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.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
If Port keep this run with (no) injuries up, I reckon other clubs would be seeing if they could do the shifty and knock off Burgess' IP on fitness. At this point he seems a fair street ahead of any other fitness staff in the AFL.
Lightning Jim
Guest
" WCE didn’t put up much of a fight." ???? You obviously didn't watch the game Penster. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at Port.
shiftyxr
Guest
so your saying Geelong used all their mental energy against the Hawks n couldn't back it up?
Penster
Guest
WA would be disappointed with last few games. More scoring shots than Port and still lost. I don't think the decisions were designed to get a win for Carlton tho.
Penster
Guest
No, the "hangover" is the post high blues, of beating a rival followed by dropping the ball the following week. Conversely, Hawthorn were very hard to beat this round, coming off a loss to Geelong.
Barneythecrab
Guest
Crows supporter here. Port are def the team to beat. Gave Geelong a lesson in how they wish they could play. Also showed the comp how to beat Geelong. Push Tom Hawkins off his game, pressure the young boys carrying the footy and don’t worry too much bout the old farts.
Radelaide
Guest
As a neutral of that game I watched the last 15 minutes of the WC Carlton game on replay and 3 'wrong calls' Touhy mark and Nic Nat high being the worst went Carltons way that all of them resulted in the come back goals. Garry Lyon pointed out that WC made a couple of mistakes but people in Melbourne are concerned a weak Carlton is bad for business I guess AFL is not so much different from world soccer.
Penster
Guest
If the Hawks had won the Geelong clash last week I'd have tipped Richmond as the upset this week. WCE didn't put up much of a fight.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Port might win the flag for the first time since 2004.
Ryan
Guest
I dont really understand why your so defensive about port. I gave full credit for the geelong victory, but have not put much weight on wins over sides outside the 8 as argument for there premiership contention; which i think is fair enough. Draw, injuries and form are all key factors in success and port has had a good run; fact. They are playing well and are undeniably a finals team, but if you think they dont have a few things to prove than i think you need to take that power scarf off and have a decent look.
Franko
Guest
"Bryce Gibbs will be playing for Port next year, mark it down" I don't see it happening. With Hartlett (23), Boak (25), Ebert (24), Polec (21), Wines (19), Moore (22), Wingard (20) and Broadbent (23) in mid or half back, why would you pay top $$$ for Gibbs (25) when he adds next to nothing on the aforementioned. If he goes, the Crows will pay top dollar for him, it would be great PR for them to bring home the son of a Glenelg 'great' and 'the one who got away'.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Here's a tip for everyone on here. Bryce Gibbs will be playing for Port next year, mark it down.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
The article was, and then came the inevitable excuses, Hawks hangover, Port have no injuries, their depth will be tested blah blah blah, this was not a response to the article but to the bloggers commenting and trying to justify why Geelong let us win, when simply, we out played them. In our SANFL team we have O'shea, Neade, Colqhoun, Butcher, Redden (injured) Heath (injured) Stevenson (injured) Mitchell and Newton, all Afl standard players, as well as Monfries, so there's the depth. The reason we are nearly at full strength is because we have the best fitness coach in the business, so how people figure that's an excuses I have no idea. We have an amazing coach that has us playing a great style of footy that should hold up come September. The doubters keep on doubting, Port keeps on winning, how long before some (not all!) folk actually give credit where it's due?
shiftyxr
Guest
the Hawks were coming off a " Geelong Hangover" and how many wins on the trot and still managed to get up so your excuse is really invalid
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Agree but Power are the story. Just fly under the radar like we always do and lets go for it. In all honesty, I tipped Power and was happy to see them back up a lot of support from fans and others who believed they could get the win. Many of my family tipped the Power, genuinely believing they could do it. Like others, wish the rest of the tips were as accurate.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I have to admit, the mention of North as a premiership contender gave me a bit of a chuckle as well.
Rising Power
Guest
It's not a choke if you're not even trying to win haha!
Rob McLean
Guest
And there it is, a Port Adelaide supporter typically going the chip on the shoulder, us against them routine. This whole article is about you not flying under the radar any more. You are definitely not flying under the radar any more and if any insular observers thought that was still the case, yesterday awoke them.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Port announced themselves as a 2014 title contender last year.
Franko
Guest
I am sure there are statistics around backing up the argument that most sides struggle the week after going to the West??? Both sides have tough games the week prior, both now have games they'd expect to win with comfort this week.