Round three continues with an intriguing contest at AAMI Stadium as Port Adelaide host the Sydney Swans. Join us from 2.10pm AEST for live scores and commentary, and have your say throughout the match.
Eight months ago, you looked at Port Adelaide and thought, “What will happen to this rabble?”
Over the summer, there has been some culling, some strengthening, and some hard toil. As a result, Port Power looks as if it’s back on its feet.
In round one they held a big lead against St Kilda and then hung on when challenged late. In round two, on the road, they pushed Essendon all afternoon, and almost came away with a gutsy win.
Today is a very good test. We’ll see how important Robbie Gray is to the line-up, as he returns this week after a hamstring injury. We’ll see how well their midfield can perform. We’ll see whether or not the passion has returned.
Last week I mentioned the Swans are a good chance to find themselves 4-0 by the end of next week.
But this week is a little tricky, with this being their first game on the road. They’ve played both games so far in Sydney (one at ANZ Stadium, the other at the SCG).
Now, I know their win last week against Fremantle was impressive without Shane Mumford in the side. And I know the Swans have won four of their last five against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
But for some reason, I have a little apprehension picking them as a certainty.
I sense there might be a slight letdown this week in terms of their performance. And playing on the road, if you slip up, it’s magnified.
As extra motivation, it’s important day for the Sydney Swans, with Adam Goodes going level on most games played at the club with Michael O’Loughlin.
Today is game number 303 for the Brownlow Medallist, a career that coincidentally started against Port Adelaide in round one 1999.
Win on the road by a decent margin and the Swans will prove themselves to be a true top-eight side, and quite possibly a team who could bash down the door of the top four.
I think we’re in for a bit of fun this afternoon. Join the conversation as we bring you all the important moments from Port Adelaide versus Sydney at AAMI Stadium, from 2.10pm AEST.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
So the Sydney Swans are now 3-0 and already look like a serious top four threat. Port Adelaide could be a danger side at home though throughout the year. Thanks for joining me today. I'll be back again tomorrow to bring you action from the MCG as Hawthorn host Adelaide as it happens.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – Sydney 16.9 105 def. Port Adelaide 12.11 83 Goalscorers PA - Daniel Stewart 3, Justin Westhoff 2, Brad Ebert 2, Jay Schulz 2, Matthew Broadbent 1, Matt Thomas 1, Jacob Surjan 1 Syd - Lewis Jetta 3, Adam Goodes 2, Craig Bird 2, Ryan O'Keefe 2, Jesse White 2, Jarrad McVeigh 1, Jude Bolton 1, Shane Mumford 1, Sam Reid 1, Ben McGlynn 1 Player Stats Daniel Hannebery (Syd) 15 kicks, 21 handballs, 13 contested possessions, 5 clearances Luke Parker (Syd) 12 kicks, 18 handballs, 17 contested possessions, 8 clearances, 10 score involvements Josh Kennedy (Syd) 11 kicks, 16 handballs, 18 contested possessions, 7 tackles, 8 clearances Domenic Cassisi (PA) 11 kicks, 15 handballs, 16 contested possessions, 7 tackles, 10 clearances, 9 score involvements Team Stats Disposals: PA 381-334; Contested Possessions: Syd 146-141; Disposal Efficiency: Level 74%-74%; Tackles: Syd 65-50; Clearances: Syd 42-36; Inside 50's: Syd 53-39; Scores from Turnovers: PA 5.8 38, Syd 8.5 53
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – Sydney 16.9 105 def. Port Adelaide 12.11 83 Luke Parker had a lot of impact today as well. For Port Adelaide, there's still a lot of positives to come from today's game. If it weren't for the lapse for 15 mins in the final quarter, they could have caused a fair upset today. I suppose that will happen with a side that hasn't had much success of late. But, Dom Cassisi, Jackson Trengove, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett and Matthew Broadbent all put in solid efforts today. Stats to come...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – Sydney 16.9 105 def. Port Adelaide 12.11 83 A gutsy win by the Swans today. They were challenged in the third quarter by a determined Port Adelaide outfit. But, the likes of Goodes, Kennedy, Malceski and Jetta helps them keep their 100% record.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:50 left – PA 12.11 83 Syd 16.9 105 Kieren Jack a chance to put some icing on the cake for the Swans in the last minute of the game. But stays to the left.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:48 left – PA 12.11 83 Syd 16.8 104 Chad Wingard showed some good fight in Q3, but has been quiet this quarter. He spots up Matt Thomas, who goes back and kicks a consolation goal.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:37 left – PA 11.11 77 Syd 16.8 104 Daniel Stewart - ripper grab in the goal square! Beat four players for that one - he was third in line. Goes back and kicks the goal for Port Adelaide
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:14 left – PA 10.11 71 Syd 16.8 104 And now Jarrad McVeigh adds to the rout in this final quarter for the Swans. They've powered away here. Looked like it could have been an arm wrestle early in Q4, but Sydney's looked very strong.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:18 left – PA 10.11 71 Syd 15.8 98 Every post has to be a winner from here for Port Adelaide. They've got themselves a 50m penalty. Westhoff to the pocket... knocked away and out of bounds. Cleared from the Swans. Goodes kicks to open space in the forward 50... oh no - Cameron O'Shea tries to clear the ball... but clears back into the corridor! Pounced on by Lewis Jetta - that's his third and that's the ball game!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:20 left – PA 10.11 71 Syd 14.8 92 Shane Mumford with the leap... then the gather... then the high tackle free kick. This to almost kill the game - straight through for a goal. Tough now for the Power.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:50 left – PA 10.11 71 Syd 13.8 86 Kicking efficiency in Quarter Four for Port Adelaide's below 50%... and it's definitely showing. Another bad turnover in their defensive 50... thankfully, it's only rushed through for a behind to the Swans.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:50 left – PA 10.11 71 Syd 13.7 85 Port Power defend okay. Martin Mattner goes to the ground heavily after a marking contest against Jay Schulz... but he's back on his feet now. Craig Bird gets a free kick across half back
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:20 left – PA 10.11 71 Syd 13.7 85 Kick forward by Hamish Hartlett misses to the right for a behind. Now the Swans sprint forward.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:23 left – PA 10.10 70 Syd 13.7 85 Poor work from Cameron O'Shea. Over runs the ball as the only defender back for the Power. Goodes, pounces on the error, handballs to O'Keefe. That could be one nail in the coffin
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:41 left – PA 10.10 70 Syd 12.7 79 Instant reply! Sam Reid handballs to Adam Goodes. The centre clearance crucial there for the Swans.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:02 left – PA 10.10 70 Syd 11.7 73 Robbie Gray with a twist, then kick toward Schulz... but drops it... now Danyle Pearce in the pocket centres the ball nicely to Daniel Stewart. Plays on and kicks the goal! Margin back to 3 points. Meanwhile, at the MCG today, Richmond has beaten Melbourne by 59 points.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:54 left – PA 9.10 64 Syd 11.7 73 A chance for the Power to reload. Free kick on the wing to Matthew Broadbent. Inside 50, but rebounded well by the Swans.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:52 left – PA 9.10 64 Syd 11.7 73 Cameron O'Shea just onto the ground for Port Adelaide. Subbed on for Alipate Carlile with quad soreness. Good grab from Sam Reid for Sydney! Kieren Jack had to be precise with the kick... just over the top of Trengove. Made tough work of it, but Reid kicks a huge goal!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:00 left – PA 9.10 64 Syd 10.7 67 Matt Thomas gets the crumbs from a marking contest at the half forward flank, centres to Brad Ebert! He will kick from 50m out... comes back... but not enough - hits the post!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:50 left – PA 9.9 63 Syd 10.7 67 Kieren Jack with a high ball to the teeth of the goals. Adam Goodes snaps the ball high... Gary Rohan almost runs onto that kick... but hits the goal post. Behind to the Swans