PORT ADELAIDE has survived a nervous final quarter to overcome a persistent Hawthorn outfit in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Zak Butters made sure of the result at Adelaide Oval with a late goal after bursting through a pack at full pace, as Port got back on the winners’ list 9.14 (68) to 9.4 (58).
The talk throughout the week was that Port Adelaide lacked energy in its disappointing loss to Geelong last week so an improved response was expected, but it did not pan out that way early with the Hawks settling best.
The visitors found themselves three goals up within ten minutes with former Port Adelaide players Chad Wingard and Shaun Burgoyne contributing two of the majors and Jarman Impey causing problems with his pace on the wing.
Wearing a special Indigenous guernsey designed by Kaurna custodian Karl Telfer which included the names of 62 past and current Indigenous players to represent Port – including Wingard, Burgoyne and Impey - Port finally got going in the 20th minute when Brad Ebert ran into an open goal on his return to the side.
BID NOW on player match worn and signed 2020 Indigenous Guernseys
A down field free kick gave Charlie Dixon a chance to open his account and the big forward made no mistake from 40 metres out on a slight angle, but a late high tackle saw Liam Shields leave the field and Ben McEvoy boot a settling goal for the Hawks to given them a 10-point lead at the first break.
Coach Ken Hinkley must have delivered some strong words at quarter time because his side was different in the second term.
It had the first three goals of the quarter, starting with a set shot by Butters after trapping an opponent holding the ball inside 50.
Robbie Gray did a Robbie Gray thing and snapped a classy goal from the tightest of angles and Karl Amon repeated the feat from the opposite pocket and suddenly Port led by eight points.
Skipper Tom Jonas was continuing his strong form and showed all of his courage with a strong defensive mark back with the flight that is sure to make the highlight reels.
Luke Breust capitalised on what looked to be a free kick to Jonas and goaled for the Hawks but Boyd Woodcock had the last say after marking 25 metres out and goaling.
There was plenty of feeling in the game with a melee breaking out while Woodcock was kicking, leaving Dixon shirtless and potentially a few players a few dollars lighter come match review time.
In his 200th game, Tom Rockliff was at his ball-winning best with 17 disposals by the half time break, as Port went in eight points to the good.
The third quarter ebbed and flowed with neither side stamping their authority on the contest.
Dixon snapped a clever goal after a free kick on the goal line and Port should have gone 22 points up immediately after when a free kick was called before the ball made it back to the middle, but teenager Mitch Georgiades missed his set shot.
Minutes later Oliver Hanrahan roved off the pack and snapped a goal of his own and when Wingard booted his second, it was a one-goal game.
Port was inaccurate in front of goal and the Hawks made them pay with Impey completing the trio of past players to goal against the Power on the night.
As the sun set over Adelaide Oval scores were level heading into the final change.
Port Adelaide dominated the start of the quarter and peppered the goals with three consecutive behinds, but after three misses himself, Mitch Georgiades goaled to give Port some breathing space.
Burgoyne made it a nervous conclusion when he willed his ageing legs to nail a long bomb from 50 metres out and close the margin to just four points.
But Port saved its best for last. A set play which saw Scott Lycett palm a ruck tap down to Zak Butters at full flight, and the youngster ran into an open goal to seal a much-needed win at home.
Travis Boak was outstanding for Port with a game-high 31 disposals – 16 of them contested – along with four marks, five tackles and a game-high nine clearances, while Rockliff made his milestone one to remember, finishing with 28 possessions, six tackles and three clearances.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 6.5 7.10 9.14 (68)
HAWTHORN 4.1 5.2 8.4 9.4 (58)
Goals
Dixon, Butters 2, Ebert, Gray, Amon, Woodcock, Georgiades
Best
Boak, Rockliff, Lycett, Powell-Pepper, Jonas, McKenzie, Wines
Crowd
Approx. 10,000 at Adelaide Oval.
