Power defeats Saints in NAB Cup opener
Port Adelaide has taken a 50-point win in its opening NAB Cup game against St Kilda.
The 50-point win is the largest winning margin of any game yet to be played in the first round of the annual pre-season competition.
Despite searing heat, the Power was lively early and never looked like being headed after storming out of the blocks with early goals to Jake Neade and Jay Schulz.
Jarrad Redden was instrumental in the ruck having won the count by the end of the day and his good efforts early particularly helping to set up the Power’s forwards.
Port Adelaide’s ball movement was clinically effective at times and combined strong corridor-ball movement with effective defensive rebound.
Oliver Wines kicked a beautiful first goal early in the half before Schulz booted his second of the match.
Chad Wingard was also lively early and used his impressive power and running ability to finish off with the Power’s last goal of the quarter.
Carrying a 26 point lead into the first change, the Power was unrelenting in the second half and opened its scoring floodgates against a tiring St Kilda side.
Goals to Matthew Broadbent, Paul Stewart and Brad Ebert within the first six minutes of the game extended Port’s margin before a supergoal to Broadbent put the game beyond doubt.
Usual suspects Kane Conres (12 touches) and Brad Ebert were useful ball-movers, while Justin Westhoff had a solid first half.
Jasper Pittard, Oliver Wines and Cameron O’Shea also maintained a strong presence around the ground and featured prominently in key passages of ball movments.
First-gamer Jake Neade was also useful with his energy and run drawing cheers from the Port Adelaide faithful throughout the game.
Stay tuned to portadelaidefc.com.au for our post-match report for the second game against the Crows.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 1.9.3 (65) def
St Kilda 0.2.3 (15)
Goals: Broadbent 1G/1SG, Schulz, P. Stewart 2, Brad Ebert, Wingard, Neade, Wines
Disposals: Cornes 12, Brad Ebert 10, Pittard, Wines, Wingard, O’Shea 8
Marks: Cornes, Broadbent, Schulz 4
Hitouts: Redden 11, Westhoff 1
Tackles: Hartlett 4, Boak 2