Port Adelaide’s older brigade steps up when needed to cruise to Round 1 win over Gold Coast
Port Adelaide has some of the most exciting youngsters in the AFL. But it was the Power’s elder statesmen who stepped up when required against the Gold Coast.
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The youngsters continued to show they have talent, and the new kid on the block made an impact that would have thrilled Port Adelaide coaches.
But it was Port’s older heads who stood up when required and helped the Power overcome what could have been an awkward Round 1 game when they need to make a fast start to 2020.
While they were beaten from pillar to post for much of last year, the heralding of a new season and some more top-end talent and much needed experienced players had made the Gold Coast Suns an entirely different proposition.
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In fact after two wins in pre-season, a Round 1 trip to Metricon is arguably the worst time to face the Suns.
And last year’s wooden spooners, who actually won their first three games of that season before going winless in 2019, came out with this spring in their step, making life quite uncomfortable for Port in the opening exchanges of the match.
Again sluggish out of the blocks the Power needed to get control of the ball, and Travis Boak and Tom Rockliff not only did that – they took ownership of the Sherrin.
Suns captain Jarrod Witts was winning the ruck but wherever his tap fell more often than not the 31-year-old Boak and the 30-year-old Rockliff were there to win the ball as Port smashed the all important clearances area – finishing with a game high 25 and 26 disposals.
Up forward debutant Mitch Georgiades kicked two goals on debut, albeit it six short of what father John did in his first VFL game, after fine work by Boak while young tall Todd Marshall finished with two himself.
But like in the middle of the ground, it was the older heads doing the damage in Port’s forward line.
He will still infuriate some Power supporters but Steven Motlop looks a new prospect after a big off-season, finishing with two goals, 13 disposals and three tackles.
Robbie Gray produced the classiest moment of the match, with a stunning turn to lose his Suns opponent and set up fellow Port veteran Brad Ebert for an easy goal.
Ebert may not have even been out there if spearhead Charlie Dixon had recovered from an adductor injury suffered in Port’s final pre-season game.
But the 29-year-old, who struggled with concussion symptoms and a knee injury last year, made the most of this opportunity in the first three quarters – racking up 17 disposals, eight marks and four tackles – before he limped to the bench with a right knee injury.
At the start of the week it was unclear if Ebert would be in Port’s Round 1 team, now it will be a blow if he is ruled out of the Showdown – although he did return to the field with his knee heavily strapped.
It won’t be the best performance Port Adelaide put in this season, the Power didn’t kick a goal in the third against a Suns team that were out on their feet.
But the Power did enough to kill off the game as soon as they could, and they owed much of this to their experienced players who suggested it isn’t just young talent time at Port Adelaide this year.