Port tried to match Richmond’s high-tempo, high-pressure game plan but came up short
Port Adelaide tried to take on Richmond at its own game, but the Tigers were just too good and showed the Power how it should be done. Plus, recap with quarter-by-quarter reviews.
- Match report: Power’s finals hopes hang by a thread
- Match centre: All the stats and SuperCoach scores
Last week Port Adelaide was aggressive with the man.
On Saturday the Power directed its aggression towards its game plan and ball movement at the MCG.
Unfortunately for its fans, it delivered the same result but by trying to beat Richmond at its own game it at least stayed in the contest for large parts of the day.
While Port was bold, and bravely continued to try to go through the middle, once again turnovers hurt the Power and a red-hot Richmond outfit that was just too good made them pay.
Despite conceding the first three goals, it wasn’t as if Port Adelaide did not turn up to play — which has been a fortnightly criticism of Ken Hinkley’s men.
In fact they showed enough to have Nick Riewoldt declaring that the Power “look like a team that if you came up against them in September you would be worried”.
And at times Port did look threatening, the corridor-targeting ball movement is bold in theory but damaging when it can be pulled off and the Power rampage through the middle of the ground.
But at the same time the risk of such a tactic always looms large and when you turn the ball over as much as Port Adelaide can (84 times against the Tigers) you don’t want to be doing this playing a side that looks set to make a serious tilt at another premiership.
The Tigers joined the Power in channelling their aggression to the way they carried the ball at the MCG, covering over 900m in handballs — nine times the season average — as it ferociously attacked the corridor.
But the Tigers were just far more dangerous when turning their attention to goal, looking dangerous every time they embarked on an attack.
It didn’t even matter that Port beat Richmond at clearances, 37 to 24, the Tigers preyed on Power turnovers and made them pay on the scoreboard in a performance that would surely serve as an inspiration of how the Power want their new game style to look like.
After all the talk about whether he would go to Dustin Martin, Cam Sutcliffe started on Bachar Houli before trying his luck as a defensive forward.
Martin was allowed to run free, amassing 30 disposals, along with Dion Prestia giving the Port Adelaide midfield a run around.
Sam Powell-Pepper did not look comfortable as a forward, while Riley Bonner had numerous moments that he would want again.
Karl Amon showed why he has been Port’s most improved player this season, and quickly becoming one of the most important members out at Alberton, with a fine running performance backed up with good work around the stoppages.
Matthew Broadbent had a solid game upon his return to finish with 26 disposals, 21 by foot to buck the handball heavy nature of the game.
Charlie Dixon impressed in moments in Port’s attack, but there just wasn’t enough of this for the Power as a whole and down the other end Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt and the rest of the Richmond team showed them how it is done.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER UPDATES
FIRST QUARTER
Tigers 5.4 (34)
Power 2.4 (16)
Port Adelaide made another slow start, and a red-hot Richmond outfit made the Power pay kicking three-goals straight to race out of the blocks.
The Tigers cut through the Power from the very first bounce, and Jason Castagna perhaps should have made Port pay but his kick was inaccurate.
But Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch and Dustin Martin weren’t so forgiving, all taking their chances to punish yet another slow start from the Power.
Just when the game looked like it could get away from Port, youngster Zak Butters stood up to kick two quick goals to show some fight but a contentious 50m penalty conceded by Justin Westhoff with just seconds to go let Jack Graham extend Richmond’s lead to 18-points at the first break.
SECOND QUARTER
Tigers 8.5 (53)
Power 4.6 (30)
Charlie Dixon was dangerous at times in the first quarter but in the second Port’s big man really clicked into gear.
A great mark just two minutes in wasn’t backed up by an accurate kick but after Jack Riewoldt kicked his second six minutes in to the quarter Dixon replied one minute later with one of his own, and a lovely turn to set up Karl Amon to reduce Richmond’s lead to 12.
But the Tigers found their roar again, and after Mabior Chol kicked a settler Riewoldt registered his third with just over five minutes left to help Richmond to a healthy half-time lead.
THIRD QUARTER
Tigers 12.7 (79)
Power 7.7 (49)
Returning to the side after being dropped youngster Xavier Duursma got his bow and arrow out at the MCG after reducing the margin to 16 midway through the quarter, giving Port a sniff.
But turnovers once again hurt Port when Sydney Stack caught a flat footed Scott Lycett and set up Brandon Ellis for a momentum-killing goal.
Castagna kicked his second of the day after the 21st minute mark, and Ivan Soldo kicked the Tigers third in a row to give them a comfortable lead at three-quarter time despite a late Amon goal.
FOURTH QUARTER
Tigers 15.11 (101)
Power 9.9 (63)
Lynch continued his fine day out, kicking his third with a ripping effort after the ball unfortunately bounced through Tom Clurey’s hands, compounding a tough day for the Port defender.
With the game all but lost Port suffered another blow when Dan Houston hit his head hard when flung to the turf by a Graham tackle.
The Power competed all day but were just outclassed by a Richmond outfit now looming as a serious Premiership threat.