by Booney » Mon May 10, 2021 11:35 am
Not everything goes to script in the AFL as sides often buck the underdog tag and upset more fancied opponents but that never looked likely on Saturday night as Port Adelaide handed Adelaide another defeat, by 49 points. If you add in the last Showdown of 2019, the 2020 Showdown in front of 2,200 people and the two pre-season fixtures Port have beaten Adelaide by a combined 304 points in the last 5 match ups. They’re the pride?
Port took the lead early as Charlie Dixon made the most of Adelaide’s undersized defence to mark and kick truly, at the other end James Rowe responded for Adelaide and it looked like the small forward was in the game. ( I chuckled writing that ). Adelaide coach Mathew Nicks said the Crows coaching group had to hold Rowe back at the captains run so eager was he to play in a Showdown. I’m glad they did, he might have scored again if they’d let him off the leash. Dixon goaled again just before the first break and Port had just a 10 point lead at ¼ time but the ascendancy was well and truly with the Power. Can’t say I’m anything but disappointed with Lycett’s effort on McHenry early, big bloke wraps up little bloke and buries him. Not a good look, not what we want in the game and Lycett will cop his lot, I reckon he’s looking at 3, minimum.
Things remained the same during the second quarter and the slippery conditions, although there was no rain about, held the contest back as it was scrappy and difficult to move the ball with any real efficiency. Port aren’t at the top of our game and Adelaide did their best to get in our way dragging the spectacle down. Marshall and Drew goaled in the second term as Adelaide failed to register a major and the contest was effectively over at half time. The winter of Walker has dried up, Tom Clurey gave Walker nothing and not helped by his midfield bombing it in on his head the likes of Clurey, Aliir, Burton and Byrne-Jones cleaned up around Port’s back half. The rest of Adelaide’s forward group are challenged to play at the this level, their midfield makes it near impossible for them to get any better. Keays, tries his heart out, but like a puppy chasing his own tail he’s got no idea what to do with it when he gets it.
The third quarter raised the bar somewhat, Adelaide kicked three as Fogarty miraculously found himself with the ball and goaled, wouldn’t have believe it if I hadn’t seen it for myself and the very promising Thilthorpe kicked 2 and Adelaide had their best run of holding some territory, nonetheless Port kicked 5 majors in response, Marshall kicked 2 goals either side of Mitch Georgiades kicking 2 in 4 minutes and when Kane Farrell converted from a tight angle any good work Adelaide had done was countered, and some, by the Alberton Crowd. I’m a big wrap for Farrell, after three good weeks in the SANFL he had 19 touches, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances and a goal, might just be the first step in him coming of age.
The last term was fairly dull to be blunt, the beers were still $10.50 and the crowd was subdued given the result was established early and most people were ready to enjoy the post match celebrations before Sloane, Fantasia, Rozee and Motlop bagged majors to end the night with Port outscoring the #pride in all four quarters on our way to a 12.15 to 5.8 win. I don’t care if they’re in a rebuild, it’s their own fault after all, there’s no sympathy from this bloke and there’s nothing better than keeping the foot on the throat of the arch enemy. The club rounded out the night with the players changing into the prison bars to sing the song and get some celebratory pictures with the Variety Shield. I loved it. Most Port fans did and that’s who it was for, for the people who love this club and as they say, winners are grinners and losers can please themselves. Insert grin here.
Boon’s best – Boak, Clurey, Lycett, Amon, Farrell
Changes – With Lycett set for a stint on the sidelines it will be interesting to see if they go for the more experienced Ladhams or in form and yet to debut Hayes. My gut feel is form will be rewarded and Hayes will get his first crack at the big time against the Dogs on Saturday night. Houston again copped a stinger to the shoulder and with Bonner waiting in the wings, literally, I expect Houston will miss this one.
PAFC. Forever.
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