by Booney » Mon Jun 27, 2022 11:42 am
It may have been in the grave yard timeslot but this contest was alive and well until the last 15 seconds with Port Adelaide holding out the determined Suns in a thriller by 2 points, 13.15 93 to 13.13 91.
Port fans had grown accustomed to slow starts early this year but in recent weeks that has changed, not sure what has changed pregame but it’s working. When Xavier Duursma fired off an arrow just 2 minutes into the contest Port had the first major on the board, by the 10 minute mark Farrell and Georgiades had added majors and the home side had the first 3 and all the ascendency. Suns big men Chol, looking dangerous early, and Casboult both registered majors around goals from Marshall and Jones. The 5 goal to 2 term wasn’t however as lopsided as it appeared. Ports efficiency ( 73% kicking efficiency ) highlighted by two coast to coast goals being the real difference, Port were creating space from turnovers and using the ball well.
There was a clear momentum swing in the second term as Suns big man Jarrod Witts got hold of the ruck contests with make shift ruckman Jeremy Finlayson committed but under sized the likes of Ainsworth, Miller and the electrifying Rankine went to work. Chol added his second to go with 5 first half marks, Rankine collected and snapped with precision before the right goal post at the Northern end lit up twice on snicko to cost the Suns two majors, at this point they are right on top. 3 goals to 1 for the term, 13-8 in clearances for the term but it was the next touch outside the contest that led them into space and ultimately their forward 50. Game is on.
Much like the second half against the Swans the term started with Charlie Dixon kicking a goal in the first 30 seconds, a magnificent shot on the run on his left foot to register his 300th career goal against the side who gave him his start at AFL level. He’d had a solid night in the air, 4 contested marks and took on Witts for most of the third quarter and held his own. The third term was some of the best football we’ve seen at Adelaide Oval this year. 6 goals to Port, 5 to the Suns and the likes of Rozee with 2 in 2 minutes at one end and Rankine with a sublime snap at the other lit the Oval up. Tireless worker Brandon Ellis twice lost Duursma in traffic to kick 2 for the term and it’s fair to say the Suns went into the last term with some momentum and more than a chance. A late major for Marshall, his third, gave Port a 13 point lead but it didn’t feel like it was enough. One move in the third term proved to be crucial, Port skipper Tom Jonas went to Chol and kept him touchless while taking 2 marks and having 3 touches at 100% in the term.
Rankine soon added his third and a seesawing final term was under way. The two I’ve just mentioned, Jonas and Rankine showed immense courage to fly for a ball in the Suns forward 50 and both soon left the field for some treatment after a massive collision. Some pressure in Port’s forward 50 resulted in Marshalls 4th goal and as both sides noticed the loss of Rankine and Jonas, Chol capitalized with the captains absence on the under sized Burton for his third major and only touch in the second half. Port were now in keep safe mode and the uncontested mark numbers grew ( Port 82-45 on the day ) but the Suns weren’t done. A scramble at Ports end and the quiet Boak had a chance to seal the game but missed before Swallow tackled his way to a handball onto Holman and as he kicked truly the margin was back to 2 points with 3 minutes on the clock. Some frenetic and desperate play followed. The ball bounced from end to end with neither side able to get clear possession under manic pressure. Powell-Peppers desperate lunge to tackle Miller looked to have locked the game away from Port but some excellent work from Collins in the Suns D50 sent the ball back their way for one last chance, a goal line scramble ensued and when the ball spilled out of play with 15 seconds to go next to the Suns point post it was one last chance. Port holding on in a thriller that neither side deserved to lose.
Boon’s best – Rozee, Wines, Jonas, Marshall, Houston, Farrell, Burton
*EDIT* Honourable mention to Amon for a quadruple double, 16 kicks, 10 handballs, 10 marks, 10 tackles.
PAFC. Forever.
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