How the Power defied the odds to win their first AFL game on the road against the best team in the league
Port Adelaide trailed by 40 points against the top of the table Bulldogs in 1997, and hadn’t yet won away from home. But legendary coach John Cahill rallied his troops to an unlikely victory. Here’s how it happened.
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They trailed the ladder leaders by 40 points at quarter-time on the road and – three months into their inaugural AFL season – had yet to win away from Football Park.
But legendary Port Adelaide coach John Cahill knew this game was not over.
“Because this team had something special about it,’’ Cahill recalled this week.
“Did I think we were going to win when I made my quarter-time speech? Probably not, because we were so far down against a really good team.
“But I could tell from the look in my players’ eyes and the spirit within the team that we would fight back and that all was not lost, that we had some hope.’’
Not many people outside of Port’s inner sanctum were thinking that when the top-placed Western Bulldogs kicked eight goals to one in the opening 30 minutes to lead the round 12, 1997, encounter by 40 points at Princes Park.
The Power, which had performed strongly at home, winning six of its first eight matches at Football Park, had lost its three previous road games by an average of 57 points.
And now it was being steamrolled by a red-hot Bulldogs team which had the previous week won the battle of first versus second against Geelong.
With Scott Wynd controlling the ruck and fellow Brownlow Medallist Tony Liberatore and medal runner-up Scott West dominating at ground level, the Dogs were all over Port in the first quarter.
Cahill, who had coached Port to a record 10 SANFL premierships, likened it to the deficit the Magpies were facing against Woodville-West Torrens in the 1994 grand final when they stormed back from 35 points behind in the first quarter to pull off a famous victory.
“I looked the players in the eye and just asked them to keep pushing,’’ he said.
“Just like against the Eagles in 1994, I knew this team had great character, tremendous inner strength and belief, and I just asked for a huge effort, for them to give our supporters and members something to be proud about.
“We had three non-negotiables that year – to win the 50-50 contests, look at the body when you tackle with strength and turn around quickly when you win the ball so you can give it to someone in a better position – and they followed that to the letter of the law after quarter-time.’’
With blue-collar midfielders Brayden Lyle and Roger James getting on top in the centre square and full forward Scott Cummings providing a strong focal point, the Power kicked four goals without reply in the second quarter ro draw to within 16 points at halftime and momentum had changed.
“At halftime we could see daylight,’’ Cahill said of his young side.
“The players’ belief in the game plan was paying off and there was a strong feeling among the group that suddenly we were in with a big chance of winning our first game on the road.
“From looking at the boys I knew that if it came down to desire we weren’t going to lose.
“What we lacked in size and experience we made up for with fierce competitiveness.’’
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Port won a tight third quarter by four points to draw to within two goals at the final change.
Then it exploded.
With its engine room humming and defence repelling attack after attack, it kicked six goals to two in the final term to win by 12 points.
Cummings, who had been recruited from Essendon, booted five goals, defender Nigel Fiegert, who played only 19 games for the Power, was an unlikely hero up forward with three majors, Lyle was awarded the three Brownlow Medal votes for his standout 28-disposal game and James was superb with 24 possessions and two goals.
Port kicked 13 goals to four after quarter-time to stage a remarkable comeback and claim its first scalp on the road.
Cahill described the win as one of the best of his illustrious career, including the grand final victories.
“To prove a point and win our first game on the road when you are that far behind against the top team was just terrific and illustrated the fierce mentality, desire and mental toughness of our players,’’ he aid.
“No-one outside of the club would have given us a chance at quarter-time but the players believed in the jumper and showed that they are never beaten.’’
The win put Port back into the top eight with a 7-5 win-loss record but the rigours of a first AFL season eventually took its toll on young bodies.
The Power lost four and drew one of its last five games to miss the finals on percentage.
“I was so proud of that team,’’ Cahill said.
“We were a young, inexperienced side that ran out of puff late in the season – physically we weren’t strong enough, I think we had about $200 worth of gym equipment – but they were a very coachable group that played with great heart and gave everything for the jumper.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.’’
PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 5.7 8.10 14.10 (94)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.2 8.5 10.10 12.10 (82)
BEST – Port: Lyle, James, Cummings, Fiegert, Dickie, Wilson, Paxman. Bulldogs: West, Liberatore, Dimattina, Wynd, Cook, Southern.
GOALS – Port: Cummings 5, Fiegert 3, Eagleton, James 2, Wilson, Francou. Bulldogs: Cook 3, Hudson, Smith 2, Brown, Grant, Kolyniuk, Liberatore, West.
CROWD – 14,025 at Princes Park