SANFL Round 10: Port Adelaide break five-game losing streak over disappointing Dogs

PORT ADELAIDE has tasted victory for the first time in two months, holding Central District in a dour affair and prevail by 18 points.

Port's Aidyn Johnson tries to escape from Central's Marcus Barreau at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday. AAP Image/MATT LOXTON

PORT ADELAIDE has tasted victory for the first time in two months, holding Central District at bay after quarter time in a dour affair in Elizabeth.

In gloomy conditions at the Ponderosa, the Magpies overcame a sluggish start to eventually down the Dogs by 18 points, restricting the home side to only five goals after quarter time.

Coach Matthew Lokan said his charges were ecstatic to register their first win since April 6, sparked by a momentum-shifting second term.

“The boys are over the moon,” he said.

“They (Centrals) are hard to beat at home. It keeps us in touch of the five. We were smashed by contested ball in the first quarter.”

Coming off their worst loss in 26 years last week — a 96 point shellacking against Norwood — the Dogs enjoyed a dream start with two goals inside the first five minutes.

Both came through Justin Hoskin who marked strongly to convert, then roved a pack to jag his second.

Port Adelaide had their chances, but were either wasteful or rushed by Central’s tight defensive pressure.

A solitary goal from Lindsay Thomas was the only major for Port, as the Dogs looked far more organised up forward.

When Josh Richardson goaled from a free kick, and John Butcher was allowed far too much space to snap truly, the home side had a handy 19 point buffer at quarter time.

Port bounced back hard in the second with Todd Marshall goaling inside the opening minute with a clever snap.

The Magpies’ dominance was underlined by a pair of classy majors to Dom Barry, goaling on the run from the paint of 50, then a snap four minutes later.

Port was suddenly back in the contest as the Dogs dropped routine marks.

It took until the 22nd minute for the home side to score — Hoskins’ third — as Centrals rarely ventured inside 50.

Port appeared unstoppable in a six goal third term, with majors through Ladhams — a terrific kick on a tight angle — Aidyn Johnson, Jake Patmore, Thomas and Kane Farrell bobbing up for a pair.

Goals to Marcus Barreau, Fraser Fort and Butcher cut the lead to 11 points, but the Dogs would draw no closer as Levi Proude kicked the sealer in the 16th minute.

Dogs coach Roy Laird praised his side’s endeavour but said it “burned” four crucial forward entries in the last term.