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Port Adelaide withstood a strong charge from St Kilda on Sunday to run out the 33-point winners in the first round of the 2016 AFL season.
Final score
Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) def. St Kilda 15.10 (100)
Port Adelaide have started off their season in fine fashion, shaking off a very gallant St Kilda side with a seven-goal fourth quarter en route to a 33-point victory.
Entering the quarter with a surprising six-point deficit, the Power peppered the goals early, establishing a four-point lead, before unleashing with six unanswered majors to extend their lead to 39 points.
A late goal to Nick Riewoldt – 650th in his career – pulled the margin back to 33 points, but the damage had well and truly been done.
It was a huge turnaround for Port Adelaide who, after surrendering three goals in a minute, trailed by as many as 21 points late in the third quarter. But after that three-goal burst the Saints could only manage one more major, as the Power powered on to a big win.
The big margin however was not reflective of the nature of the game, with the Saints pestering their highly-fancied opponents for much of the afternoon.
Port Adelaide got superb efforts from Robbie Gray (26 disposals, eight clearances, four goals), Brad Ebert (25 disposals, eight tackles, three goals), Hamish Hartlett (24 disposals, nine tackles) and Sam Gray (37 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s).
Matthew Lobbe looked good on the stat-sheet (42 hit-outs, seven tackles), but had his coloured lowered, while Charlie Dixon was able to recover from a slow start to finish with three goals next to his name.
Jack Steven was everywhere for St Kilda (36 disposals, eight inside 50s, seven clearances and a goal), Tom Hickey had a career afternoon with 56 hit-outs and 20 disposals, while Leigh Montagna was strong in Game 250 with 29 disposals.
But in the end the young St Kilda bodies weren’t able to outlast their more experienced opponents.
Port Adelaide – 4.1 | 9.2 | 13.9 | 20.13 (133)
St Kilda – 4.4 | 9.8 | 14.9 | 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Power: R. Gray 4, Wingard 3, Dixon 3, Ebert 3, Westhoff 2, Schulz, Boak, Wines, Ah Chee, Broadbent
Saints: Lonie 3, Riewoldt 2, Weller 2, Bruce 2, Gresham, Steven, Acres, Armitage, Newnes, Gilbert
Attendance: 43,807
The Port Adelaide Power are desperate to atone for their poor 2015 campaign, but in Round 1 they face a St Kilda Saints side that also has dramatic improvement on their mind. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEDT).
A Hawthorn versus Port Adelaide grand final was the popular pick before last season, and while the Hawks and Power did play out some thrilling matches Port’s season stunningly spluttered out before September began.
A finals appearance is a must for the Power in 2016, and they need to open their account with a big win against a lesser opposition.
Port struggled to knock off the teams below them on the ladder in 2015, although they bucked that trend against St Kilda, recording a thumping 73-point win late in the season.
Port’s recent record against the Saints is a strong one; they’ve won the past four matches between the two sides including the last two by 70 or more points.
After a miserable wooden spoon campaign in 2014, St Kilda turned heads with measured improvement last season.
Their win tally may have only gone from four to six, but the Saints were a much more competitive outfit in 2015, highlighted by a stunning comeback against the Bulldogs, a 110-point obliteration of the Bombers and a gritty draw against a desperate Geelong team late in the year.
But they look to have a ways to go before their finals dream becomes a reality. A first-up trip to Adelaide to face Port is a great chance to demonstrate just how much they’ve improved over the summer.
St Kilda have struggled badly in the City of Churches lately. Their last win in South Australia came way back in 2011, with the Saints yet to notch a victory at Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide were the hardest hit club outside of Essendon by the ASADA suspensions, losing ruckman Paddy Ryder and forward Angus Monfries for the season.
That said, the Power will have virtually a full-strength side for the season opener. Prized recruit Charlie Dixon will certainly feature in a big way for his new club, while Jimmy Toumpas is also a chance to pull on the Port jersey for the first time.
St Kilda on the other hand have some injury concerns in the talls department, with both Billy Longer and Paddy McCartin unlikely to be fit for Round 1. Tom Hickey and Jason Holmes should shoulder the ruck duties and Alan Richardson must privately be thrilled that Ryder is out.
As far as the midfield and smalls go however, the Saints look to be fit, firing and raring to go.
Prediction
The Power won more games than they lost in 2015, but it was a disappointing season and nobody can deny they have the talent to have a serious crack at 2016.
St Kilda may go better this season, but the Power in Adelaide is still a rung too high for these young Saints.
Power by 33 points