Port Adelaide’s fitness too much for North Adelaide at Alberton Oval

PORT Adelaide’s supreme fitness and polish helped it to a scrappy 36-point win over North Adelaide at Alberton Oval today.

Todd Miles (North Adelaide) is tackled by Johann Wagner (Port Adelaide) during the second quarter. Port Adelaide v North Adelaide, at Alberton Oval. SANFL Football. 18/04/15. Picture: Stephen Laffer

PORT Adelaide’s supreme fitness and polish helped it to a scrappy 36-point win over North Adelaide at Alberton Oval today.

The Magpies struggled to shake the Roosters early and butchered multiple attacking forays, either because of poor goalkicking or wayward passes into their forward line.

But they outworked the visitors in the third term, kicking seven goals to four, and never looked back.

Paul Stewart (31 disposals, 13 marks), Andrew Moore (26 disposals, 10 clearances) and Sam Gray (25 disposals) all pushed their claims for an AFL berth.

Yet it was Karl Amon (19 disposals, two goals) who really caught the eye, thanks to his vision, composure and neat foot skills.

Magpies assistant Stuart Cochrane was pleased with the result but said his side would need to improve if it was to beat Norwood in this Friday night’s grand final rematch.

“It was a scrappy game but it was good to come away with some encouraging signs,” Cochrane said.

“We were proud to get through, win it reasonably easy and our fitness held up.

“But we know we’ve still got a lot of work to do.

“Norwood is the best team in the comp and we’ll get a real measure how we’ve improved over the pre-season.”

North was dealt a big blow in the opening term when spearhead Lewis Johnston hobbled off with an ankle injury.

Darren Shillabeer (three goals) was left to carry the load in attack and, though he continued an impressive start to his SANFL career, the Roosters battled to take marks inside 50.

Despite the game being relatively even in the first half, Port could have led by six or seven goals, given its dominance of inside 50s and disposals.

It led the inside 50 count 29-12 at half-time and had 47 more possessions yet only had a 13-point lead to show for it.

“The frustration was that we were getting the ball inside (50) … but were not efficient with our ball use,” Cochrane said.

“That’s a credit to North too — they put us under a lot of pressure and we weren’t able to get our free-flowing game going.”

Port turned the screws at the start of the third quarter, forcing the Roosters into turnovers with defensive pressure and showing the sort of running power for which its AFL side is renowned.

The Roosters kept battling in the final term, though was inaccurate when it had the chance to trim Port’s lead.

Roosters coach Ken McGregor said his side was outworked in the midfield, particularly in the third term.

McGregor said a handful of his side’s best 21 could come into the side to face South Adelaide from the reserves, including former Hawthorn rookie Derick Wanganeen, Nick Amato and captain Greg Gallman.

“They had control of the ball for the majority of the game and we couldn’t wrestle that back off them,” McGregor said.

“They (North) kept trying hard … and I think we’re definitely capable of competing against these sides, especially come finals time.

“We’re just not there yet.”

Jake Neade finished an encouraging first game since being dropped from the Power with three goals, including a classy snap late in the final term.

Ruckman Jarrad Redden (10 disposals) would also have gained confidence from his performance and moved much smoother than in his return to AFL level against Sydney last week.

SCORES

Port Adelaide 3.5 5.9 12.12 15.15 (105)

North Adelaide 3.0 4.2 8.12 10.9 (69)

BEST – Port: Stewart, Moore, Amon, Gray, Logan, O’Shea, Redden. North: Shannon, Shillabeer, McMahon, O’Keeffe.

GOALS – Port: Neade 3, Amon, Butcher, Summerton, Moore 2; Gray, Palmer, Redden, Stewart. North: Shillabeer 3, McMahon 2, Motlop, Ryswyk, Shannon, Spina, M. Thring.

INJURIES – Port: Nil North: Johnston (ankle), O’Keefe (shoulder, concussion)

At Alberton Oval