Woodville-West Torrens Eagles maul Port Adelaide Magpies in third-term SANFL blitz

WOODVILLE-West Torrens has underlined its premiership credentials with a commanding triumph over Port Adelaide in a September dress rehearsal.

The Eagles’ best player, Jake Johansen gets to the ball ahead of Port Adelaide’s Emmanuel Irra. Picture: Tom Huntley

WOODVILLE-West Torrens has underlined its premiership credentials with a commanding triumph over Port Adelaide in a September dress rehearsal.

Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash was an arm-wrestle early, but was blown open in the third term when the Eagles kicked seven goals to one to set up the 27-point victory at Woodville Oval.

The ladder-leader had stuck with the second-ranked Magpies in a low-scoring first half.

It turned the screws in the premiership quarter as its slick ball movement, dogged pressure and pinpoint goal kicking swept Port aside.

Eagles coach Michael Godden said his players proved their class and maturity when it mattered.

“I wasn’t too sure at halftime where the game was at, but the players seemed really confident in what was going on out there,” Godden said.

“They felt like they could control the game and our third quarter broke the game open.

“This playing group understands the game plan as well as I do now, so there’s no magic behind it.

“I’m really pleased for them.”

Forward Nick Hayes booted four goals for the hosts in an impressive performance.

Woodville-West Torrens’ James Boyd breaks free from the contest against Port Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

Jake Johansen (27 disposals, two goals), Paul Stewart (24), Scott Lewis (28) and ruckman Jordan West, (two goals, seven tackles) in just his second SANFL match, were excellent in a strong team display.

But the eventual winning margin looked unlikely during a tight opening term.

Nick Hayes got the Eagles on the board early before Brett Eddy marked strongly to goal from directly in front.

Nathan Krakouer was on target from just inside 50 to ensure the sides remained neck-and-neck at quarter-time.

Port hit the front following a three-goal-to-one second term.

Teenager Joseph Atley showed some speed to slot home from an angle for the Magpies.

The Eagles replied as Johansen booted a beauty on the run.

But two brilliant Dougal Howard goals — including an improvised soccer-style over the shoulder effort — handed the visitors a 10-point halftime buffer.

The Eagles’ Lewis Scott attempts to gather the ball under pressure from Port's Matthew Lobbe. Picture: Tom Huntley

The Eagles stormed back to kick five unanswered majors in the opening 10 minutes of the third quarter on their way to building a matchwinning lead.

Nick Hayes took a high-flying mark and converted in the opening minute of the term, before goaling twice more in quick succession.

Matthew Goldsworthy finished from close range then produced a superb kick from a tight angle to put the home side firmly in control.

Eddy (three goals) took another muscular grab and kicked truly, but Johansen and big man West, with his maiden league major, pressed home the Eagles’ advantage.

Port mentor Chad Cornes offered a scathing assessment of his side’s display following last week’s loss to Sturt.

“It was a completely unacceptable performance from us and that’s two weeks in a row,” Cornes said.

“There is no positive out of today.”

SCOREBOARD

EAGLES 2.3 3.7 10.11 12.13 (85)

PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 5.5 6.7 8.10 (58)

BEST — Eagles: Johansen, Stewart, N. Hayes, Lewis, West, Sinor, Allmond, Hall. Port: Ah Chee, Toumpas, Eddy, Summerton, Howard, Atley.

GOALS — Eagles: N. Hayes 4, Goldsworthy, West, Johansen 2, Hall, Gaffney. Port: Eddy 3, Howard 2, Atley, Krakouer, Monfries.

INJURIES — Eagles: Rowntree (knee).

UMPIRES — A. Crosby, D. Sobieraj, T. Burke

CROWD — 1786 at Woodville Oval