PORT ADELAIDE's return to SANFL football has not gone according to plan, going down to Norwood by 45 points at The Parade on Thursday night.
The Magpies got off to a great start after Tom Rockliff comfortably found Luke Surman who converted.
From there it was all the Redlegs, as they booted the next five goals of the opening term, including two from Dom Barry, to lead by 25 points at the first change.
Tempers flared at the start of the second quarter, which resulted in a goal for Jed Spence – Norwood’s sixth consecutive goal.
Trent Burgoyne snapped an early goal of the year contender to stop the rut, kicking a bending ball under intense pressure.
The Magpies were unable to follow up on Burgoyne’s goal, as the Redlegs responded.
Kane Farrell kept Port in the conversation with a magnificent kick from 45 metres out on an angle to ensure it trailed by 34 points at the main change.
Despite looking for a response straight from the half-time break, it was the Redlegs who blew the margin out to 40 points through Paul Puopolo.
Boyd Woodcock would respond with a quick snap out of a pack, but again Norwood responded, slotting the next two majors to lead by 46 points at three-quarter-time.
Experienced midfielder Tom Rockliff would go down with an injury in a clash early in the quarter and would take no further part in the game as the Redlegs continued to hold control.
Puopolo would snap his second, barely missing the goal post, to take the margin out to 53 points.
The Magpies would respond with their first consecutive goals of the match, with Surman nailing his second after a pack mark and followed up by a classy snap from father-son selection Taj Schofield.
Usual defender Joel Garner found his way forward for a late goal after he was hit on the chest by a neat kick from Schofield.
Sam Hayes was best on for the Pies, dominating the hit outs while also taking 10 marks.
Sam Mayes had 28 touches for Port, while Jarrod Lienert had 26 and Schofield racked up 22.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 1.2 3.4 4.7 6.10 (46)
Norwood 5.3 8.8 11.11 14.13 (97)
Best: Hayes, Lienert, Frederick, Mayes, Schofield.
Goals: Surman 2, Burgoyne, Farrell, Woodcock, Schofield, Garner.
