Port Adelaide battled hard but was outmatched by efficient, more experienced Hawks

The Power — and particularly its host of youngsters — have plenty to learn from a 31-point loss to Hawthorn in Tasmania. Plus: recap quarter-by-quarter reviews here.

• Match report: Power ‘gone in 25 points’
• Match centre: All the stats and SupeCoach scores

It was a bit fumbly, at times a bit stagnant and hesitant and sometimes it seemed impossible for Port Adelaide to find a way through Hawthorn’s numbers but this should have been a really important lesson for the Power.

It didn’t help that Hawthorn kicked its five of its first seven goals from turnovers or that the ball spend much more time in the Hawks’ attacking area than the Power’s.

Really, Port Adelaide never really looked like they were a chance to win this game, regardless of how much commentators have this habit of selling excitement and hope during games.

The game was just about cooked when Port Adelaide was kept from scoring even a behind in the first quartet.

But that doesn’t mean this was a waste; for Port Adelaide it should have been invaluable.

It should not be forgotten that this is effectively a side in a rebuilding phase.

There are so many players with are just starting out at the level that players such as Sam Powell-Pepper and Darcy Byrne-Jones who combined for impressive games, looked like leaders and veterans of the side.

Powell-Pepper is in his third season and Byrne-Jones is all of 23 years old.

When you look around this team is as green as a billiard table.

Jarrod Lienert of the Power (left) and Tom Scully of the Hawks contest during the Round 10 match in Launceston Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Jarrod Lienert has only just reached double figures in games played, Billy Frampton — found the Hawks’ pressure stifling — is more accustomed to the pace in the SANFL.

Peter Ladhams made his debut and kicked a nice goal in the last quarter and it would have been an important afternoon of learning for him.

And then there are top draft picks Xavier Duursma, Zak Butters and Connor Rozee.

There’s been much said about the form of the trio and they had some really impressive moments in the chill of Launceston.

Rozee has some moves that make him look like a seasoned forward in his late 20s and one of Duursma’s chase-down tackles had the crowd on its feet.

But this time of year — when it’s wet and cold and heavy — can be a grave yard for young players.

It should be noted that Jack Gunston was the man of the match with a bag of elegantly kicked goals and Ricky Henderson wasn’t far behind in terms of influence.

Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 10 match. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

They are old hands compared with Port Adelaide’s lot, have been in similar situations and conditions so many times over the years and have a level of composure that takes a bit of time to develop.

Port Adelaide’s season is still alive and the Power will continue to strive for finals.

But just as coach Ken Hinkley did at the trade table last year, it is also a time to look forward.

For the day when the thee first-rounders have had a few pre-seasons together and can lead and stay in games the way the two hyphens, Powell-Pepper and Byrne-Jones ran around in Tasmania.

Hawthorn looked more hardened, had better pressure and more clout.

But every challenging game like this should make Port Adelaide, because it is in a developing phase.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER

FIRST QUARTER

Hawks 4.1 (25)

Power 0.0 (0)

Worpedo fires!#AFLHawksPower pic.twitter.com/tPdC4cRclY

— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019

Port Adelaide had more of the ball but Hawthorn played more effective wet-weather football: more hitouts, more tackles and more inside-50s.

Former Crow Jack Gunston kicked the first two goals of the match — the second after Sam Powell-Pepper turned it over by basically losing the ball when in the act of kicking.

Darcy Byrne-Jones and Jarrod Lienert both played strong opening quarters in defence.

SECOND QUARTER

Hawks 6.2 (38)

Power 2.3 (15)

🏹#AFLHawksPower pic.twitter.com/5c8lgcWfgt

— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019

The Power began coming back in the clearances department and also had three successive scoring shots in the late in the quarter.

Even though that only lead to one goal, Port Adelaide was beginning to find better field position even though Hawthorn’s pressure and tackling made it difficult to move the ball as quickly as they liked.

Tom Rockliff began asserting himself on the game.

THIRD QUARTER

Hawks 9.5 (59)

Power 5.7 (37)

Tremendous ball movement from the Power leads to a goal for Karl Amon!#AFLHawksPower pic.twitter.com/oSXGegaT8M

— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019

There were glimpses from Port Adelaide with impressive plays from first-year players Connor Rozee and Xavier Duursma, both of whom are in the running for this year’s rising star award.

But the greatest issue remained the same — especially as they were playing against the wind.

The ball spent too much time in Hawthorn’s attack.

At one stage, it had ben there for 75 per cent of the quarter, a bit later 66 per cent. Rockliff was getting treatment on his hamstrings on the sidelines. Port’s intensity rose towards the end of the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Hawks 12.8 (8)

Power 6.10 (46)

That's five for Gunston!#AFLHawksPower pic.twitter.com/Mc7ynOFGHI

— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019

Jack Gunston continued his masterclass as the Power came home with the wind but never really found any momentum.

Hawthorn leaves this match with the same record as Port Adelaide, 5-5, but looks more prepared for heavy, mid-winter football.

The Hawks effectively stifled Port Adelaide and their numbers behind the ball meant the Power found it hard to get through them — even when they tried to switch — and then they dominated the air when Port Adelaide went long down the line.

The brothers looking sharp as they prepare to face the Hawks tomorrow in Sir Doug Nicholls Round 👊🏾🖤💛♥️ #weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/CvYIBbwsu8

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) May 24, 2019

HAWTHORN V PORT ADELAIDE

UTAS Stadium, Saturday 1.15pm

TV: Fox Footy, Channel 7 (live)

RADIO: TripleM, ABC891, FIVEaa

LIVE STREAM: Kayosports.com.au

HAWKS

B James Sicily, James Frawley, Jarman Impey

HB Ben Stratton, Tim O’Brien, Blake Hardwick

C Tom Scully, Jaeger O’Meara, Ricky Henderson

HF Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo, Jack Scrimshaw

F Chad Wingard, Marc Pittonet, Jack Gunston

FOL Jonathon Ceglar, James Worpel, Liam Shiels

I/C Shaun Burgoyne, Conor Glass, Harry Morrison, James Cousins

EMG Dylan Moore, Kaiden Brand, Jarryd Roughead

IN

James Frawley, Chad Wingard, Marc Pittonet

OUT

Dylan Moore, Ben McEvoy (injured), Mitch Lewis (injured)

POWER

B Matthew Broadbent, Tom Clurey, Dan Houston

HB Tom Jonas, Dougal Howard, Darcy Byrne-Jones

C Xavier Duursma, Tom Rockliff, Karl Amon

HF Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Steven Motlop

F Sam Gray, Paddy Ryder, Connor Rozee

FOL Peter Ladhams, Sam Powell-Pepper, Travis Boak

I/C Kane Farrell, Billy Frampton, Jarrod Lienert, Zak Butters

EMG Willem Drew, Joe Atley, Sam Mayes, Joel Garner

IN

Tom Jonas, Robbie Gray, Peter Ladhams

OUT

Scott Lycett (injured), Joe Atley, Joel Garner

NEW

Peter Ladhams

Originally published as Port Adelaide battled hard but was outmatched by efficient, more experienced Hawks