PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU looks back on the moments that stood out most through 2015 - highs and lows - on the eve of the New Year.
5. Toumpas and Dixon
Jimmy Toumpas and Charlie Dixon both made their way to Alberton in the off season through the trade period. Dixon was a much-anticipated signing, while Toumpas’s recruitment would have caught a few fans off-guard. It continued a trend of important trade deals in the last four years, on the back of Paddy Ryder (2014), Jared Polec (2013) and Angus Monfries (2012).
4. Kane Cornes’s retirement
Kane Cornes became Port Adelaide’s first player to reach 300 AFL games when he called time on his career in Round 8 against Richmond. The Power was brushed aside by the Tigers, so it wasn’t the way Cornes would have wanted to bow out, but the elder statesman of the playing group soaked up one last opportunity to say thanks to the crowd and enjoy a final moment on the field as an AFL player.
3. Beating the Brown and Gold (Mark II)
It's rare that an AFL premier loses to a non-finallist twice in the same season, but Port Adelaide, inconsistent all year and unable to clinch a finals berth, took a little win out of 2015 by beating Hawthorn for a second time in Round 21. That’s not the reason this game made the list though. Instead, this was undoubtedly the Power’s best performance for the year. Chad Wingard – bullied by Hawks skipper Luke Hodge – responded with an incredible game up forward; freshmen Brendon Ah Chee and Sam Gray rose to the occasion to wrong foot their Hawthorn opponents; and the Power produced a performance that showed its capability – something fans were deprived on regularly in 2015.
2. Walshy remembered with wet weather classic
Port Adelaide was unable to participate in the round of commemorations to its life member and former assistant Phil Walsh, having finished playing just hours before his passing. Hosting Collingwood in a frantic game at the Adelaide Oval, the Power battled its way into the lead and held strong amid the rain. An incredible match with plenty on the line was won by Port, as both sides lined up as the Oval lights dimmed and the ground was illuminated by the crowd in tribute to a man who gave plenty to Port Adelaide.
1. Beating the Brown and Gold (Mark I)
From the minute’s silence where you could hear a pin drop to the epic opening term from the Power and the Hawks’ ensuing fight back, this was a classic game that had it all. Port Adelaide hung on against the reigning (and eventual) premier’s onslaught after quarter time. An incredible match won by a desperate Power outfit.
Bring on 2016.
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