SANFL 2018: Port Adelaide and Eagles share points in match coach Michael Godden described as ‘very strange’

THEY failed to kick a goal until midway through the final quarter. But Woodville-West Torrens somehow managed to share the points with Port Adelaide for the first draw of 2018 SANFL season.

Port Adelaide’s Lindsay Thomas celebrates kicking a goal against Woodville-West Torrens at Alberton Oval on Saturday. Picture SARAH REED

PORT Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens recorded the first draw of the SANFL season at Alberton Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies’ 4.4 (28) to the Eagles’ 2.16 (28) draw was also the first between the two sides since the amalgamation of Woodville and West Torrens football clubs in 1990.

Both sides had trouble adjusting to the wet and windy conditions and struggled to gain any real ascendancy in the first half.

The visitors’ inaccuracy in front of goal was what cost them in snatching the victory after being unable to record a major score until the 14th minute mark of the final quarter through Nick Hayes.

Former Magpie Jake Johansen almost became a hero for the Eagles when he booted his side’s second goal with less than 10 minutes to go in the final term, putting the visitors a point ahead.

But Port’s only multiple goal kicker, ex-Kangaroo Lindsay Thomas, marked and slotted a point to level the scores.

Woodville-West Torrens were left to rue missed opportunities inside 50, after locking the ball in its forward half for most of the second half.

The Eagles managed to pass their lowest score ever recorded of 3.7 (25), set against Central District at Elizabeth Oval in 2012.

The Magpies also passed their lowest score of 1.1 (7), set while playing North Adelaide at Alberton Oval in May 1990.

Port skipper Steven Summerton led the way for the hosts with 36 disposals and eight inside 50s.

James Bond gets his kick away while being tackled by Port’s Jack Trengove. Picture: Sarah Reed

Toumpas also played well with 29 possessions, while Pittard made a solid return from a hamstring injury suffered in a pre-season game, to record 28 possessions and six defensive rebounds. James Boyd (30 possessions) and Angus Poole (28) were best for the Eagles.

Port coach Matthew Lokan said his side played well considering the tough conditions.

“I thought our guys had a really strong contribution over the whole game, we just weren’t able to hit the scoreboard, especially early on,” Lokan said.

“I thought our backs held up really strong for the whole four quarters.”

Eagles coach Michael Godden praised his side for restricting Port to just 36 inside 50s.

“I don’t think I’ve experienced a game like this one, it was very strange,” Godden said. “But the pleasing thing was our ability to fight it out.

“We were missing a lot of shots, but the statistics show we had 10 more scoring shots and 12 more inside 50s, so I’m really happy with that.”

SCOREBOARD

Port Adelaide 2.1 2.2 2.3 4.4 (28)

Woodville-West Torrens Eagles 0.1 0.5 0.10 2.16 (28)

GOALS:

Port – Thomas 2, Snelling, Johnson. Eagles – N Hayes Johansen

BEST:

Port – Summerton, Toumpas, Pittard, Proude, Snelling. Eagles – N Hayes, Boyd, Poole, Stewart, Johansen.

REPORTS: Nil

UMPIRES: Lewis, Broadbent, Medllin

CROWD: 1589 At Alberton Oval