Port Adelaide’s credentials as an AFL top four side go missing in Bombers humiliation

A STUNNED Port Adelaide’s top-four hopes took a major hit on Saturday night – and left coach Ken Hinkley searching for answers - as it ran into a Bomber blitz at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

Port Adelaide walk off Etihad Stadium after being smashed by Essendon.

SPEED kills!

A stunned Port Adelaide’s top-four hopes took a major hit on Saturday night – and left coach Ken Hinkley searching for answers - as it ran into a Bomber blitz at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

The Power – so consistent in its year of redemption after two seasons without finals – was blown away by a lightning-quick and exciting Essendon side that jumped into the top eight and cast doubts about Port’s pace.

The Dons’ mosquito fleet tore the Power’s heralded all-team defence apart as John Worsfold’s outfit – led by key defender-turned-forward Cale Hooker’s career-best five goals – kicked 12 first-half goals before winning by a season-high 70 points.

Cale Hooker of the Bombers marks during the Bombers’ hugew win against Port Adelaide.

The defeat was easily 6-5 Port’s biggest of the year, eclipsing the 31-point loss to flag favourite GWS in round four.

The Power’s other three losses have been by a combined 29 points.

A week after keeping Hawthorn to its lowest-ever half-time score of 0.3, Port – which boasted the AFL’s best defensive record of conceding just 72 points a game – coughed up 12.9 (81) in the opening half to fall 52 points behind and be out of the game.

Essendon, which kicked 19.17 (131) for the match to the Power’s paltry 8.13 (61), dominated the midfield through Zac Merrett, Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell, its band of small pacy runners led by the dynamic Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (four goals) and half-back Conor McKenna ran riot and key forwards Hooker, Joe Daniher (four goals) and James Stewart (two) feasted on the speedy ball movement and fine delivery.

In contrast, the Power was only a mere shadow of the side that had been on show in its opening 10 matches.

It had only a handful of solid contributors, led by Justin Westhoff (32 disposals), Robbie Gray (three goals) and Jackson Trengove.

The raw statistics illustrated the tale of woe for Port.

It had 85 fewer disposals, including 65 uncontested possessions as it was smashed on the outside, and 16 less inside-50s (51-67).

Tom Bellchambers of the Bombers and Patrick Ryder of the Power compete in the ruck.

Prior to the game, the Power – apart from boasting the best defensive record - led the competition in inside 50s (62 average) and inside 50 differential (+16).

In contrast, the Bombers ranked 16th in inside 50s and had won the forward-50 count only once for the year.

But the home side came out breathing fire, playing lightning-fast, high-risk footy and being rewarded.

It ran downfield at breakneck speed and to get the ball in quickly to key forwards Hooker, Stewart and Daniher, which unsettled the usually-reliable Power defence.

Hooker set the tone for a remarkable first quarter when he caught Hamish Hartlett holding the ball inside 50 to start the goal blitz.

Stewart added another with a brilliant checkside a minute later and by the 17-minute mark the margin had blown out to a staggering 39 points when Daniher broke a tackle from Trengove and somehow snapped the ball through Westhoff’s legs.

Robbie Gray finally got Port’s first major when he was awarded a free kick near the goalsquare for a hold in a ruck contest.

But when Hooker outmarked Jack Hombsch at the other end, Essendon kicked its seventh goal – its best ever opening quarter against the Power – and the 39-point margin had been restored.

It was the most points Port had conceded in a first quarter since Richmond kicked 8.2 in round seven, 2013.

Cale Hooker of the Bombers celebrates kicking a goal during Essendon’s big win against Port Adelaide.

The Bombers won disposals by 43 for the term, inside-50s by six, contested possessions by seven and uncontested possessions by 35.

Former Power star Kane Cornes described Essendon’s first quarter as the best he has seen this year.

Port hit back hard early in the second quarter to appear to give itself a lifeline.

It kicked three goals in 10 minutes without reply, including two to Robbie Gray, to draw to within 21 points.

The margin should have been 16 but Charlie Dixon – beaten by Michael Hartley all night - missed an easy set shot from 30m.

But another blistering 10-minute spell from the Bombers blew the game wide open.

Two goals each from the red-hot Hooker and Daniher and one from Merrett blew the margin out to an unreachable 52 points at the long break.

Jobe Watson of the Bombers reacts after kicking a goal against Port’s Hamish Hartlett.

SCOREBOARD

ESSENDON 7.6 12.9 14.13 19.17 (131)

PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 4.5 7.7 8.13 (61)

BEST – Essendon: Hooker, Z. Merrett, Heppell, Hurley, Watson, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Stewart, McKenna. Port: Westhoff, R. Gray, Trengove, Wines, Ebert.

GOALS – Essendon: Hooker 5, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Daniher 4, Stewart 2, Watson, Z. Merrett, Heppell, Goddard. Port: R. Gray 3, Powell-Pepper, Trengove, Westhoff, Ah Chee, S. Gray.

UMPIRES – C. Donlon, D. Margetts, C. Kamolins, D. Harris.

CROWD – 34,022 at Etihad Stadium.

Originally published as Port Adelaide’s credentials as an AFL top four side go missing in Bombers humiliation