in a 50-metre penalty, a guaranteed goal, and the Power gaining the momentum to win the game.
Sometimes you make your own luck.
Pic: News Corp Aust
4. Lucky premiership-deciding turning points
Damien Hardwick steps on Jason Akermanis’s foot in the second quarter.
Aker loses it, grabs Dimma’s face.
Dimma gets free kick.
Moments later, Choppy Pickett goals.
Most of the Power’s 2004 premiership team say it’s the moment that turned the grand final in Port Adelaide’s favour.
Lucky we had Aker playing that day.
5. Lucky at the draft table
Ollie Wines falling to pick 7 in the 2012 draft. That’s lucky.
Chad Wingard not being taken by the Giants in 2011. That’s lucky.
Nobody taking Dom Cassisi until we did at pick 50, Robbie Gray until pick 55, or Justin Westhoff until pick 71 – all very, very lucky.
Yep, we’ve had a lot of luck at the draft table.
Happy St Patrick's Day!
