West Adelaide causes upset against Port Adelaide

SPIRITED West Adelaide caused the upset of the season at Richmond on Sunday and proved that Port Adelaide is beatable — at least when its AFL-listed contingent slips below a critical threshold.

SPIRITED West Adelaide caused the upset of the season at Richmond on Sunday and proved that Port Adelaide is beatable — at least when its AFL-listed contingent slips below a critical threshold.

The Bloods shocked the depleted Magpies with eight unanswered goals during a second and third quarter spree to win by 17 points and snap Port’s nine-match winning streak.

The win came despite West losing Michael Still to a hamstring injury in the first term and Adam Hartlett to a rib issue in the third quarter, as a Port side with only 12 AFL-listed played struggled to bring its usual intensity.

Late withdrawals of Jarman Impey and Dominic Cassisi from the Power meant Tom Logan and Sam Gray were missing from the Magpies and their run was missed. In all Port had 11 AFL-listed players sidelined across the weekend.

The Bloods had 89 more possessions and 13 more clearances and thoroughly deserved a win in which 100-gamer Jon Beech, Chris Schmidt, Daniel Caire and Aaron Fielke were key architects.

“(Intensity) was a major focus because if you allow that Port team time and space they can really do some damage,’’ Bloods coach Mark Mickan said.

“We had a focus on tackling and I thought we improved in that area today.”

Port kicked with a stiff breeze in the opening term and continued its pattern of impressive opening quarters to lead by 20 points at the first break. The Magpies kicked the opening goal of the second term and led by 26 points five minutes into the quarter before the momentum of the match shifted dramatically.

West made a determined effort to use the corridor with the breeze and began creating turnovers. The Bloods kicked five goals in 12 minutes to lead at half-time and then opened up with the first three goals of the third term.

Magpies coach Garry Hocking wasn’t interesting in blaming personnel and said his side’s pressure had slipped.

“It’s not about personnel, it’s about attitude,’’ he said.

“We’ve been renowned for our strong team defence but we got showed up a bit today …

“I wasn’t so worried about the loss.

“I think you can learn a lot from a loss.”

Hartlett’s injury threatened to change the momentum of the match in the third term as Jake Neade, Mason Shaw and Danny Butcher goaled to level the scores at the final change.

Two early to Fielke to open the final term turn the match back in West’s favour.