Five things we learned from Port Adelaide’s Round 12 clash with Richmond

RICHMOND has been left to lick its wounds after a 14-point loss to Port Adelaide last night. So what were the main takeaways? And how big was the absence of Dustin Martin?

Dustin Martin was missed by the Tigers. Pic: Getty Images

RICHMOND has been left to lick its wounds after a third loss on the road this year to Port Adelaide last night.

The Power stamped their authority with a seven-goal second quarter which proved the difference in a low-scoring game.

Here are five things we learned from the Round 12 match.

RELATED: POWER STUNS REIGNING PREMIER

1. PORT ADELAIDE IS MORE THAN CAPABLE

The question pre-game was whether the Power were contenders or pretenders. I’m not sure we got an answer either way, but they did show they are more than capable at their best. The second-quarter blitz which delivered 7.3 — including four in six minutes during time-on — showed that Ken Hinkley’s side has the weapons to do some damage this season. But the home side went on to kick just one second half goal, seemingly unsure of themselves and going back into their shells. Still, it was a potential season-defining win but we need to see it more consistently.

Port Adelaide players leave the ground after their win over Richmond. Picture: James Elsby/Getty Images

2. THE TIGERS MIDFIELD IS LACKING

Trent Cotchin, Kane Lambert and Shane Edwards can’t do it all. As much as Dustin Martin is not having the season he did in 2017, his absence with a calf complaint was telling. The Tigers were smashed in the clearance count 49-35, lost centre clearances 15-5 and were beaten for inside-50s 68-49. Martin is Richmond’s clearance king, having logged 61 this year including 44 at centre bounce. Cotchin (59) is the only teammate who comes close. Martin is also No. 1 at the club for inside-50s, averaging 5.1 a game. While it is expected the reigning Brownlow Medal winner will return to tackle Geelong next Sunday, it is clear Richmond is also missing two other premiership midfielder in Dion Prestia (calf) and Bachar Houli (groin) who could be another month away.

Richmond midfield bull Dustin Martin missed last night’s clash with Port Adelaide with calf soreness. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

3. AWAY WINS IN ADELAIDE AND PERTH ARE TOUGH

Last night’s crowd of 39,936 at Adelaide Oval was a little less than expected but it was still a hostile environment for Richmond, which now has a 0-3 record on the road this season. Two of those losses have been at Adelaide Oval against the South Australian teams, with the other against West Coast at Perth Stadium. Those venues are going to be difficult for any visiting teams this season, and it’s not just the Tigers who are having issues. Against interstate sides on their home turf Port Adelaide is 3-1, Adelaide is 4-2, West Coast is 5-1 and Fremantle is 4-1. That’s a combined 16-5 between the four clubs. The ‘Richmond can only play at the MCG’ argument is hardly fair with that considered.

4. WINES IS WORTH PLENTY

Is Ollie Wines going to be playing in Port Adelaide colours next year? Who knows. Some of his recent answers in interviews have seemingly been a tad conflicting and the time frame has been pushed back. However, all the pressure surrounding his future is not hurting his form. In fact, he might have bumped up his contract offers last night with what was surely a three-vote game. Interestingly, Wines only played 65 per cent game time yet collected 29 disposals (16 contested), seven clearances, 686 metres gained and laid a game-high 12 tackles. The Richmond on-ballers could simply not contain him — or stick a tackle on him — for he is too big and strong.

Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff and Richmond’s Trent Cotchin contest the ruck. Picture: Sarah Reed

5. RICHMOND REALLY DOESN’T NEED A SECOND RUCK

It would be fair to assume the 185cm Cotchin would never have thought he would be an AFL ruckman when he was drafted but that’s the role he found himself playing at times again last night. Cotchin, Josh Caddy and Shaun Grigg were all used as makeshift ruckman to give Toby Nankervis breaks in his battle against Port pair Paddy Ryder and Justin Westhoff. And, surprisingly, the use of the undersized trio did not seem to matter much in a lot of the contests around the ground.

LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >