Woodville-West Torrens soars in second half to down Port Adelaide

WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens could not buy a goal during a strangely low-scoring first half against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday. But after half time it found its mojo.

WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens could not buy a goal during a strangely low-scoring first half against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

Despite sunny skies and minimal breeze, the Eagles had just 1.1 at half-time and the Magpies held a 21-point lead, as both sides battled to find space and hit-up forward targets.

But the visitors got on top in the second half, kicking 8.6 to Port’s 2.4 on their way to a 17-point victory.

The result caps a contrasting fortnight for both clubs — the Magpies having lost consecutive games for just the second time since becoming the Power’s reserves and Woodville-West Torrens backing up its breakthrough win over Central District at Elizabeth.

Eagles coach Michael Godden was thrilled with the latest victory and said his side was playing better than when it was 7-1 last season.

“It was a pretty unique game early — it was just a fight, a contested fight,” Godden said.

“To be where we were at half-time (and win), it’s a pretty courageous effort.”

People following the game from elsewhere could have been forgiven for thinking there was heavy rain at Alberton, such were the low scores to half-time.

The sides kicked just 2.1 between them in the first quarter — the Eagles leading 1.1 to Port’s 1.0.

Adding to the bizarre nature of the early stages, the Magpies’ first goal came from key defender Tom Clurey, who started in attack.

It took 17 minutes for the first goal in the second term — to Port youngster Mitch Harvey — but then the Magpies pushed clear for the first time thanks to another two majors.

Both sides were tight defensively and pressured their opponents well but also lacked the daring to take the game on.

Momentum changed in the third term as Woodville-West Torrens began to move the ball quicker and more purposefully.

When they did not have the ball, the Eagles frustrated the Magpies with a press that allowed them to squeeze the play in their attacking half for extended periods.

They also got numbers back in defence to cut off Port’s forward thrusts.

The Eagles retook the lead for the first time since the opening term when Nick Hayes kicked truly 26 minutes into the quarter.

The match appeared set for Port to run over the top of the Eagles in the final term but it never happened.

Eight minutes into the quarter, Jarrad Redden lay flat on the ground after crashing into a marking contest and was helped off the field by trainers nursing a back injury.

Redden did not return and was sent off for scans, leaving Mitch Harvey to do the bulk of the ruck work for the remainder of the game.

Once Lachlan McGregor soccered a major from the goal square, the margin was 19 points and the Eagles were all but home.

Any chance Port had of making a late charge ended when Jake Neade, Louis Sharrad and Paul Stewart all missed goals.

“They had a good zone in place and our blokes weren’t brave enough to get through it,” Magpies coach Garry Hocking said.

“They had two or three back at times, making it really difficult for us to score.

“We’ve got to play quicker and be a bit bolder with the ball.”