I love how you blokes scream for the review when Port get done but STFU when it's a winning one.... 
If Ken Hinkley’s mantra “You get what you deserve” is true then you can’t question the man’s endeavour, nor can you question the players commitment to him after a thrilling 2 point victory over the Port Adelaide owned Swans on Saturday night, 9.12 66 to 9.10 64.
In a week where the word untenable was used more than any other in the history of the world Port Adelaide went to Sydney as rank under dogs, the betting at the bounce was Sydney $1.16 to Port’s $3.35. There seemed to be no reason Port should or could win after the week they had.
From the first bounce though there was something different on offer from Port.
Most noticeable was Hinkley coaching from the bench, never before do I recall him doing so. Less noticeable but becoming more apparent as the night grew on was the defensive shift, Port had gone full flood mode, instead of pushing the defence up the ground they were sitting back deeper, this allowed Sydney to penetrate through the midfield with ease, but hit congestion when they entered their forward 50. 67 entries for 19 scoring shots.
In the first term Marshall, Finlayson, McEntee and Horne-Francis all missed very gettable shots on goal and it felt like opportunity missed. Sydney had 3 on the board, Warner (brilliant all night) got away, McDonald and Ladhams getting the scoreboard ticking over. Early though Lycett (6 touches, 3 clearances), Rozee, Butters (back to his manic best on and off the ball) and surprise packet Williams (keeping Heeney quiet) were making the most of their chances. Duursma was exceptional early, two marks deep in defence would not go unnoticed in the match review.
The second term was Ports, Mead kicked the first goal for Port but it wasn’t until Powell-Pepper snapped one did we have a major, Finlayson had his first, Butters had one fed to him from Dixon in a ruck contest and Horne-Francis led up from the resting full forward spot and put Port in front after we had trailed by as much as 23 points. All square at half time and the game was ugly.
Early in the third Finlayson had his second but that’s where it ended for Port for the term, Sydney had the next 3 after Port had held them goalless for 45 minutes and the back half of Aliir, owning Franklin, McKenzie (so important to Port) and Williams were on top but the weight of forward 50 entries was starting to tell. 3 goals 4 from 19 entries and the midfield of Warner, Florent and Parker were looking dangerous and Papley had become a nuisance.
In the last term Williams was moved to Papley and Heeney had been joined by Tom Jonas who isn’t having the best of years, Heeney soon out marked Jonas and goaled (Jonas had a crack in the first term like any proud leader would) and then things got really interesting. Marshall and Rozee benefitted from 50/50 calls to goal, McEntee was on the end of some desperate work my Marshall to sub Byrne-Jones and Port were back in front.
An error from Dixon returning the ball to Blakey resulted in a 50m penalty and goal which looked like the final act of the night. Not so. Dixon immediately made amends, he took the ball from the centre bounce, brushed off two Sydney minions and pumped the ball inside 50 where Duursma found Finlayson for his third and Port have the game…..but, some sloppy defence and the midfield once again opened up by Rampe and Heeney lands the ball in the hands of Florent 40m with the siren soon to ring out.
Hilariously the shot falls short and after Franklin steamrolled Bergman to open the path for Aliir to spoil the ball on the goal line and seal victory for Port Adelaide.
Apologies to anyone within 5km’s of my place, you may have learnt some new words late and the dog probably reacted like thunder was above the house.
Boon’s best – Aliir, Butters, Finlayson, Duursma, McKenzie, Williams
Honroable mentions to Dixon, Rozee and Wines late.
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!
