Port Adelaide books spot in SANFL grand final after pulsating upset win against Glenelg
Port Adelaide will get a chance to play off for its first premiership since 1999 after upsetting minor premier Glenelg in a second semi-final thriller at Adelaide Oval and extend the Tigers’ winless record in finals to 3997 days.
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Port Adelaide is on the verge of winning its first SANFL flag in 20 years after upsetting minor premier Glenelg in a thrilling second semi-final on Sunday to march straight into this year’s big dance.
The Magpies, who are chasing their first premiership since 1999 — the longest drought in club history — will contest their third grand final in the past six years after outslogging the Tigers by four points in wet and windy conditions at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Port, which led for much of the contest, held off a withering burst from Glenelg in a pulsating final quarter to win by less than a kick.
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The Tigers fought back from 16 points behind at three-quarter time to snatch a two-point lead midway through the term following a long Luke Partington goal.
But — in an ironic twist — former Glenelg player Tobin Cox kicked the sealing goal for the Magpies from 40m after a strong mark under intense pressure.
With rebounding defenders Jarrod Lienert and Trent McKenzie starring and captain Cam Sutcliffe playing a strong midfield tagging role on Magarey Medal favourite Partington — he laid 14 tackles — Port proved a touch too good under pressure.
The Magpies, who lost the 2017 grand final to Sturt by one point and the 2014 decider to Norwood, are now the new premiership favourite.
They will play either the Tigers or the Crows in the grand final after Adelaide upset the Redlegs in the first semi-final.
Glenelg’s tough loss has meant it has now gone 3997 days since winning a final.
Chasing its first premiership since 1986, the Bays last finals win was against Sturt in the 2008 preliminary final.
This year’s minor premier — playing in its first finals series since 2011 — was gallant in defeat but paid a heavy price for making too many errors, particularly in its forward 50.
In a tough, physical contest reminiscent of so many clashes between the teams, the Bays were given great service from former Sydney and Collingwood big man Jesse White in the ruck while Partington — well held in the second and third terms — had a big final quarter.
Fellow midfielder Matt Snook was solid, Marlon Motlop was handy with two goals and 20 disposals and defenders Max Proud and Chris Curran were typically strong in the back half.
Ken Farmer Medallist Liam McBean kicked three goals.
Motlop goes to town in the @GlenelgFC forward line #SANFL pic.twitter.com/TlcMTYzdEh
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) September 8, 2019
In the first finals meeting between the teams since the 1993 qualifying final, where the Magpies beat a Mark Williams-coached Glenelg by 34 points, Port was well served by McKenzie (28 disposals) and Lienert (25) while midfielders Willem Drew and Joe Atley were powerful in the midfield and livewire forward Aidyn Johnson kicked three goals.
Port — coming off a convincing five-goal qualifying final win against the Crows — settled the better of the two teams.
With Lienert mopping up everything that came his way in defence, the Magpies kicked the opening two goals in the first five minutes as key forwards Todd Marshall and Billy Frampton flexed their muscle.
First round AFL draft pick Marshall marked strongly in the goalsquare before Frampton took advantage of a mistake from opponent Matt Uebergang to showcase his elite kicking skills from the forward pocket.
The Bays were being cut up in the centre square and took nine minutes to register their first score when midfielder Snook moved forward and goaled from a free kick.
@PAFC regain the lead, what a team Marshall and Frampton are! @GlenelgFC #SANFL pic.twitter.com/ktGeDZ3IvN
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) September 8, 2019
Glenelg grabbed its first lead when McBean marked and kicked truly from 40m but a bad Motlop missed set shot opened the door for Port to quickly rebound and goal through Kane Farrell.
The Magpies had controlled play with 15 inside 50s to Glenelg’s seven to lead by five points at the first change.
With White getting on top in the ruck and McBean proving dangerous inside 50, the Tigers began to get on top and opened up a seven-point lead early in the second term.
But then Johnson — opposed to Glenelg captain Curran — cut loose.
He twice used his blistering pace and footy-smarts to break away from the reliable defender and goal as Port regained the initiative to take an eight-point advantage into the long break.
Highlighting just how effective they had been at blanketing the Tigers’ forward forays, Lienert (15) and McKenzie (11) were the Magpies leading disposal winners while hauling in a handful of intercept marks.
Glenelg again paid the price for missed opportunities early in the third quarter with a Luke Reynolds miss from the goalsquare being punished at the other end by Drew as the Magpies opened up a 13-point break.
The Tigers kept coming but couldn't’ land the decisive blow.
SCOREBOARD
PORT 3.2 6.5 9.8 11.10 (76)
GLENELG 2.3 5.3 7.4 11.6 (72)
BEST — Port: McKenzie, Lienert, Drew, Sutcliffe, Garner, Atley, Johnson, Ladhams. Glenelg: White, Snook, Partington, McBean, Proud, Curran, Motlop.
GOALS — Port: Johnson 3, Marshall 2, Sutcliffe, Farrell, Mayes, Frampton, Cox, Drew. Glenelg: McBean 3, Motlop 2, Bailey, Snook, Partington, Reynolds, Close, Scott.
INJURIES — Port: Mayes (concussion). Glenelg: McBean (hamstring)
UMPIRES — J. Broadbent, M. Schramm, R. Hundertmark.
CROWD — 11,406 at Adelaide Oval (combined for both finals).