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Well, hands up all those who saw that coming? Hands down Port Adelaide fans, and I’m tipping there won’t be too many limbs still in the air.
I know some suggested the ‘post-Hawthorn blockbuster effect’ might have an impact on the Cats, and their record in post-Hawks clashes is nothing flash, but, considering what I witnessed last week, I just thought they would turn up and win again.
Maybe that’s what some Cats thought too, but yesterday afternoon they would have joined their fans and most of the competition in receiving a reality check about just how good Port Adelaide are.
Wins over Carlton, Brisbane, and old foe Adelaide were good, but didn’t really impress non-believers, particularly when combined with a disappointing loss to North Melbourne. A big win in Perth against the Eagles made many take notice, but this upcoming month – when Port play Geelong, Fremantle and Hawthorn – was always going to say a lot about them.
One down in stunning fashion, and two to go.
The 40-point hammering of the Cats not only sent the Power to the top of the ladder after six rounds, but stamped them as legitimate premiership contenders.
Led by the likes of inspirational skipper Travis Boak, his deputy Brad Ebert, Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard, ruckman Matthew Lobbe and the seasoned Kane Cornes, Port were methodical in their demolition of the previously unbeaten Cats, a team that themselves became flag favourites to many only last Monday when they beat Hawthorn.
Furthermore, it was a win to end what had been a brutal domination, the Cats having won the last 10 in a row. It’s a huge credit to coach Ken Hinkley who took the Power from a rabble in 2012 to a September team in 2013, and now to a group poised to take the next step.
In his first season with Port, the former Cats player and assistant saw his side edge closer to the better teams, culminating in a 16-point loss to Geelong in last year’s finals, and he conceded there would be no excuses if they couldn’t match it with the Cats yesterday.
There was no need for excuses. Judging by what we saw this weekend, I’ll be camped in front of the TV on May 24 to see if they can do it again to the reigning premiers.
On form Port will still be top in three weeks’ time, after games against GWS and then at home against Fremantle, while the Hawks are expected to be sitting on seven wins and one loss after meeting St Kilda and an inconsistent Sydney.
While the Hawks have been remarkable in their wins, they were well beaten by Geelong.
For Port, it will be the next test. And all season there will be new tests – not just Hawthorn, but Sydney in the Harbour City, Collingwood in Melbourne, and Fremantle in Perth.
While the tests continue, Port will continue to fly under the proverbial radar. Come September, who knows where they will find themselves? If yesterday’s form is anything to go by, they will be sitting inside the top four, and from there anything can happen.
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