Watch the match highlights from Sunday’s game against Geelong. Can't see the video? Watch on YouTube.
IN wild conditions at the inhospitable Kardinia Park, Port Adelaide’s inexperienced squad pressed the Cats all day in a promising effort for the Power’s emerging contingent.
End Game
Heading into the match Port Adelaide was rated a $16.00 chance at victory. Deprived of its core group of players including its five-man leadership group (through injury), defensive forward Matt Thomas (through suspension) and hard man Jacob Surjan (a late omission), the Power was forced to put out its most inexperienced side for 2012.
Although the margin masked an otherwise serviceable effort where young players Matthew Lobbe, Tom Jonas and Andrew Moore stood up for the black, white and teal, skill errors resulting in turnovers were the primary source of Geelong’s scoring and will need to be remedied for Saturday's Showdown.
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 8.13 (61) def by
Geelong 14.15 (99)
Best: Broadbent, Pearce, Cornes, Logan, Rodan, McCarthy, Lobbe
Goals: Westhoff, Lobbe 2, Wingard, Cornes, Pfeiffer, Brett Ebert
Leader board
Disposals leader: John McCarthy (26)
Marks leader: John McCarthy, Troy Chaplin (7)
Tackles leader: Andrew Moore (11)
Clearances leader: Andrew Moore (6)
Hitouts leader: Matthew Lobbe (32)
Scores leader: Justin Westhoff, Matthew Lobbe (12 points)
Dreamteam leader: Matthew Lobbe (104)
Headlines
Logan, Pearce Get Votes
Primus Bemoans Errors
PTV Exclusive: Thomas Jonas
PTV Exclusive: 'Buddha' Hocking
Undermanned Power Falls To Cats
Power v Cats Highlights
Quarter-By-Quarter
Analysis
It’s tough to gauge exactly where Port Adelaide is at as a result of Sunday’s loss. With so many key players out of the side, and with typically wet conditions at Simonds Stadium, the Power’s 38-point loss leaves supporters none the wiser as to the side’s potential for the rest of 2012. What is certain is that skill errors cost the Power opportunities and Matthew Primus identified as much during his press conference. Missed shots on goal at close range and an inability to hit targets inside attacking 50 impeded Port’s chances at bridging the gap in the second term particularly. Positives came from the likes of Matthew Lobbe and Tom Jonas putting up their hand as returning young players, whilst Chad Wingard continues to find the ball through the centre and forward lines in his first season at AFL level.
Coming up
Most pundits consider the round 15 clash a tough game for the Power to win, particularly with Travis Boak and Jacob Surjan the only possible returns for Port Adelaide (still leaving out five other first-choice men). The young, inexperienced and fringe players that took to Simonds Stadium will need to put their hand up again and if execution and maintenance of possession improves, the Power will be right in with a chance.
Beyond Saturday night’s home match, Port Adelaide faces another tough challenge in likely top six candidate Essendon before a winnable contest against Melbourne in Darwin. With the club’s leadership group trickling back into the Power 22 over those weeks, team-wide skill level should improve as Port’s ideal line up settles back in.
Talent Scout
Fans would have loved Matthew Lobbe’s return to fully fledged AFL - leading Port Adelaide’s hit outs and providing quality ground work in an impressive return. It is somewhat unsurprising given his consistent performance for West Adelaide at SANFL level. His status as the Power’s Dream Team points leader in round 14 highlights the impact he had on game for Port Adelaide.
In profile: Matthew Lobbe
Injury list
No injuries were reported from the match, although Jacob Surjan was a late withdrawal with a hip complaint pre-game and is expected to face a fitness test ahead of Saturday night’s Balfours Showdown.
Read more: Injury update
Coming Up
Sunday 7 July, 7.10pm (SA time)
Balfours Showdown XXXIII
Port Adelaide v Adelaide
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
