by Booney » Mon Mar 22, 2021 10:58 am
North Melbourne jumped out of the blocks and had Port Adelaide on the back foot in the opening quarter but after the slow start the superior skills and ball movement of Port Adelaide ran over the Kangaroos to win by 52 points, 117 to 65.
Early on it wasn’t going to plan though, Davies-Uniacke led the way in contested ball as North made Port’s inside mids look like they were still napping from the night before. Along with ex-Collingwood runner Stephenson the Kangas bounced to an early lead as Port struggled to get the ball forward and then when they did, as is our trade mark, couldn’t keep it there. Other than goals on the turnover to Amon and Boak the first 30 minutes really did belong to North. Goldstein, as he often does, got on top of Port’s ruck duo and gave the Kangas the first sniff and the likes of LDU, Simpkin and Goldy himself took the contested ball points. If not for the lack of poise going forward North would, should, have been further in front but bombing it long into Port’s defence when you don’t have a true key forward target isn’t going to work for you.
Hinkley rolled out the baking paper at quarter time and the likes of Wines, Drew and Lycett would have known it was aimed at them. Bar Travis Boak, Aliir Aliir in the back half and Gray Port wouldn’t have had too many players happy with their opening half hour. Didn’t that change. In the middle Lycett got his body into Goldy, Drew, Wines and Amon started to help Boak and up front Butters gave the forward line the spark it needed as Dixon (2), Marshall (2) and Fantasia (3) piled on the majors to break the game open and effectively this one was over at half time. From 2 points down to 40 in front at half time Port had the game in their hands.
Defensively Clurey and Jonas began to set up behind the ball better allowing Aliir to come in and effect the contest, it’s clear his inclusion is the one Port needed most in defence, not so much his size but his aerial ability as Jones, Clurey and McKenzie did the job last year but none of them are as comfortable flying for marks as Aliir is, they all body and position well at ground level but Aliir’s addition has been evident. Bergman on debut found himself in the right spot on several occasions, understandable in your debut to rush a little and his disposal was a reflection of this, he’ll be much better for the run. Burton and Houston made the most of every touch and Port now had their game going.
Forward of the ball Motlop got on his bike and played the high half forward role nicely, Butters was his usual self, applying pressure on the ground and in the air. He’s an absolute star. Dixon, Marshall and Ladhams all looked dangerous in the air and all had their chances to score from set shots. A good sign indeed.
Midfielder Willem Drew laid 11 tackles and had 6 clearances to go with 17 touches and 2 I50’s. His most complete game at AFL level and he looks to have over taken sub Rockliff and with Wines they look like a good combination on the inside with Boak, Amon, Butters, the returning Rozee and Gray from time to time coming into the mix.
Easily best on ground was Boak, 27 touches, 7 clearances, 2 goals, 4 tackles, 6 I50’s, 12 score involvements, 3 Brownlow votes. Fantasia was lapping it up in the forward 50, 4 goals in his first game for Port Adelaide and he’ll be thinking the move was a good one, even at this very early stage. Aliir was far from perfect but stood up under pressure in the first quarter then things got a little easier for the back half. Drew and Wines the best in the middle, Houston and Burton the best in defence (behind Aliir), Amon, Motlop, Byrne-Jones and Ladhams all deserve mentions and Ladhams as I felt he got the midfield going in the second term when Goldstein and Lycett left the ground taking Larkey to the cleaners.
Boons best : Boak, Fantasia, Drew, Wines, Amon, Aliir
With Bonner likely sidelined with a hamstring I can see Rozee coming straight back in, Hartlett might need a run Friday night against the Crows at Alberton.
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!