PORT ADELAIDE has fallen in its first game in three weeks, succumbing to Adelaide by 13 points in the SANFL Showdown at Adelaide Oval.
With the state’s COVID-19 lockdown and the SANFL on hold for a fortnight, Port looked rusty early on.
Conversely, the Crows got off to a flying start, kicking the first four goals of the match – reversing their slow start in the SANFL Showdown earlier in the year.
Shane McAdam got on the end of the first goal from a centre clearance and converted the set shot, before Bailey Marshman snapped home.
Lachlan Gollant added a quick double and Port was left shellshocked and facing a 23-point deficit early on.
Dylan Williams got the first for Port after taking the responsibility from more than 50 metres out and it sailed through the big sticks just over halfway through the first term.
It sparked his side into life as Jake Weidemann snared the second just minutes later following some slick ball movement on the wing from Tyson Goldsack.
After staring down the barrel of a long day, Matthew Lokan’s side had wrestled it back to 10 points at the first change.
Williams took just half a minute to cut the margin in the second quarter as he picked up the ball under pressure and snapped truly.
Both sides blew opportunities and missed easy kicks as the game hit a stalemate for the next 20 minutes.
The drought was ended by the Crows, as Samuel Kennedy and Cameron Hutchens landed two in a row.
Sean Samblich, who had impressed in the opening quarter with seven touches, then snapped over the top to ensure it was again 10 points the difference at half-time.
In a similar vein to the second term, Port got the first as Ollie Lord took a terrific towering mark and goaled.
The Crows quickly responded as Fischer McAsey converted, which was then followed by a snap by Tariek Newchurch.
The third term was full of stoppages and a lack of free-flowing football, with neither side scoring a major for 15 minutes.
James Rowe extended the Crows’ advantage with a snap before Williams gave Port Adelaide a pulse with his third late on.
With the Crows leading by 15 points at the final break, it looked like game over as Gollant booted his third for the Crows.
Some positional changes saw defender Joel Garner move forward and it looked to be a masterstroke as he marked and nailed one from 50 metres out.
Port’s charge continued as Williams marked in the pocket to bring it back to nine points before Garner snagged his second from the same pocket.
With the margin just two points, McAdam received a free kick inside 50 and converted to give the Crows a buffer.
Gollant slotted his fourth but Jarrod Lienert found his way forward and onto the scoreboard to give Port some hope.
James Rowe put an end to that hope with a simple set shot directly in front.
Sam Mayes had 34 touches, 11 clearances and seven inside 50s for Port, while Garner finished with 18 touches and two goals.
SCOREBOARD
Adelaide 4.0 6.3 9.4 13.4 (82)
Port Adelaide 2.2 4.5 6.7 10.9 (69)
Port Adelaide
Goals: Williams 4, Garner 2, Lienert, Lord, Samblich, Weidemann.
Best: Williams, Mayes, Hayes, Garner, Clurey, Lienert.
