End Game
Port Adelaide again was unable to close down the match against Adelaide after hitting the lead late in the third term. Despite being underdogs, the Power was able to claw back a four-goal deficit to lead by a slender three-point margin at the final change. Taylor Walker banged on six goals throughout the course of the game to seal it for the Crows and open out an uncatchable lead during the final quarter - Port Adelaide going down by 19 points. The Power’s depth will be tested by the injury to another key forward in Jay Schulz after his eye was scratched in a nasty incident with Michael Doughty’s outstretched arm.
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) def by
Adelaide 16.14 (110)
Best: Westhoff, Rodan, Brad Ebert, Boak, Broadbent, Carlile
Goals: Westhoff, Butcher 4, Broadbent, Brad Ebert 2, Schulz, Jacobs
Injuries: Schulz (scratched eye)
Headlines
Resilience Needed: Primus
Schulz Injury Update
PTV: Power v Crows Highlights
PTV: Carr Post-Match
Quarter-By-Quarter
In his own words - Travis Boak
Our backs were fantastic all night, but we (the midfield) just didn’t give our forwards enough ball and that’s where they (the Crows) killed us in the last quarter.”
“I think we showed that we’re not scarred from last year or anything - it was an arm wrestle in round 1 and we got the four points and its come down to us as a midfield group standing up when it counts.”
What it means
Port Adelaide’s loss is its fourth in as many weeks, and its fourth by a margin less than five goals. Port’s average losing margin this year sits at 22 points - a tough pill to swallow for the boys after being in competitive positions late in the game and allowing the game to slip away late. Port again trailed on the stats sheet for tackles and contested possessions, which are areas that coach Matthew Primus identified pre-game as the key to the Power winning games this year. Whilst stats don’t tell the story of a football club - coach Primus will want these indicators of intensity and commitment to improve against Richmond.
The future
The Power’s competitiveness in the last four games provides an important foundation for the future but it will ultimately be measured at season’s end by its ladder position. It is critical for Port Adelaide to win against Richmond this week not only for four points but also the psychological boost it will provide to a team that knows it should be winning football games. It will be a steep challenge - Richmond pushing West Coast on Sunday and itself sitting on a 1-4 record. The potential loss of Jay Schulz in addition to Robbie Gray for the season will stretch the Power’s forward stocks, and put a greater importance on the performance of supporting attackers and the Power’s midfield to convert goals.
Injury list
Jay Schulz will be evaluated during the week to ascertain the damage done to his eye.
Welcome to the club
Aaron Young had a solid debut for Port Adelaide after being subbed on for the injured Schulz after half-time. Young was instrumental in setting up Brad Ebert for a goal within moments of coming onto the field and provided support across the ground throughout the quarter-and-a-bit he played. By no means a one-for-one substitute for Schulz, Young nevertheless was serviceable on debut and should be a starter against Richmond.
The Black and White
Port Adelaide went down to South Adelaide at Noarlunga in an almost carbon copy of the AFL game played the following day. The Magpies couldn’t contain South Adelaide power forward combination of Andrew Ainger and Michael Wundke who broke the game open for the home side. Despite the loss, Brett Ebert (5 goals) and Adam Cockshell (4) pushed the Panthers in one of the year’s best shootouts. The Pies just couldn’t sustain it in the end though and South ran out easy winners.
Port Adelaide must now face an in-form West Adelaide at Richmond this Saturday in what is a critical game for the Magpies - now at risk of being trenched at eighth on the ladder
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 17.14 (116) def by
South Adelaide 21.10 (136))
Best: Brett Ebert, Dolling, Cockshell, Meiklejohn, McKenzie
Goals: Brett Ebert 5, Cockshell 4, Gray, Summerton 2, Clayton, Grove, McKenzie, Meiklejohn
Coming Up
Sunday 6 May, 4.10pm
Port Adelaide v Richmond
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
Saturday 5 May, 2.10pm
West Adelaide v Port Adelaide
City Mazda Stadium, Richmond
What it means
Port Adelaide’s loss is its fourth in as many weeks, and its fourth by a margin less than five goals. Port’s average losing margin this year sits at 22 points - a tough pill to swallow for the boys after being in competitive positions late in the game and allowing the game to slip away late. Port again trailed on the stats sheet for tackles and contested possessions, which are areas that coach Matthew Primus identified pre-game as the key to the Power winning games this year. Whilst stats don’t tell the story of a football club - coach Primus will want these indicators of intensity and commitment to improve against Richmond.
The future
The Power’s competitiveness in the last four games provides an important foundation for the future but it will ultimately be measured at season’s end by its ladder position. It is critical for Port Adelaide to win against Richmond this week not only for four points but also the psychological boost it will provide to a team that knows it should be winning football games. It will be a steep challenge - Richmond pushing West Coast on Sunday and itself sitting on a 1-4 record. The potential loss of Jay Schulz in addition to Robbie Gray for the season will stretch the Power’s forward stocks, and put a greater importance on the performance of supporting attackers and the Power’s midfield to convert goals.
Injury list
Jay Schulz will be evaluated during the week to ascertain the damage done to his eye.
Welcome to the club
Aaron Young had a solid debut for Port Adelaide after being subbed on for the injured Schulz after half-time. Young was instrumental in setting up Brad Ebert for a goal within moments of coming onto the field and provided support across the ground throughout the quarter-and-a-bit he played. By no means a one-for-one substitute for Schulz, Young nevertheless was serviceable on debut and should be a starter against Richmond.
The Black and White
Port Adelaide went down to South Adelaide at Noarlunga in an almost carbon copy of the AFL game played the following day. The Magpies couldn’t contain South Adelaide power forward combination of Andrew Ainger and Michael Wundke who broke the game open for the home side. Despite the loss, Brett Ebert (5 goals) and Adam Cockshell (4) pushed the Panthers in one of the year’s best shootouts. The Pies just couldn’t sustain it in the end though and South ran out easy winners.
Port Adelaide must now face an in-form West Adelaide at Richmond this Saturday in what is a critical game for the Magpies - now at risk of being trenched at eighth on the ladder
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 17.14 (116) def by
South Adelaide 21.10 (136))
Best: Brett Ebert, Dolling, Cockshell, Meiklejohn, McKenzie
Goals: Brett Ebert 5, Cockshell 4, Gray, Summerton 2, Clayton, Grove, McKenzie, Meiklejohn
Coming Up
Sunday 6 May, 4.10pm
Port Adelaide v Richmond
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
Saturday 5 May, 2.10pm
West Adelaide v Port Adelaide
City Mazda Stadium, Richmond
