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by Barry Kennedy, for AFANA, reporting from Melbourne, Australia

The clash between Melbourne and Port loomed as an interesting contest from the outset. Port had put together four straight wins, including getting over the line against the West Coast Eagles last round. The Power's winning form had also earned them an unlikely place in the Eight, based on its early season from. For its part Melbourne had strung together two months of top-class football via a heady mix of skillful and tough football. The biggest point of interest in this game however was clearly a red hot Byron Pickett lining up against his former employer. Port played 37 games at the MCG since Pickett took a Norm Smith medal while playing for Port in the 2004 grand final.

 

The game opened brightly enough with space and speed aplenty. The tough engine rooms looked well matched and offered entertaining contests, none more than Chad Cornes on Cameron Bruce.

 

David Neitz wasted no time stamping his imprint on the game by out-bodying Daryl Wakelin for the first goal for Melbourne, followed by a useful gather and goal shortly after. Port started its assault on the scoreboard with a well converted kick from Josh Mahoney from beyond 50. Travis Johnstone had some nice touches as did Bruce before Brad Green kicked the Dees third.

 

Shane Burgoyne and Stuart Dew were busy for Port, Dew steering through another of his trademark missiles from 60 meters.  Adam Yze and Russell Robertson proved a handful up forward in the later stages of the quarter with Robertson posting two majors. The Demons looked a shade classier at the completion of the first quarter and took a handy ten point lead into the first change.

 

A nice centering kick from Brock McLean to Jeff White gave Melbourne the initiative early in the second term. Shane Burgoyne got one back for the power after Dean Brogan laid a great tackle. Burgoyne proved himself an observant opportunist again 5 minutes later after a clever gather in the square. When Kane Cornes majored from a free kick it was scores even and game on. The Power was getting a commanding performance from Shaun Burgoyne, supported by Stuart Dew and Kane Cornes. Their younger brigade were also important with Adam Thompson and Michael Pettigrew leading the way and Brad Symes doing a fine job on Aaron Davey. Melbourne steadied before the main break, via Adam Yze, who was lucky to be awarded a free kick at goal. Melbourne was a goal in front going into half-time.

 

Port’s developing team was put under extreme pressure when the second half got under way. Melbourne’s midfielders started hitting their straps with decisive centre breaks and delivery into the Melbourne forward line. Bruce got well on top of Chad Cornes while Brock McLean’s bullocking and, Travis Johnstone’s foot skills began to affect the match. Neitz missed a set shot and Robertson messed up another, before Bradley Symes got Port back within one point. This was the closest the boys from Adelaide would come.

 

The Demons were looking the better side, when a spearing pass by Cameron Bruce to Yze resulted in a goal and the subsequent bounce in the center came straight back to Neitz for another, Port looked in trouble. Neitz got his fourth to the delight of the Melbourne faithful and had another hit the post to take the margin to 20 points.

 

Port managed to respond with a goal for Josh Mahoney from a clever kick by Nathan Lonie before McLean hit back with a class goal from 50. Michael Pettigrew kept Port in touch with what will surely be the luckiest goal of his career. Pettigrew’s hurried kick from a scramble on the goal line was smothered by the goal umpire who was standing in front off the post. Relays clearly showed it would have hit the post. Port’s luck was short lived as Melbourne’s livewire forward Aaron Davey decided to unveil his latest party trick. This week Davey managed to thread a goal through the legs and arms of three players in a kick off the ground resembling a free kick around a wall typical in soccer. This made the margin 29 points.

 

The flickering hope’s of the port Adelaide side was quickly shut out by Davey’s second 4 minutes into the last. Sylvia, Neitz and McLean also kicked straight before the foot was taken off the accelerator by the home side. Dew, Burgoyne and Josh Mahoney added respectability for Port as Melbourne rested some of its stars. The final margin was 38 points.

 

Melbourne’s best was again Cameron Bruce who dominated an out of sorts Chad Cornes. Johnstone, McLean and McDonald were able assistants in a well functioning midfield which gave full forward Neitz great supply all day. Neitz responded with five goals and a presence the Power sorely missed in the absence of their champion, Warren Tredrea. Davey, Green and Bartram were also good for the Demons, while White shaded Port’s Lade and Brogan. Pickett was relatively quiet against his old team mates but he did produce three or four exciting runs.

 

Port were never disappointing in a game which had positives for the 2004 premier. Many of their young players like Pettigrew, Danyle Pearce and Adam Thompson are coming through rapidly. Stuart Dew, Kane Cornes and Brendan Lade were solid again and Shaun Burgoyne a clear best on ground. Burgoyne is a strong chances of All Australian selection this year and perhaps the Port best and fairest.

 

Melbourne travels north next week with a great chance of a rare win in Brisbane followed by Richmond at home and a trip to WA to play Fremantle. Port hosts Richmond next week before traveling to Geelong and Tasmania to play the Saints. The Power will be hoping for a speedy return of Tredrea. All of their opponents in the next three rounds are battling for a spot in the bottom half of the top eight and Port will need some wins to keep their finals hopes alive.

 

Melbourne has proved a lot so far this year and continue to build momentum. Port’s generational change is well under way, but Port fans will be ruing a decision made late last year to move Pickett on. Still a lot can happen in 37 games.

 

 

 

Melbourne 5.1 7.5 13.10 18.12 (120)
Port 3.3 6.5 9.5 12.10 (82)
Goals Melbourne: Neitz 5 Robertson 3 Yze 2 Green 2 
Davey 2 McLean 2 Sylvia White 1 Port: S Burgoyne 3, Mahoney 3 
Dew 2, K Cornes Symes Pettigrew Cassissi Best Melbourne Bruce 
Johnstone McLean McDonald Yze Neitz Green Bartram Port S 
Burgoyne Dew Mahoney K Cornes Lade Motlop
Umpires Davis S McInerary S Wenn
Crowd 24,283 At MCG

 

 

 

Article last changed on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 11:12 PM EDT


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