PORT Adelaide's Academy side coughed up an early lead to let the chance of securing its first consecutive win of the season slip in Sunday's match against Norwood.
The Redlegs took control of the game in the third term, despite the Magpies dominating the first half in all key areas and a three-goal haul up forward from Will Northeast.
Norwood's inspired third quarter performance put the youthful Magpies to the sword, and Port Adelaide struggled to compete with the Redlegs' physical pressure and mental strength.
Led by Tom Gray and Zac Hawkins, the Magpies looked dangerous early, applying plenty of defensive pressure on its arch-rivals to win the hard ball.
The home side's speed throughout the midfield gave its forwards plenty of supply and Port Adelaide kicked away to take a handy 21-point lead at the first break.
Although the Magpies continued to control the tempo early in the second quarter, the young side lacked composure and skill errors caused turnovers, allowing the Redlegs to score on the rebound.
The visitors got within seven points at the tail end of the second term, but some brilliance from Northeast sparked his side into action when he ran hard to beat his opponent to a tumbling ball in the forward 50.
The goal ensured the Magpies held an 11-point lead at the main break.
But Port Adelaide was unable to sustain the narrow lead and it was Norwood that flew out of the blocks in the third term, taking charge of the clearances by three and the inside 50 count by six, after the Redlegs piled on six goals to the Magpies' one to reverse the advantage.
In a positive for the Magpies, Sidney Masters continued his consistent season-form and was the home side's pillar in defence, after recording 13 defensive rebounds.
Academy coach Jacob Surjan was left to lament what could have been arguably the young side's biggest scalp of the year.
"I thought our first quarter was really good and we set ourselves up for a tight contest," Surjan said.
"But it was that third quarter where they kicked six goals to our one and we didn't defend like our lives depended on it.
"Then in that last quarter we fought with everything we had and got ourselves back into a winning position, but we just couldn't get the job done.
"It was just another good learning process for the boys.
"We've just really started talking about setting the standards and getting ready for next year.
"Everyone came into this season a bit unknown with what was going to go on and we have a clear pathway of where we want to go in the future and these guys are getting ready for pre-season next year."
The Port Adelaide Academy side will take to the field for the final time this year, when it does battle with Glenelg at Glenelg Oval on Saturday 23 August at 11.25am.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 5.0 8.1 9.2 13.4 (82)
NORWOOD 1.3 5.8 11.11 14.13 (97)
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU'S BEST
Northeast, T Gray, Hawkins, Masters, Sawford, Corcoran
GOALS
Northeast 3, Johanson, Hamilton, Ross, 2, Sharrad, Gordon, Mills, Cooper
INJURIES
Justin Mills (TBC)
REPORTS
Nil
