Charlie Dixon, Steven Motlop press for AFL recalls as Magpies outclass Panthers
Charlie Dixon and Steven Motlop pressed for AFL recalls as the Magpies outclassed the Panthers at Noarlunga on Sunday.
Charlie Dixon and Steven Motlop pressed their claims for AFL recalls as Port Adelaide left South Adelaide’s finals hopes in tatters at Noarlunga on Sunday.
Key forward Dixon — sensationally dropped for the round 19 AFL clash against Greater Western Sydney — overcame a slow start to kick three goals, work hard and look threatening every time the ball went inside the Magpies’ 50m forward arc.
And forward-midfielder Motlop showcased his undoubted class with four goals and several moments of magic which would have pleased the Power coaching staff as it tries to beef up an underperforming attack.
The key Power-listed pair put the Panthers to the sword early in the third term of the crucial clash, which has left Jarrad Wright’s side with a mountain to climb to make the finals.
They sparked an eight-goal to one third quarter blitz with the wind that turned a seven-point half-time lead into a matchwinning 50-point advantage by the final change.
South kicked the last four goals of the game to reduce the final margin to 28 points but the damage had been well and truly done.
“I was really impressed with our guys and our ball movement, especially in the second and third quarters,’’ said Magpies coach Matthew Lokan.
“Charlie and Steven are good players and, along with Todd Marshall and Pete Ladhams, were able to be a real focal point for us up forward.
“They were good and their goals were the difference in the game for us.’’
Port’s convincing win all but cemented a finals spot and kept it in touch with the top three — and the all-important double chance — while South is in free-fall, having loss four consecutive games.
One of the early-season pacesetters is now two wins outside of the top five with just three minor round series left.
“We were good for three quarters but Port got on top of us in that third quarter, through their strong forwards, so it’s going to be tough for us to make the finals from here,’’ said Wright.
“We’ve lost four in a row and we want to finish the year off strongly and win the next three to give ourselves an opportunity, mathematically, but realistically it’s probably not going to happen, so we will look to give some younger guys a look for next season.’’
Port’s win was its sixth from its past seven matches and a strong response to having a five-game winning streak broken by top-of-the-table Glenelg at Alberton last week.
Playing without leading goalkickers Billy Frampton (23) and Tobin Cox (20) because of suspension and injury respectively, the Magpies mastered the game through a winning on-ball brigade and a damaging forward line while its ruck combination of Ladhams and Sam Hayes was dominant.
Ladhams had 21 disposals and kicked three goals while Hayes had 20 and booted one major.
Early Magarey Medal favourite Jack Trengove, who returned to the side last week after being sidelined for six weeks with a leg infection, returned to form with 25 disposals and two goals, fellow midfielder Joe Atley won a game-high 11 clearances among his 27 touches and Trent McKenzie rebounded well from defence.
South co-captain Matt Rose, in his 150th match, was terrific against his former team with 30 disposals, utility Abe Davis had 19 disposals and kicked three final quarter goals while Joel Cross (24), clever forward Malcolm Karpany (22 and a goal) and defender Joe Haines worked hard for the Panthers.
SCOREBOARD
PORT 2.2 6.5 14.7 15.9 (99)
SOUTH 2.2 5.4 6.5 10.11 (71)
BEST — Port: Ladhams, Trengove, Atley, Hayes, Motlop, Drew, McKenzie. South: Rose, Davis, Cross, Karpany, Haines.
GOALS — Port: Motlop 4, Dixon, Ladhams 3, Marshall, Trengove 2, Hayes. South: Davis 3, Overall, Heaslip, Karpany, Whittlesea, Milsom, Cross, Biemans.
UMPIRES — M. Harris, C. Bowen, M. Sboro.
CROWD — 1641 at Noarlunga Oval.