PORT Adelaide recovered from its worst loss of the season with an impressive 5 goal victory over South Adelaide on Saturday.
Forward Bradley Mercer was unstoppable all day bagging 8 goals.
Mercer had 11 kicks for the game and scored every time he touched the ball.
Port Adelaide took the lead with three goals in five minutes in the second term and never looked back.
The Magpies were particularly impressive with their run off halfback, led by second-gamer Justin Hoskins.
However, Hoskins could’ve easily been mistaken for a veteran out there as he racked up 26 disposals and cut off South Adelaide’s supply.
Hoskins wasn’t the only one causing problems for the Panthers down back with Mark Dolling and Luke Slattery proving equally effective.
Dolling couldn’t get away from the ball if he wanted to, leading all players with 33 possessions.
Two early goals in the second quarter gave South Adelaide a serious sniff as they got within two points but Port Adelaide stopped the run and managed to regain a 16 point lead at the half.
The defensive pressure by Port Adelaide was impressive, with 26 more tackles than the Panthers.
Fourth-gamer, Ben Yeomans led the charge leading his team with 7 tackles.
The Magpies were a different team to that of seven days ago, eclipsing last week’s final score well before the main break.
Port Adelaide won the game with its dynamic tackling and pressure around the ball and looked impressive with their run and carry as they moved the ball up the ground.
Oh, and did we mention that Brad Mercer kicked 8?
Port Adelaide asserted its ruck dominance with captain, James Meiklejohn taking 34 hit outs.
Meanwhile, South Adelaide would’ve even liked to have had Port’s back-up ruck, Ivan Maric who had 14 of his own- more than any South Adelaide ruckman.
The Magpies entered the final quarter up four goals but they went on to kick the first four of the quarter to put them up by 48 points.
However, South Adelaide kicked the last three with the game decided to keep the final margin close.
Port Adelaide’s third win of the season takes their record at Alberton to 3-0 in 2011.
Panthers’ forward Michael Wundke tried to keep pace with Mercer kicking 7 of his own, but Port Adelaide was relentless moving forward going inside 50 55 times to South’s 32.
Port Adelaide look for their fourth win next Sunday as they take on Sturt at AAMI Stadium.
Final Score:
Magpies 4.4 7.7 11.9 16.10 (106)
Panthers 2.3 5.3 8.3 12.4 (76)
Goals: Mercer 8, Summerton 3, Ebert 2, Maric, Harder, Kulikowski.
Best: Mercer, Summerton, Hoskins, Dolling, Banner, Meiklejohn.
