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First quarter
The Western Bulldogs came out firing early in the tribute game dedicated to their only premiership captain and coach, Charlie Sutton.
The Bulldogs kicked the first goal through Liam Jones in a good passage of play for the home side - with the Power unable to convert from the first inside 50 for the game. As the Dogs continued to dominate the play, Port was able to steady through some tempo football and work the ball back into attack through Justin Westhoff playing off half back.
Jay Schulz set up Andrew Moore in the forward pocket who promptly converted a ten metre checkside.
Defensively, Port Adelaide was up against it through the middle of the quarter, the Bulldogs holding another five scoring shots to none and was eventually able to score their second on the back of four behinds to extend their margin to a goal.
Maintaining over 70% of possession for the quarter, the Bulldogs continued to assault the Power’s backlines and put their third for the quarter to open a comfortable sixteen point lead.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 1.0 (6) trails
Western Bulldogs 3.6 (23)
Second Quarter The Western Bulldogs came out firing early in the tribute game dedicated to their only premiership captain and coach, Charlie Sutton.
The Bulldogs kicked the first goal through Liam Jones in a good passage of play for the home side - with the Power unable to convert from the first inside 50 for the game. As the Dogs continued to dominate the play, Port was able to steady through some tempo football and work the ball back into attack through Justin Westhoff playing off half back.
Jay Schulz set up Andrew Moore in the forward pocket who promptly converted a ten metre checkside.
Defensively, Port Adelaide was up against it through the middle of the quarter, the Bulldogs holding another five scoring shots to none and was eventually able to score their second on the back of four behinds to extend their margin to a goal.
Maintaining over 70% of possession for the quarter, the Bulldogs continued to assault the Power’s backlines and put their third for the quarter to open a comfortable sixteen point lead.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 1.0 (6) trails
Western Bulldogs 3.6 (23)
After being beaten considerably in the first term, Port Adelaide came out of the blocks with a stirring start - closing the Bulldogs’ gap to just five points through goals to Jay Schulz and Brett Ebert. Things went awry for the Power in a horror series of minutes, Schulz forced from the ground after being downed by teammate Justin Westhoff when both attempted a pack mark.
Port Adelaide entered a passage of dominant play but didn’t convert its chances - John McCarthy highlighting this inability through missing an open goal.
Whilst the Bulldogs converted their next opportunity, but the Power again surged back with a goal to Jay Schulz, now back on the field, to bring the margin back to five points.
Adam Cooney kicked another for the home side on the siren to extend the Bulldogs’ margin to 12 points at the main break.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 4.3 (28)
Western Bulldogs 5.10 (40)
Third quarter
Matthew Broadbent put Port Adelaide on the front foot early with a great running goal to open the game to bring the margin back to just one goal but for all of Port Adelaide’s responses to the scoreboard, the Bulldogs in turn had answers.
Kicking the next two goals of the quarter, the Bulldogs managed to put the Power to the hilt and dominated the next passage of play comfortably - putting on numerous goals to open up a 20 point lead.
The Power continued its habit of bridging the gap back and through both Brett Ebert and Brad Ebert - managed to bring the scoreline back to 13 points halfway through the quarter.
Port Adelaide was kept in the game by virtue of the Bulldogs’ inaccuracy, with limited opportunities inside 50 bringing the Power’s key forwards into the middle of the ground.
Luke Dahlhaus kicked the Bulldogs ninth for the night to open it up a 22 point advantage at the final change.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 7.6 (48) trails
Western Bulldogs 9.16 (70)
Fourth quarter The Western Bulldogs came into the fourth quarter with a 22 point lead and blew it open to a 32 point buffer over Port Adelaide with the opening two goals of the quarter. Kicking the next two goals of the quarter, the Bulldogs managed to put the Power to the hilt and dominated the next passage of play comfortably - putting on numerous goals to open up a 20 point lead.
The Power continued its habit of bridging the gap back and through both Brett Ebert and Brad Ebert - managed to bring the scoreline back to 13 points halfway through the quarter.
Port Adelaide was kept in the game by virtue of the Bulldogs’ inaccuracy, with limited opportunities inside 50 bringing the Power’s key forwards into the middle of the ground.
Luke Dahlhaus kicked the Bulldogs ninth for the night to open it up a 22 point advantage at the final change.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 7.6 (48) trails
Western Bulldogs 9.16 (70)
Although the Power was able to enter attacking fifty several times, it was usually to a 2 or 3-on-1 option.
Port managed its first response through Jay Schulz taking a strong forward mark and converting for his third for the night - by all standards a top notch performance after leaving the field midway through the game.
With the loss of Hamish Hartlett around the ball and battered and bruised options up forward, Port Adelaide was unable to effect any advantage up forward beyond the half way point of the quarter.
Running away with the game, the Western Bulldogs increased their lead with the Power unable to find the transition and carry off half back to respond to the Bulldogs - the Power eventually going down by 38 points.
Final scoreboard
Port Adelaide 8.9 (57) def by
Western Bulldogs 13.17 (95)
Best: Brad Ebert, Broadbent, Cornes, Pearce, Chaplin, Schulz
Goals: Schulz 3, Brett Ebert 2, Broadbent, Brad Ebert, Moore
