1. It's a fine line for Ollie Wines
Ollie Wines has earned a reputation as a ball player in his five seasons with Port Adelaide but his bump on Tom Langdon is certain to be looked at by the Match Review Panel. It could even earn him a week on the sidelines for the Power’s important clash with the Bulldogs in Ballarat. Port had clearly been read the riot act after a sub-par performance against Adelaide in the Showdown and Wines was one of those players asked to lift. He chose to bump Langdon as he kicked the ball 13 minutes into the opening term and made contact with the Pie's head. The good news for Wines was that Langdon bounced straight back to his feet and was unhurt.

2. Selection table changes pay off for Power
Coach Ken Hinkley made some big calls at the selection table following the Port's insipid effort in last week’s Showdown. All of the players he brought into the side contributed and Port looked a more balanced outfit. Jake Neade replaced Angus Monfries in the small defensive forward role and played it beautifully. He should now be left in the side for the remainder of the season. Star Chad Wingard came in and added some class. Brendon Ah Chee, Dan Houston and Dougal Howard all came into the line-up and contributed. Port was smaller up forward with Jackson Trengove omitted. Ah Chee and Neade added bite and the Power applied far more pressure inside 50. A week is a long time in football and Port once again looked like a side which could have one or two things to say come finals. The Power are all but assured September action and are well placed to earn a home elimination final.

3. Pies put out of their misery
Collingwood’s unlikely run at a top-eight berth has come to an end and expect the attention to be turned straight back on to Nathan Buckley this week. Collingwood’s players have demonstrated with their effort level over the past month that they want Buckley at the helm. But everything at Collingwood gets scrutinised and this loss will again lead to talk about whether Buckley should lead the Pies in 2018. Collingwood’s outs for this game hurt them - in particular Brodie Grundy who was suspended for his dangerous tackle on North’s Ben Brown last week. The Magpies have missed the finals four years in a row under Buckley. History shows it is rare that a coach gets a fifth chance.

4. Reid showing good signs
Ben Reid single-handedly kicked Collingwood back into the contest during the third term and was one of the Pies' best. The big forward finished with 4.2 and kicked two third-term goals as the Pies surged back into the contest. Reid was an All Australian centre-half-back but, body willing, he could become the focal point for the Pies up forward in 2018. He took a game-high six contested marks in this match. The 2010 premiership star has had a horror run with injuries and Magpies fans will be desperately hoping his body stands up. 

Full match coverage and stats

5. Stars steady Port
Collingwood made a stirring surge at the Power during the third term and trimmed a margin north of five goals to just eight points. Port’s season was on the line during the last 40 minutes of this contest and its big guns stood up. Charlie Dixon’s work rate was immense and he kicked a steadying goal late in the third term. Chad Wingard spent some minutes in the centre square and helped arrest Collingwood’s advantage at centre clearances. Robbie Gray, Brett Ebert, Travis Boak, Ollie Wines and Justin Westhoff all had moments late in the contest. Paddy Ryder wasn’t the dominant force some predicted in this match and appeared to be hampered with a minor leg complaint. It was the skipper Boak who sealed the contest with a classy goal 26 minutes into the final term.

 

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