THE SYDNEY Swans have kicked away from Port Adelaide in a six goals to three final term to win by 22 points at AAM Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Swans won 16.9 (105) to 12.11 (83), notching their third win from three for the season, with co-captain Adam Goodes reported for rough conduct against Jacob Surjan.
The gap was just three points in favour of the Swans at three-quarter time, and Brad Ebert had a chance to grab the lead for Port early in the final term, but his kick hit the post. The Swans then responded quickly through Sam Reid, stretching the lead to nine points.
Power came again with a goal to Daniel Stewart after fine work from Jay Schulz and Danyle Pearce, but Adam Goodes goaled from the resulting centre bounce. The hard-running dual Brownlow medallist was also involved in the next Swans goal, which followed quickly through Ryan O'Keefe, who capitalised on a mistake from substitute Cameron O'Shea.
Goals to Shane Mumford, Lewis Jetta and Jarrad McVeigh sealed the deal for the Swans, with Daniel Stewart and Matt Thomas managing late consolations for Port.
Power came quickly out of the blocks with the first two goals of the match before the Swans fought back with the next three. It was end-to-end stuff in the first quarter, which ended with the visitors leading by 12 points.
They stretched that marginally to 16 points at the main break, but Port Adelaide fought back during a third term in which they dominated play but failed to translate that onto the scoreboard.
Port's losing streak to Sydney, dating back to 2006, was extended to eight matches despite the best efforts of sweeping defender Hamish Hartlett, Justin Westhoff (two goals) and recruit Ebert (two goals)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.2 5.6 9.9 12.11 (83)
SYDNEY SWANS 5.2 8.4 10.6 16.9 (105)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: D. Stewart 3, Schulz, Ebert, Westhof 2, Surjan, Broadbent, Thomas
Sydney Swans: Jetta 3, Bird, White, Goodes, O'Keefe 2, Bolton, McGlynn, McVeigh Reid, Mumford
BEST
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Trengove, Cassisi, Gray, Westhoff, D. Stewart
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Hannebery, Goodes, Malceski, Parker, Mumford
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Sydney Swans: Nil
SUBS
Port Adelaide's Cameron O'Shea replaced Alipate Carlile in the fourth quarter
Sydney Swan Andrejs Everitt replaced Ben McGlynn in the third quarter
REPORTS
Port Adelaide: Nil
Sydney Swans: Adam Goodes (rough conduct) against Jacob Surjan in the second quarter
Umpires: Nicholls, Hay, Pannell
Official crowd: 19,032 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
