R19: Port v Centrals review

[Macca19]

RESERVES

Port Adelaide held off some early dominance by Central Districts to run away comfortable winners by 31 points in the first game yesterday.

Centrals will be rueing a missed oppurtunity to win this one after a wasteful opening term. They simply dominated possesion with a 2 goal breeze but could not put it on the scoreboard. They were winning the ball at the stoppages and Port Adelaide would have only gone forward a small handful of times in the opening quarter. Centrals 3.5 with a number of out on the fulls does not tell the story of their dominance in the opening quarter. They were only 15 points up at the first change.

After kicking the first goal of the 2nd quarter, the Magpies hit some form to kick 4 unanswered goals thanks to some great work by Joseph Hay, Tyson Wait and an unlikely ruckman in Dustin Pickett. They led by the single point at half time.

The third quarter was a see-sawing battle until late in the quarter when Roc Harry, after being reported for abusive language in the second quarter, Shane Caterall up forward and the returning Julian Wait started to get on top. They kicked the last three goals of the quarter to lead by 15 points at the last change.

The Magpies finished the match off as a contest by kicking the first 3 goals of the final quarter, before Chad Norsworthy kicked a final consolation goal before the siren.

Best for the winners was Tyson Wait, continuing his strong recent form this time in the middle of the ground. Roc Harry had a strong 2nd half whilst the ever impressive bloodnut Joel Montgomerie continued to rack up disposals through the middle. Julian Wait, playing his first match since Round 1 kicked 3 goals, as did young tall Shane Caterall

For Centrals, Alan Obst kicked 3 goals but could have had 6 if it wasnt for some poor kicking at goal. Louis Hadden was pacey around the middle all day, as was Kane Officer whilst Brayden O'Hara kicked two goals as well.

It was the Magpies first victory since Round 12 and lifts them off the bottom of the ladder and only 1 game out of a finals spot. It also moves Centrals to wooden spoon territory.

PA 1.2 / 6.3 / 11.5 / 14.12 96
CD 3.5 / 5.8 / 8.8 / 9.11 65

BEST:
PA: T Wait, Hay, Montgomerie, Caterall, J Wait, Harry
CD: Hadden, A Obst, O'Hara, Officer

GOALS:
PA: T Wait, Hay, Caterall 3; Dolling 2; Natt, Miller, Puckridge
CD: A Obst 3; O'Hara 2; Taylor, Hudson, Norsworthy, Brading

SENIORS

Port Adelaide has ended its losing streak, upsetting Central Districts by 24 points at Alberton yesterday.

In a match that was terribly over umpired, the Magpies led by as much as much as eight goals early in the third quarter before Centrals piled on seven unanswered goals across both the third and fourth quarter to see them within 1 straight kick halfway through the last quarter. The Magpies steadied to kick the last three goals of the match to give them the victory.

The Magpies started off the better side, kicking 3 straight goals early in the first quarter. Waterhouse kicked 2, and dangerously showed the ball off to his Central opponent whilst running into his 2nd goal. This seemed to spur the Dogs on as they kicked the next three goals of the quarter.

The 2nd term was all the Magpies as they kicked 6 of the 7 goals scored for the quarter. Hihgly underrated Luke Slattery was winning the ball with ease in the midfield whilst Shane Biacsi was running rings around his Centrals opponents. Clive Waterhouse was his enigmatic self up forward whilst Corey AhChee had kept Daniel Schell almost possesion less to half time.

The Magpies continued their dominance early in the third term, with Luke Slattery and Clive Waterhosue both kicking their third goals to stretch the lead to its highest eight goal margin. Then came the Centrals charge.

They kicked four straight goals to finish off the third term, thanks to some great work by McCabe, O Sullivan and Alex Stengle. They then kicked the opening three goals of the final quarter and the Magpies looked rattled.

The Magpies steadied and it was the unlikely Peter Mann who kicked the Magpies first goal in over 30 minutes of football. That was followed by sealers from Troy Butcher and Luke Slattery's fourth goal to win the match by 24 points.

The match was marred by a plethora of unexplainable umpiring decisions which regularly angered players and supporters alike. Every 3rd contest seemed to result in a free kick. The players were getting angry as they gave away what surely was the highest amount of 25 or 50 metre penalties in a match. The Gowans brothers must have had at least 6 between them. The crowd simply looked on in disbelief at some of the decisions made.

THe Magpies had a number of good players in the victory. Luke Slattery played clearly his best match of League football and wasnt given the respect he deserved from his Centrals opponents. He was allowed to run mostly free on a wing or half forward for most of the day. Shayne Biacsi did a lot of tough work and ran away from his opponents. Maric was strong in the ruck, whilst Corey AhChee completely blanketed Daniel Schell all day, keeping him goalless after his 11-goal bag last week. Adam Kingsley was excellent early and late whilst Tim Looby played his best game of league football in defence.

For Centrals it was harder to pick. Luke McCabe was great up forward with 4 goals. Chad O'Sullivan tried hard to win a lot of ball on a flank and kicked a couple of goals. Wilson showed toughness in defence, whilst Ware looked quick and dangerous all day.

The win keeps the Magpies in the top 5 for another week, whilst Centrals now fall to 4th spot on the ladder.

PA 3.6 / 9.16 / 11.19 / 14.22 (106)
CD 3.5 / 4.7 / 8.13 / 11.16 (82)

BEST:
PA: Slattery, Biacsi, AhChee, Kingsley, Maric, Looby, J Clayton
CD: McCabe, O'Sullivan, Ware, Wilson

GOALS:
PA: Slattery 4; Waterhouse 3; J Clayton, Poulton, Ilett, Kingsley, Butcher, Maric, Mann
CD: McCabe 4; O'Sullivan, Stengle, Mackenzie, J Gowans, Scoullar, Slade

[Dogwatcher]

Nice wrap up. Bad result.

[Magpiespower]

What happened in that second quarter?

Lots of goalkicking practice this week, boys!

[Macca19]

What happened in that second quarter?

Lots of goalkicking practice this week, boys!

One word...

Clive.

[StrayDog]

Well balanced and thorough write-up. Top marks.

[Gun AhChee]

Great write up mate!

GO MAGPIES!

[GWW]

Looby's best game for Port, hopefully he can continue on with that form, he may have left his run a bit late to get on Port's main AFL list though unfortunately.

Great to see Slattery continue with his great form, must surely be a "smokey" for the AFL draft.

[Macca19]

Looby's best game for Port, hopefully he can continue on with that form, he may have left his run a bit late to get on Port's main AFL list though unfortunately.

Great to see Slattery continue with his great form, must surely be a "smokey" for the AFL draft.

I think Looby definately deserves a second year on the rookie list. Hasnt put a foot wrong all year in my opinion.

Slattery...not sure about AFL quality. Loads of natural ability....he would have to be fully drafted. I think if he was 2 years younger a rookie spot would have been perfect for him.

[GWW]

Macca19, as someone who's seen a lot of Port's game this year, as you obviously have.....would you say Looby is better suited as a forward or a defender. I realise Reserves is a step down but i recall him getting some bags of goals on a few occasions, 5 a few weeks ago.

From what you saw yesterday, did he look like a "natural small defender" in the George Fiacchi, Michael Wilson, or maybe Abers style?

[Macca19]

Macca19, as someone who's seen a lot of Port's game this year, as you obviously have.....would you say Looby is better suited as a forward or a defender. I realise Reserves is a step down but i recall him getting some bags of goals on a few occasions, 5 a few weeks ago.

From what you saw yesterday, did he look like a "natural small defender" in the George Fiacchi, Michael Wilson, or maybe Abers style?

Id say he is definately more a defender that can also play up forward. He is 187cm which isnt that small really. I think hes more a Stephen Carter type. Loves a run, loves the rough stuff. Better skills though and is quite quick. He can hoof the ball a good 55-60 metres on the run. Aber is a decent comparison in terms of kicking ability, more tougher though.

I havent really come across anyone yet that doesnt suggest he has a decent future ahead of him. I think at worst he could be a regular SANFL player for however many years.