PORT Adelaide has let its clash with Glenelg slip away to a 19-point loss at Alberton on Saturday.

Set up to be an enthralling battle with both outside the top five and a win crucial to close the gap between the league's top tier,  the gap has now widened for Port as it slipped down to seventh place on the SANFL ladder..

Port's backline had the tough job of halting the Bays' forwards Willie Rioli and Terry Milera.

In the end, it had no answer for the pair who combined for nine goals.

The Magpies' young backline was dealt a blow in the first term when the seasoned AFL veteran Alipate Carlile limped off with a knee injury.

Despite a slow start and being two down on rotations with Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) also off injured, the second quarter belonged to Port.

Billy Frampton won the hit-outs and Kane Mitchell and Steve Summerton capitalised.

Their kicks inside 50 were measured but when the ball did hit the ground it was scooped up by Port's medium-sized forwards. 

 

Hawkins put the Magpies in front and Reynolds and Palmer also got on the end of goals to extend the lead.

 

Glenelg wrestled back the momentum in the third as Matt Snook (27 disposals) and Jake Johansen (25) won the midfield battle.

 

The Magpies managed to peg back a 10-point three-quarter time deficit to lead by a point early in the final term thanks to goals to Toumpas and Brendon Ah Chee.

But in a matter of 13 minutes, the tables were turned.

Rioli and Milera continued to inspire Glenelg and the Bays heaped on five unanswered goals, killing the contest and causing a surprise blowout.

Late goals to Reynolds, Butcher and Houston cut the margin to a more respectable 19 points after the Magpies trailed by as much as 40 midway through the term.

 

First Quarter

The first term belonged to Glenelg as the visitors made use of their bodies and positioned themselves to win the one-on-one contests.

A goal to Terry Rioli got the Bays off to the perfect start, but Port responded with a one-handed grab inside 50 from Tom Gray who then laced out Houston for their first goal.

It was Port’s only for the quarter.

Glenelg’s midfielders used the boundary to create space and their forwards made use of the precise delivery inside 50.

A second major to Rioli plus singles to James Sellar, Josh Scott and Carl Nicholson gave Glenelg a 23 point lead.

Louis Sharrad worked hard and attempted to burst through the packs, while Colquhoun tried to create some run, but was stopped in his tracks by strong Glenelg tackles.

The injury curse continued for Port Adelaide as Alipate Carlile and Jimmy Toumpas hobbled from the field.

 

Second Quarter

They had two men down and the scoreboard against them, but Port Adelaide refused give in.

Kane Mitchell and Steve Summerton inspired the Magpies’ midfield with their desperation at the stoppages to help Port boot seven goals to the Bays' one.

Back-to-back goals to Zac Hawkins turned the game on its head and reduced the margin to one straight kick.

Luke Reynolds then booted his first on the run to put Port in front by a point.

Palmer (two goals) and Bonner, (one), further extended the lead to three goals.

A costly fumble in defence allowed Rioli to get on the end of his third goal and cut Port’s lead to 11 points at the main break.

 

Third Quarter

Toumpas made a slick return to the field after limping off earlier, slotting Port’s first goal for the quarter thanks to a hard run by Ah Chee from half back.

Port threatened to break away when John Butcher took a courageous mark going back with the flight and kicked truly as they held a 23 point advantage.

But Glenelg continued to fight and was inspired by a Terry Milera goal soccered through from the boundary line.

Milera’s stroke of brilliance gave the visitors the ascendency.

Their midfielders won the stoppages and their forwards marked from the front position.

Tim Sumner, Matt Snook and Riley McFarlane capitalised in front of goal to give Glenelg a 16-point lead.

That was cut to 10 point through an on-the-run goal to Port's Kane Mitchell.

 

 

 Fourth Quarter

 

Ah Chee was Port's main ball-winner in the final term and the strong tackles he laid coupled with his quick ball movement and ability to lose his opponent sparked the home side.

Port's forward-line pressure also improved and it led to Reynolds dishing the ball to Toumpas who ran into an open goal and put them one-point in front.

Glenelg then played man-on-man, stifling the space to force errors.

Port's midfield fell away, while Glenelg's rose to the challenge.

Rioli and Sumner were damaging up forward thanks to the precise delivery they received.

Port's defence had no answer and within minutes the scoreline blew out beyond control.

With five minutes left, Ah Chee, Mitchell and Summerton wrestled the ball back in the midfield and waited for an option to present itself inside 50.

Three quick goals for Port helped the scoreboard look a little better.

Scoreboard

PORT ADELAIDE     5.2   8.5   12.6     17.6 (108)

GLENELG                1.3   6.6    13.10   19.13 (127)

Goals 
Reynolds 3, Houston, Toumpas, Ah Chee, Hawkins, Palmer, Butcher 2, Bonner, Mitchell

portadelaidefc.com.au's best 
Ah Chee, Summerton, Mitchell, Bonner, Colquhoun

Injuries:
Carlile (knee), Toumpas (ankle), R. Young (collarbone)

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