In this, the 10th season since the Power claimed their first AFL premiership by defeating the Brisbane Lions in the 2004 Grand Final, the two sides came together again. Port won the 2004 battle by 40 points but made much lighter work of the Lions in 2014, booting 20 goals to four after quarter-time to record its second greatest winning-margin (113 points) since its AFL inception in 1997.
2. Former cub helps maul Lions
Jared Polec's decision to leave the Lions after his third season in Queensland didn't sit well with his former teammates. Labelled 'a mummy's boy' by Tom Rockliff, Polec joined the Power and hasn't looked back. His sensational form since arriving at Alberton continued on Saturday as he played a strong role in sinking his old side. The 21-year-old picked up 25 disposals and booted a wonderful goal from a tight angle in the second quarter.
3. Lion Leuey down again
It didn’t look good for Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger who, in the second term, pulled up lame all on his own in the Power's forward line. As he hopped to a stop, the immediate fears were that he'd suffered another Achilles injury – alarming given his 2012 season was kept to just three games by the same issue. It was later confirmed to be a knee injury and his absence was compounded by the loss of influential defender Pearce Hanley, who never returned to the field after coming off in the second quarter to have his thigh strapped.
4. Super Sam
Just six months ago Sam Gray was a SANFL player, albeit a star at that level, who had finished runner up for the 2013 Magarey Medal. The 22-year-old was also named best and fairest for the Port Adelaide Magpies and his consistency saw him offered a chance by the Power as a rookie. At 176cm, he's not your prototype footballer, which is undoubtedly why it's taken him so long to be offered an opportunity at the highest level. But against the Lions, Gray again proved the worth of a natural footballer; he looked at home on the big stage collecting 16 disposals at 94 per cent efficiency and booting three goals.
5. Career best for Boak
Power skipper Travis Boak continues to take his game to new levels after being handed the captaincy ahead of the 2013 season, with a career-record 41 disposals against the Lions. In another best on ground display, Boak furthered his reputation as one of the best leaders in the game, with six clearances, a goal and three goal assists, leading his side to an emphatic victory.
