Port Adelaide’s emphatic win over South Adelaide at Noarlunga

A MANIC Port Adelaide reproduced the intensity and pressure which made it unbeatable early last season to open its SANFL season with an emphatic win over South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Friday night.

A MANIC Port Adelaide reproduced the intensity and pressure which made it unbeatable early last season to open its SANFL season with an emphatic win over South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Friday night.

Port’s 66-point demolition of last year’s preliminary finalist was more than a win — it was a statement that while its AFL list is healthy it will be an SANFL pacesetter.

A dominant midfield packed with class players like Andrew Moore, Kane Mitchell and Aaron Young were the architects of last night’s win but there were other positives.

Nathan Krakouer — who just 14 months ago wandered back into Alberton about 20kg overweight — is now a serious of chance of making a remarkable return to AFL this season.

The 26-year-old — who walked out on the Power to join the Gold Coast five years ago — had 23 disposals and two goals last night and showed he has benefited from another AFL pre-season. He is eligible for elevation to the senior list.

Sam Colquhoun made a brilliant return from a knee reconstruction, gathering a game high 25 disposals, while John Butcher (four goals) continued his strong season.

Johann Wagner — who won his way onto Port’s list via reality television show The Recruit — also impressed in his first SANFL game for Port, kicking two goals and exciting with his pace.

Port’s forward press was best illustrated by South’s remarkably low 23 inside-50s

There were early signs they would dominate the Panthers and by midway through the second term the dam walls began breaking, as South began making errors under intense pressure.

Sam Gray kicked a clever early goal to open the contest when he sharked the ball off the pack but Brent Macleod quickly answered.

The Magpies kicked a pair of late first term goals but really began asserting their authority midway through the second term.

PORT 4.1 8.4 13.7 16.11 (107)

SOUTH 2.2 3.2 4.4 6.5 (41)

BEST: Port: Moore, Colqhoun, AhChee, Krakouer, Logan, Young. South: Cross, Crabb, Macleod, Rose.

GOALS: Port: Butcher 4, Ah Chee, Krakouer, Wagner, Logan 2, Gray, Summerton, Young, Harvey. South: Eddy 2, Macleod, Irra, Heaslip, Seccull

UMPIRES: Deboy, Hundertmark, Sobieraj.

CROWD: 1683.