Glenelg downs Port Adelaide by 49 points to move one win clear at the top of the SANFL ladder
Glenelg has flexed its muscle at the top of the SANFL ladder, downing Port Adelaide by 49 points in a ruthless home display to further enhance its premiership credentials.
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Glenelg has flexed its muscle at the top of the SANFL ladder, downing Port Adelaide in a ruthless display to further enhance its premiership credentials.
A seven-goal-to-none third quarter by the Tigers paved the way for the commanding 49-point success in wet and blustery conditions at Glenelg Oval on Sunday.
The 15.17 (107) to 8.10 (58) victory took the hosts one win clear at the summit in the sole split-round eight fixture.
It also raised hopes among the Bays faithful of a first flag since 1986.
Forward Liam McBean booted four goals for the hosts in a dominant marking and kicking display.
Luke Partington (34 disposals) was another to catch the eye, as only early inaccuracy prevented the rampant Glenelg from racking up an even more handsome triumph.
But Tigers coach Mark Stone was just as impressed by his team’s hunger without the ball.
“I just liked the way we went around them when we had to, we went through them when we had to and then when we went in deep, we went to the right spot,” Stone said.
“The third quarter was really good offensively.
“But we had to defend pretty hard in the second quarter and I thought that was probably our best quarter.
“I’m really pleased with the way the boys stuck to the plan and really applied great pressure to them all day.
“They’re acts of people that are desperate to be a hard, tough team to play against and want to play good footy and want to win.“
Glenelg led by 14 at quarter-time after dominating inside 50s 22-10 in the opening term.
But it should have had held a more comfortable lead after booting 11 behinds in the first period.
Teenager Boyd Woodcock kicked truly from 50m to get the Magpies off to a strong start.
But back-to-back goals by McBean, the second of which came after a brilliant one-handed grab, edged the Tigers in front despite their struggles in front of the sticks.
The Bays were better in second term as they pushed their advantage out to 28 at the main break.
Again Port began the quarter on the front foot thanks to a classy long-range effort by Todd Marshall.
But composed kicks by Lachlan Hosie and Partington put the host back on top.
Mitchell Mead kept the Magpies in the hunt, before McBean took a towering mark in the goal square to convert and Hosie was on target again from a tricky angle.
Glenelg ended the match as a contest in a one-sided third period.
Luke Reynolds goaled twice, either side of a Cory Gregson major following a slick team move, as the Bays added three in seven minutes.
Captain Chris Curran got on the scoreboard in his 100th game, before Jonty Scharenberg notched his first and McBean grabbed his fourth with a clever spin and finish.
Even with a 10-major buffer, the Tigers were dogged in defence, throwing bodies on the line to keep Port goalless for the term.
Darcy Bailey rubbed salt into Magpies wounds with a calm kick after the three-quarter time siren.
Aidyn Johnson (two), Tobin Cox, Dallas Hill and Hamish Hartlett reduced Port’s losing margin with fourth-quarter goals.
But Finn Betterman slotted in his maiden league major for the Tigers and Marlon Motlop put the icing on the cake.
Port coach Matthew Lokan said his side was soundly beaten in all departments, as it remained just outside the top five with a 4-4 record.
“They were cleaner than us, they used the ball really well and I thought we just weren’t able to match it,” Lokan said.
“We turned the ball over at crucial times and we just weren’t able to bring the ball to ground.
“
We’ve been basing our game over the whole start of the season to be more consistent and to have a real fade out like that in the third quarter was disappointing.
“We still use it as a good educational tool.
“There’s plenty of areas we need to work on after a day like today.”
SCOREBOARD
GLENELG 2.11 6.15 13.17 15.17 (107)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 3.5 3.6 8.10 (58)
BEST — Glenelg: Partington, McBean, Proud, Curran, Scharenberg, Gould, Motlop. Port: Drew, Atley, Mayes, Pudney.
GOALS — Glenelg: McBean 4, Hosie 2, Reynolds 2, Partington, Gregson, Curran, Scharenberg, Bailey, Betterman, Motlop. Port: Johnson 2, Woodcock, Marshall, Mead, Hill, Hartlett, Cox.
UMPIRES — Hundertmark, Burke, Sobieraj.
CROWD — 4329 at Glenelg Oval
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