With captain Travis Boak and vice captain Brad Ebert sitting out the second match following Port’s 50-point win over the Saints earlier that day, while the rested Jarrad Redden was covered jointly by Jackson Trengove and Justin Westhoff in the ruck, the Power was forced to adapt to a different team dyanmic and new opponent in Adelaide.
The Crows controlled play early and booted three majors for the term, however the Power was lucky to only trail by a handful of points with its crosstown rival twice hitting the goal post from set shots.
Aaron Young was the Power’s only first half goal scorer and his influence was noticeable early in the match running through the middle.
The Crows continued to press Port Adelaide after half time and extended their lead to 22 points.
But the Power responded through Cameron O’Shea, Angus Monfries and Brendon Ah Chee to bridge the margin back to ten points late in the half.
A late goal to acting Crows skipper Richard Douglas put the game beyond doubt with Adelaide running out sixteen point winners at the close of play.
Port Adelaide’s focus will now turn to its second round NAB Cup clash with Melbourne in Renmark on March 3.
SCOREBOARD
Adelaide Crows 0.6.3 (43) def
Port Adelaide 0.4.3 (27)
Goals: Young, O'Shea, Monfries, Ah Chee
Disposals: Monfries, Mitchell 11, Cornes 9, Blee 8
Tackles: Moore 3, Trengove, Thomas, Schulz 2
Marks: Paul Stewart 3 Hitouts: Westfoff, Trengove 4
