Port Adelaide safe at top of the ladder after 20-point win over Sturt

PORT Adelaide regained its two-game cushion at the head of the SANFL premiership ladder after overcoming a gritty Sturt by 20 points at Unley on Saturday.

28/06/14 - SANFL: Sturt v Port Adelaide at Unley.Port's Jake Neade grabs the ball ahead of Sturt opponent and heads for goal. Picture Dean Martin

PORT Adelaide regained its two-game cushion at the head of the SANFL premiership ladder after overcoming a gritty Sturt by 20 points at Unley on Saturday.

The Power reserves team had to withstand a desperate challenge from the home side in the final quarter and its superior ability to take its chances proved decisive.

The Double Blues spent much of the final term pushing deep into attack but their failure to ram home the territorial advantage proved costly.

Both teams have a bye next weekend while the split round is completed.

“I watched Norwood two weeks ago beat Sturt here and took a lot out of that game,” Magpies coach Garry Hocking said.

“Our third quarter dominance at the centre square and some of our stoppage goals broke it open for us.

“But that is why Sturt sits second — they are a quality team. If you said to me at the start of the season we would be 10-2 (win-loss) I'd take that.

“The boys have worked really hard and today was about getting back to playing the style of footy we needed to.”

The windy, wet conditions made life tricky for the players but both sides showed a willingness to get their hands dirty.

The Double Blues were not prepared to be intimidated by the competition pacesetters and they got in the face of the opposition to prevent creative, free-flowing action from the Magpies.

Aaron Young was outstanding on the ball for the Magpies and he had a huge influence when the visitors did finally escape from the Double Blues late in the third term.

The Magpies were able to secure clean possession from the stoppages to go on the attack, using the ball far more effectively to bag four unanswered goals to charge to a 17-point advantage.
It must be said, however, that the kicking of John Butcher continues to be a massive headache for Port Adelaide.

Zane Kirkwood has thrived at Unley since moving from the Magpies this season and his influence, along with Richard Tambling, was significant in the Double Blues dominating the final quarter, only to squander its chances.

“I'm not disappointed with our effort,” Double Blues coach Seamus Maloney said.

“For a lot of the game we had it on reasonable terms and went inside (attacking) 50 more which is a positive against a very good side.

“We fought it out and are in there swinging. That gives us confidence we are on the right track.”