Nightmare turned dream: Ollie Lord’s chaotic debut has it all

This Port Adelaide rookie had a debut to remember after he turned a nightmare start into a dream against West Coast.

Ollie Lord of the Power kicks his first goal during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on April 22, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide debutant Ollie Lord has bounced back from a shocker of a start to boot an impressive first goal in Port Adelaide’s big 16.13 (109) to 10.9 (69) win over West Coast.

Lining up 25m out from goal directly in front early in the first quarter, the 21-year-old missed everything to send the Sherrin out of bounds on the full in a shocking attempt that came off the side of the boot.

While it may have been due to the nerves of kicking for his first goal in AFL football, he quickly made up for it.

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Lord quickly earned himself another set shot 50m out on an angle, only to be called to play on after taking too long to start his run up, and firing off a hurried shot off three steps that went sailing through the big sticks for his maiden AFL goal.

Ollie Lord had family and friends aplenty on hand to celebrate his debut. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Lord would go onto record an encouraging debut with five disposals, two marks and a goal in the first quarter, finishing with 10 touches and three marks while, proving to be a strong presence up front.

News Corp journalist Max Hatzoglou said Port fans should “get excited by Ollie Lord.”

“A skilful key forward with good hands above his head and on ground level. He has a lovely snap on him, he is athletic and a fierce competitor,” Hatzoglou said.

AFL.com.au’s Nat Edwards said she was “really loving” Lord’s game.

It comes as Port Adelaide’s season continues to gather momentum, Connor Rozee and Willem Drew starring as the Power made it three wins in a row.

In an undermanned forward line, Jeremy Finlayson stepped up with an equal career-high five goals in the win at Adelaide Oval.

Rozee and Drew were instrumental as the Power improved to a 4-2 win-loss record, Rozee awarded the Peter Badcoe VC Medal as best player on the ground.

Ollie Lord was rewarded with a Gatorade shower in the rooms afterwards. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With wins against Sydney, the Western Bulldogs and West Coast over the past three weeks, the Power has recovered nicely from an early-season form dip.

But a huge test awaits Ken Hinkley’s side, which faces St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on the big stage of Friday night footy in Round 7.

Well that's one way to bag your first goal 😅

Take a bow Ollie Lord 👏👏

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The Power could be without skipper Tom Jonas and twin towers Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall for the pivotal clash, after Dixon missed the game against West Coast with a knee injury and Marshall suffered a concussion against the Eagles.

Jonas will be sweating on the Match Review Officer’s assessment of his huge bump on Jai Culley.

Wounded West Coast’s injury crisis has been well-documented, but Port fans sensing an easy kill were left disappointed in the early going.

Adam Simpson’s side trailed by just five points at the first break, but should’ve been in front with some better kicking for goal.

But the Power got busy in the second term to set up the win with a six-goals-to-one quarter.

Tim Kelly and Andrew Gaff were prominent as the Eagles fought out the match admirably, the visitors equalling Port’s tally of seven goals in the second half

The game was Port Adelaide’s 600th since the club’s AFL journey began in 1997, the result making it 318 wins, 277 losses and five draws.

- with NCA Newswire