Port Adelaide straight into SANFL grand final after victory over Eagles
PORT Adelaide will contest its second SANFL grand final in the four years it has operated as the Power reserves after pushing aside the challenge of Woodville-West Torrens in the second semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
PORT Adelaide will contest its second SANFL grand final in the four years it has operated as the Power reserves after pushing aside the challenge of Woodville-West Torrens in the second semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Despite being without talented duo Matthew White and Nathan Krakouer after half-time due to injuries, Port had too much class and want for the minor premier.
Port, who lost the 2014 premiership decider to Norwood, made a statement on the contest from the outset to lead by 34 points after an emphatic first-quarter performance.
The reward for the victory is a rest next weekend while they wait for the Eagles and Sturt to decide their grand final opponent in the preliminary final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Port coach Chad Cornes did not hide his delight at the victory, quickly entering the ground to acknowledge the performance of his players with hugs and backslaps.
His opening words to the players before the game had been about the Power’s AFL elimination final loss on Saturday night and its impact on their thought process. The Power defeat forced changes to the state league side due to the rules on AFL-listed players and qualification.
“That was an impressive win in terms of the boys’ mindset after last night (Power loss),” Cornes said. “I can only speak for what I was feeling, it was obviously a devastating loss and the three changes we had to make after that. It took me a couple of hours this morning to get my head right, so I’m assuming a few of the boys were like that too.
“I got it out in the open first, first thing I spoke about, got to clear the air with it. We wanted to make the three guys who came in feel really welcome. It is a huge credit to those three, especially Emmanuel Irra and Cameron Hewett. They played probably their best games all year.
“For them to not know they were playing until 11 o’clock last night, and play the way they did, was outstanding.”
Port opened the game in blistering fashion, bagging its first goal after just 38 seconds when Krakouer snapped truly. Joe Atley goalled four minutes later and his effort was followed by goals to White and another for Krakouer.
Such was the dominance of Port, it had 35 points after 27 minutes while the Eagles had not scored. The Eagles did not register a point until Nick Hayes hit the post from a set shot after the siren.
Port’s pressure was outstanding and their ball movement had authority. The Eagles were constantly under the pump and they coughed up plenty of turnover ball.
After finding some composure in the second quarter, the Eagles ate into the deficit, only for Port to regain control.
“Our pressure on the ball and body, the boys created a lot of turnovers and it is an exciting brand of footy when you play like that,” Cornes said.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 5.5 7.6 8.11 10.13 (73)
EAGLES 0.1 3.2 3.6 5.10 (40)
BEST - Port: Lienert, Summerton, Toumpas, Ah Chee, Lobbe, Hewett, Irra. Eagles: Hall, Poole, Stewart, Thompson.
GOALS - Port: Eddy, Krakouer 2, R. Young, Atley, T. Gray, Johnson, Summerton, White. Eagles: Wundke 3, Haylock, Hall.
INJURIES - Port: White (ankle), Krakouer (hamstring).
UMPIRES - Bowen, Sboro, Hosking.
CROWD - 9029 at Adelaide Oval.