PORT ADELAIDE has enjoyed a second straight win in a breathless encounter with Sydney at Adelaide Oval.
In a see-sawing game where neither side was able to get more than 16 points in front, the game came to life in a frenzied final term as Port stuck firm to win 12.9 (81) to 10.11 (71).
Port was dealt an early blow with experienced defender Hamish Hartlett withdrawing with a hip complaint in the warm-up, bringing medical substitute Martin Frederick into the side and requiring Sam Mayes to leave a SANFL game at Prospect Oval at half time to take his place on the bench.
But the interrupted preparation did not seem to bother Port with Todd Marshall getting the home side on the board with the first major after two minutes following a week out with concussion.
The Swans responded through Will Hayward before a 50-metre penalty brought Connor Rozee within range and he nailed a set shot to put the home side back in front.
Hayward was proving problematic playing on former Swan Aliir Aliir and he snapped a second soon after as the visitors got three on the trot to open up a 12-point advantage.
The highlight of the quarter was a classy bomb from outside 50 by Kane Farrell after debutant Dylan Williams’ first touch brought the wingman into play.
Port closed to within a point early in the second term when Williams applied a strong tackle inside 50 and the ball found its way to Dan Houston free in the goal square for the easiest of majors.
In a high-scoring, end to end first quarter Port Adelaide had almost its entire score from turnover but the Swans led by six points at the first change.
The second term was a slower burn but three goals to one gave Port a four-point advantage.
Charlie Dixon had two of them for the home side, both from free kicks while Dan Houston had the other early in the term after finding himself free in the goal square when Williams forced the ball free with a forward pocket tackle.
Tom Papley’s raking effort from 50 kept the margin tight as the game developed into an arm wrestle at the main break.
Kept quiet with a hard tag by George Hewett, Travis Boak exploded in the third quarter with twelve disposals.
One of his first was a goal after some quick hands by Connor Rozee. Port also had the next through Miles Bergman after some desperate forward pressure caused a turnover.
Willem Drew’s tackling and smothering was a highlight and Rozee was chasing everything inside 50, even battering his body into the goal post in an attempt to close down an opponent on the last line.
Marshall’s second goal after a strong mark 20 metres out had the margin out to 15 points at the final change and Port looked relatively comfortable.
But as with recent weeks, Port found it harder to score in the last quarter. An early goal to Franklin brought the margin back to single digits and the Swans pressure was immense.
The 29,631 crowd at Adelaide Oval remained firmly in their seats as the game ebbed and flowed and the seconds ticked away.
Franklin was threatening to break the game open, and when he chased down and caught Port skipper Tom Jonas holding the ball just 10 metres out from goal and converted, the home side’s advantage was just two points.
To make matters worse, Trent McKenzie limped off with a shoulder injury after a heavy collision at half back, and without him around, Franklin found himself running into an open goal for his fourth to put the Swans in front.
The game turned again when a long ball inside 50 dropped off a pack to Mayes, now on the ground, and the man who had 13 disposals at SANFL level earlier in the day dribbled the ball home to put Port back in front.
A late goal to ruckman Scott Lycett off one step sealed the result as Port won its second game against top eight opposition in 2021 and moved into the competition’s top four.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 4.3 7.4 10.6 12.9 (81)
SYDNEY 5.3 6.6 7.9 10.11 (71)
Goals
Dixon, Marshall 2, Bergman, Boak, Farrell, Houston, Powell-Pepper, Rozee, Mayes, Lycett
Best
Wines, Boak, Drew, Bergman, Lycett, Dixon
