PORT ADELAIDE grinded out a tough 30-point win over Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night to progress through to face Glenelg in next Sunday’s SANFL semi-final

Trent McKenzie starred in defence, while Peter Ladhams dominated the ruck battle to claim 23 hitouts, two goals and 23 disposals.  

Jarrod Lienert opened the scoring with a trademark long bomb from the 50m arc as the large Magpies cheersquad roared it home at the southern end.

It was the dream start for Port – which qualified in second place – but the Crows managed to wrestle back the momentum in the qualifying final.

Adelaide slammed home three quick goals through Chayce Jones, Shane McAdam and Darcy Fogarty to lead by 12 points at the 12–minute mark of the opening quarter.

Jack Trengove lifted and finished with 11 disposals in the opening term as Port found late goals to Sam Mayes and Sam Hayes to level the scores (3.1 - 19 apiece) at the quarter time break.

The Crows again enjoyed a better start in the second term as small forward Tyson Stengle got his side on the board within the opening minute.

The Magpies were leading the disposals, clearances and even the inside 50s but the Crows nullified their quick ball movement through the middle of the ground.

It was a battle of territory and McKenzie stopped a number of deep defensive entries before Port eventually found a hole through the guts and spotted Tobin Cox in the forward pocket.

Cox nailed Port’s first goal for the second term at the 17-minute mark which broke the game’s eight-minute scoreless deadlock.

The Magpies enjoyed a patch of dominance in the final stages before half time, led by Ladhams in the ruck and a lift from midfielders Willem Drew, Trengove and Cam Sutcliffe.

Mayes found space inside forward 50 and nailed Port’s second goal of the term, and three minutes later Ladhams crumbed a pack like a rover in a ruckman's body, passed through the forward 50 and slammed home another goal.

Ladhams’ moment of brilliance concluded a busy half which included 15 hitouts, 12 disposals and a goal, as Port led by 12 points at the major break.

After a tough first half against a gritty Crows outfit, Port led disposals 188-148, marks 56-46, tackles 31-24, inside 50s 37-17 and hitouts 24-6 at the major break, while Drew (17), Trengove (16), McKenzie (15) and Sutcliffe (14) were the major ball winners on the ground.  

The third term was again an arm wrestle, as light drizzle fell in what was an otherwise perfect night for footy.

The Crows started the quarter better once again with a quick goal through Jordan Boyle, before Port locked the ball in its forward half.

Cox looked dangerous in attack, but could not dial in his radar in front of the big sticks, kicking four consecutive behinds, as the Magpies didn’t capitalise on their opportunities.

Adelaide worked it down to its attacking half and McKenzie continued his strong output, but a crumb eventually fell Stengle’s way for a second goal on the trot for the Crows.

Ladhams was taking the game by the scruff of the neck and marked a deep forward entry to snap his second goal to give the Magpies some breathing room.

It was Port’s only goal of the quarter as Boyle popped up again for the Crows for his second goal with the last kick before three quarter time.

Just three points separated the sides at the final break and finally it was Port’s turn to dominate the start of a quarter.

Mayes booted his third goal of the game at the five-minute mark, and Cox finally shrugged his inaccurate boots to slide through his second goal.

From here, Port kicked three of the last four goals of the match to run out comfortable winners and progress through to play the Tigers with a grand final berth on the line.

Drew was fantastic with 32 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances, while McKenzie had 27 disposals and 11 marks.

The Crows will face Norwood next Sunday.  

SCORE:
Port Adelaide: 3.1, 6.3, 7.9, 12.13 (85)

Adelaide: 3.1, 4.3, 7.6, 8.7 (55)

DISPOSALS: Drew 32, Trengove 29, Atley 28, Sutcliffe 28.

GOALS: Mayes 3, Cox, Ladhams, Woodcock 2, Farrell, Hayes, Lienert.

BEST: McKenzie, Mayes, Drew, Sutcliffe, Ladhams, Farrell.

CROWD: 12,473 at Adelaide Oval