Port Adelaide and Richmond fight out dramatic draw

IF Port Adelaide's players wanted to catch the eye of their prospective coach yesterday, they succeeded in a dramatic draw with Richmond.

THEY say first impressions last.

So if Port Adelaide's players wanted to catch the eye of their prospective coach yesterday, they succeeded despite only gaining two premiership points in a dramatic draw with Richmond at the MCG.

Despite falling two goals down 20 minutes into the final term, Port bravely defied the Tiger tidal wave spurred on by Jack Riewoldt's Coleman Medal party.

Riewoldt kicked six goals to take his season tally to 65 - three clear of Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich.

And while the behind scored by Power skipper Dom Cassisi in in the 30th minute tied up the scores, the visitors - best served by the tireless Brad Ebert, Matthew Broadbent and clean-marking Jay Schulz - were left with a "hollow feeling".

"It was certainly a hollow feeling after finishing even at the end of the battle," Port caretaker coach Garry Hocking said after his side failed to chalk up its first victory at the home of football since round four, 2009.

"I'm not a big fan for extra time.

"You get a certain amount of time to win the game but when the siren blows both teams had fought hard for a win and the fact it was a draw wasn't great for us.

"We came to win.

All our preparation for the week was to win this game and we really wanted to get something out of the opportunity to play at the MCG in September.

"And give the players a strong taste in their mouth by leaving the ground with a win before the pre-season."

When Riewoldt seemingly put the icing on the black and gold cake with his sixth goal of the match, Port found a way to respond. Power speedster David Rodan goaled on the run from 55m out after accepting a handball from Matt Thomas with three minutes left to play.

Then promising utility Aaron Young was ultra-cool in kicking truly from a 20m set shot to put Port within a point with 1:30 left on the clock.

And while captain Cassisi levelled the scores with his left-foot kick from 50m with 20 seconds remaining, Port was far from satisfied.

With several of its players fighting for their future, Port's aggressive intent early in the contest was obvious. The club's most consistent performer this year, Brad Ebert, got his side rolling with a nice goal through from a tight angle just two minutes into the opening quarter.

Despite Richmond kicking the final three goals of the first term to establish a 14-point lead at the first change, Port's efficiency by foot was surprisingly good.

This allowed the visitors to enter the ball inside their attacking 50m arc more often than the Tigers, who were clearly far too Riewoldt-conscious in the first half.

Riewoldt's second goal of the match was the hosts' only major for the second quarter as the man who left Tigerland - Port forward Schulz - kicked three goals in succession to give his side an unlikely one-point lead at the main break.

Suddenly, the area which has largely brought about Port's downfall this year - skill execution - was being used to advantage to hit the hard-running Schulz up on the lead.

While Port had less of the ball in the first half, it didn't matter due to its polish by foot with Aaron Young, Pearce and Westhoff all lacing Schulz out while kicking the ball inside 50m.

Defensively, the visitors also showed more desperation by laying nine more tackles in the opening half.