Scott Lockhart reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
Port Adelaide has claimed their first victory for the 2008 season, dispensing of the Eagles by 24 points at Subiaco Oval on Sunday evening.
Despite starting the match underdogs at Subiaco Oval for the first time in many seasons, the Eagles started with intensity and run that has been missing over the last month and they were rewarded for this after Ben McKinley opened the scoring with a strong mark and goal. Yet the Eagles were unable to fully capitalize on their early opportunities with Port Adelaide slowly building momentum as their skills began to shine in a tough, tight and ugly contest.
Port’s new found form shone through as they kicked successive goals from Daniel Motlop and Adam Thomson, but were wasteful as they dominated the Inside 50’s for very little reward. as they continued to struggle to kick truly and were ineffective with their forward line disposal. A second goal to McKinley put the Eagles back in front of the scoreboard as they found themselves, somewhat undeservedly, leading by 2 points at the first change.
Port continued to test the new look Eagles side after the break, with Daniel Motlop kicking his second shortly into the term to hand the lead back to last years Grand Finalists. This lead was extended to beyond two goals when Thomson again showed his strong presence up forward to kick his second for the match. The Eagles, who are now without former stars Chris Judd and Ben Cousins, continue to appear to be a shadow of their former selves with weak tackles, and a lack of pressure and commitment from a number of players epitomizing their year this far and throughout this second term.
A five goal haul in the space of ten minutes, including two stunning kicks from Shaun Burgoyne, had Port Adelaide leading by what appeared to be an insurmountable six goals, shortly before the half time break. Veteran Port forward Warren Tredrea began to assert himself for the Power, kicking two quick goals, as the Eagles defense continued to be undermanned and outclassed by their much larger opponents. Port Adelaide looking clear winners at Half time, leading by 37 points.
Any hopes of an Eagles revival appeared to be exterminated when Motlop and Westhoff goaled in quick succession shortly after the main break to extend the visiting sides lead to 49 points in what continued to be an extremely impressive performance. In a much needed spark to the match, West Coast lifted their intensity and began to take the contest up to Port Adelaide. Goals to Chad Jones, Lynch and Wirrapanda had the lead to within five goals half way through the third term, but Port Adelaide were able to maintain their comfortable lead and wrestle back the momentum each time the Eagles seemed to be pressing forward. Despite their improved performance, the Eagles found themselves further behind after late goals to Ebert and Cassisi as Port surged to a seven goal lead with a term to play.
Brett Ebert was the star of the final quarter as his early three consecutive goals stretched the lead out to 62 points as Port Adelaide showed no mercy to their undermanned and underperforming opponents. The Power simply too good as they dominated possession, out-marked and outplayed West Coast in a performance that will send warnings to the rest of the competition. Late goals to Selwood, Kerr, McKinley and Lynch added respectibility to the scoreboard but were nothing but consolations in a sobering performance for the once mighty Eagles.
Next week West Coast travel to Melbourne for a clash with the Western Bulldogs, while the Power return to Adelaide for a crucial Saturday night clash with St. KIlda at AAMI Stadium.
Final Score: WCE: 3.3 5.4 9.5 16.8 (104) Port: 2.7 10.11 15.11 19.14 (128) Best WCE: McKinley Wirrapanda, Cox Port: Thomson, Rodan, S Burgoyne, Motlop Goals WCE: McKinley 5, Wirrapanda Selwood Lynch 2, Jones Cox Spangher Armstrong 1. Port: Motlop Ebert 4, S Burgoyne 3, Tredrea Thomson 2, Lade Westhoff Cassisi Rodan 1. Injuries: Thomson (shoulder) Reports: Nil Umpires: Ryan, Wenn, Nicholls Crowd: 38,302
Article last changed on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 2:28 PM EDT
