PORT ADELAIDE returned to winning form when it beat Melbourne by 51-points at the Gabba on Thursday night.

Despite the five day turn around Port was full of energy as it booted the first six goals of the encounter and was never headed.

Here are some key things we learned from the loss to the Saints.

1) Port likes being top, top, top

Port Adelaide’s win ensured the club would retain top spot on the ladder, as it has done since its Round 1 win over Gold Coast, way back in March. It is an incredible achievement to remain so consistent in such an inconsistent and unpredictable season, but Ken Hinkley and his men will know it will count for nothing if they are not challenging deep into the finals.

Stats guru @sirswampthing on Twitter provided some absolute gold on that front with the realisation that Port is the only side not to drop out of the top eight all season, pointing out that every other team has been tenth or lower at some point so far in 2020.

2) Stats don’t tell the full story.

Port Adelaide lost the hit-outs 44-13, the clearances 30-29, and had nine fewer one-percenters yet anyone watching the match would have realised that for all of Melbourne skipper Max Gawn’s dominance in the ruck it amounted to very little. Having been belted in the middle on the weekend against St Kilda, Port’s prime movers like Ollie Wines, Travis Boak, Tom Rockliff and Sam Powell-Pepper ensured there was no repeat on Thursday night. They won the contested possession count and gave Port first look on most occasions, leading to a 47-31 inside 50 count. Plus the delivery inside 50 was much improved, leading to Port taking most of its opportunities unlike what happened against the Saints. In fact of its 12.11, two of the behinds – to Connor Rozee and Kane Farrell – were goal bound efforts that were touched. 

3) Georgiades can play

A lot has been said about Port Adelaide’s 2018 draft crop but there has been limited opportunity so far to see what 2019’s lot will deliver. Mitch Georgiades has now had three games and his third against the Demons was by far his best. He finished with three goals and was a presence in attack all night. The young forward thrived while Charlie Dixon dealt with a triple team, taking high marks and finishing his work, as well as finding himself in good positions on the ground. Eleven possessions, five marks, two tackles and 3.2 is not a bad night’s work for an 18 year-old. And with highlights like this, it’s easy to see why he is already a fan favourite amongst Port supporters.

4) Port likes playing the Demons.

Thursday night’s result was the third straight win for Port over Melbourne and the tenth in the last 12 games. It takes the overall record to 22 wins in 35 games for the Power over the Demons, which is handy in anyone’s book.

It was also the seventh time the sides had met on neutral territory, although on previous occasions those encounters were in the Northern Territory and not forced by any global pandemic. For the record, Port’s results against Melbourne at TIO Stadium in Darwin were two losses and a win, and at Traeger Park in Alice Springs it has three straight wins.

5) Depth on show.

Injuries to Todd Marshall and Riley Bonner made it six in a fortnight, with the absences of Scott Lycett, Ryan Burton, Steven Motlop and Trent McKenzie. In came Peter Ladhams, Tom Rockliff, Sam Mayes, Jarrod Lienert and Mitch Georgiades in recent weeks and each has shown the quality of the depth on Port’s list. Mayes in particular has settled straight into the side and had his best game in a couple of years on Thursday night with 19 disposals, six marks, two tackles and his first goal for the club.  

With a congested fixture to come including a quick turnaround for a game on Monday night against the Western Bulldogs, there is no doubt the depth at most clubs will be tested. Ken Hinkley on Thursday noted others also waiting in the wings with Boyd Woodcock nudging closer to an AFL debut along with first-round draftees Miles Bergman and Jackson Mead, while defender Joel Garner, midfielder Willem Drew and forward Tobin Cox have also been pressing their claims for selection.