R13: Port v Eagles Review

[Macca19]

RESERVES

The Magpies season is alive and kicking after winning their 5th straight match with a thumping 125 point victory at Alberton today.

The Magpies were clinical in their disassembling of the Eagles, kicking 10 goals in the first quarter. Pocket dynamo Sam Mardling had 4 goals to the first break. He would add another in the third quarter and was joined on 5 goals by Michael Clinch, and Brad Mercer who for the first time brought his dominant displays at U19s level to the reserves.

The Eagles outscored Port in the 2nd quarter, kicking 3 goals to 2 to bring the margin back to 41 points at the margin. After the break it was all Port Adelaide however as they put on one of the most impressive halfs of football seen at Alberton in a long time.

They kicked 7 goals to 1 in the third quarter but finished the match with a thumping 9 goal to 1 final term.

Almost the entire team could lay claim to a spot in the best players, but Todd Hughes, Harry Miller (4 goals), Sam Mardling, Cam Miller and Adam Pepe were excellent. For the Eagles it was a different matter. Jonathon Lee kicked two goals and tried hard, whilst Stuart Hill also impressed at half forward. Vinne Rugolo kicked a goal and had a lot of the ball.

PA 10.1 / 12.4 / 19.8 / 28.10 178
WW 2.1 / 5.5 / 6.9 / 7.11 53

BEST:
PA - T Hughes, Mardling, Pepe, Mercer, H Miller, Clinch, Sampson, Dolling, C Miller
WW - Lee, Rugolo, Hill

GOALS:
PA - Mardling, Clinch, Mercer 5; H Miller 4; Dolling, B Hughes, Sampson, Christmann 2; C Miller
WW - Lee, Gautesen 2; Fuller, Harris, Rugolo

SENIORS

The Eagles have managed a stunning come from behind victory to send Port Adelaides season into further disarray, crossing the line victors by just 2 points.

In what was a dour but at times spiteful contest for the first three quarters, the match came alive in the last quarter as the Eagles kicked 5 goals to 2 to snatch victory away from the hapless Magpies.

When Grocke goaled to put the Eagles in front midway through the last quarter, it was the first time they had lead since they kicked the first goal of the match. Lomas looked to have sealed the contest just before time on, before the Magpies gave one last gasp at getting over the line.

Batson goaled from a mark, but some poor disposal and decision making in the last 5 minutes robbed the Magpies of a genuine crack at winning back the match.

In a game that was marred by long stretches of consecutive stoppages and almost unforgiveably atrocious umpiring, the Magpies looked the better side for most of the first three quarters. However, their non existant forward line failed to win enough of the ball and the Eagles attacked from defence numerous times, before coming unstuck in their own forward line.

Best for the Eagles were Bernie Vince, Matthew Cooper and Zack Hier, whilst Craig Fitzgerald also won a lot of important football, whilst also kicking two goals.

For the Magpies, Corey AhChee played his best game for the year, whilst Brad Murray, Shayne Biacsi and Justin Perkins played well.

WW 1.3 / 2.4 / 3.9 / 8.11 59
PA 4.1 / 4.5 / 6.7 / 8.9 57

BEST:
WW - Vince, Fitzgerald, Hier, Cooper, Grocke, Redden
PA - AhChee, Biacsi, Murray, Perkins, Carr

GOALS:
WW - Fitzgerald 2; Cooper, Grocke, Vince, Lindsay, Salter, Lomas
PA - Batson 2; J Clayton, Perkins, Murray, LeCras, Hargraves, Hay

[Macca19]

Well im shattered. Dead set shattered.

Got a million things I could say but I couldnt be bothered.

[spell_check]

Really though, me saying this won't change it but it should really have been a win to Port - or a draw. Port and South appear to have great line ups but can't turn that into reality enough. Both sides were crap today - a standard I have not seen for a few years now.

[pipers]

Today's game was far from a spectacle. Unlike the draw with Glenelg though it wasn't a host of skill errors but more, as Macca suggests, poor decisions that cost Port a much needed win. Eagles weren't much better in that regard either, but their continued run prevailed in the end.

I'd love to know what Ginever's game plan is. I presume he has one. Clearly either it is rubbish, or the players just can't execute it.

Or perhaps both.

Anyay, Port should have killed of the Eagles in the second quarter when they had probably 75-80% of the play, but only recorded four behinds. Murray was excellent once more, Mark Clayton and Ah Chee were resilient for 3/4 of the game and Biacsi was again a great deliverer of the ball towards the Magpie forwards, but as a general rule they either were unable to grasp it, unable to kick straight if they did grasp it (Batson in particular), or were crucified by the maggots.

Maric/Miekeljohn again won most of the ruck, but to no avail.

Port are in big trouble...

Perhaps it's time to focus on youth. 2007 is shot.

[am Bays]

Watching the replay Tuesday young Biasci impressed - me not overly skilled but goes hard at it all day. Certainly can't fault his endeavour. I see you given him votes Macca, other Port supporters opinions please...

[pipers]

Biasci has been around for a while, but since 2006 and now again this year is making a real impact in carrying the ball from half-back and into the forward lines. His delivery is usually pretty tidy too.

However, he's a receiver, so he'll never win us a tight contest on his own.

[NFC]

Great stuff Macca, top review as always.

Couldn't believe how low scoring it was when I heard the scores.

[Mickyj]

Guys I think you are correct in your summary of today's game.BUT while Port lead at 1/4 time the EAGLES held Port for the rest of the game. Look at the score line Port kicked four goals to one in the first term .After 1/4 time Port four goals to the eagles 7 . At the end of the day the side that kicks the most goals wins . But as I said in another post number 29 for port kicking a point was the down fall for Port, upto that point (no pun intended)Port was a far better team.
Some Credit should be given to Grocke playing the best football in his career.Even the howls from the Port crowd about his hair didn't stop the way he was throwing himself at every ball. And players like Lomas need to be given some credit he ran his port opponent into the ground in the last quarter .
What more can I say it was an awful to watch game today .But the tempo footy at the end brought a big fat smile to my face and made the Port fans irrate and UGLY where I was sitting.

[Macca19]

Watching the replay Tuesday young Biasci impressed - me not overly skilled but goes hard at it all day. Certainly can't fault his endeavour. I see you given him votes Macca, other Port supporters opinions please...

Great player. Agree with Fatty that he lifted his game another level last year and has done so again this year. Really showing his pace. Does have good skills and can put his body on the line when he needs to.

One of our most important players.

[Aerie]

Watching the replay Tuesday young Biasci impressed - me not overly skilled but goes hard at it all day. Certainly can't fault his endeavour. I see you given him votes Macca, other Port supporters opinions please...

Great player. Agree with Fatty that he lifted his game another level last year and has done so again this year. Really showing his pace. Does have good skills and can put his body on the line when he needs to.

One of our most important players.

Yes, he was impressive and beat Jarrad in every one on one contest today. Perhaps foot skills let him down at times.

[eaglesfan]

Thank goodness we kicked straight for goal in the last quarter when it really counted. Up until then we were woeful in the forward lines, and Port ran the ball out of their backline with ridiculous ease. However our backline was pretty solid all day, and kept us within reach. We had a lot of run in the last quarter, which was great to see, while Port seemed to fade. Crucial goals to Lindsay, Grocke (another very competitive game) and Lomas in the last quarter. Great to have Cicca back and playing well.

What a huge difference to our season that two point victory should make!

[Mickyj]

Thank goodness we kicked straight for goal in the last quarter when it really counted. Up until then we were woeful in the forward lines, and Port ran the ball out of their backline with ridiculous ease. However our backline was pretty solid all day, and kept us within reach. We had a lot of run in the last quarter, which was great to see, while Port seemed to fade. Crucial goals to Lindsay, Grocke (another very competitive game) and Lomas in the last quarter. Great to have Cicca back and playing well.

What a huge difference to our season that two point victory should make!

You have got that right eaglesfan from 6th to 4th