Going into Round 8 this was arguably the game of the week, and it certainly delivered.
Fremantle travelled to Adelaide undermanned, with Zac Dawson and Luke McPharlin withdrawals from the side that beat the Eagles.
Tom Jonas came out of the Power’s side with groin soreness.
Before the teams ran out onto the ground, the injury ledger was evened up as Port’s crucial ruckman Matthew Lobbe was a late withdrawal with calf soreness. Brent Renouf was the inclusion as many Supercoaches changed their captain’s choice to Aaron Sandilands.
Many thought that Sandiland’s possible stoppage domination may gift Fremantle a victory at Adelaide Oval.
The first quarter was an immediate indicator of how the rest of the match would play out. It was a hot footy as bodies crashed into each other. Milestone man Jay Schulz kicked the first goal of the game. Nathan Fyfe looked as if he could be the game breaker for the Dockers but Port Adelaide still went into the first break leading by seven points.
The 2013 grand finalists dominated the second quarter. Their pressure was too much for Port coach Ken Hinkley’s men to handle. This was clear when Zac Clarke tackled Hamish Hartlett only for Stephen Hill to snatch the ball and run into an open goal.
Paul Duffield may be under the scrutiny of the match review panel after executing a high late bump on Chad Wingard. Having numbers around the ball at all stages of the second term assisted Fremantle to be leading by 10 points at half time.
The third term was an upgraded version of the first, as there was an eruption of scores for a game which only had ten goals at half time. In the third quarter seven goals were scored between both teams.
Port Adelaide managed to break through Ross Lyon’s men’s pressure from the second quarter and the Power was back to their free-flowing running game. Chad Wingard was the one to spark Port Adelaide back to life with three third-term goals.
Fremantle won crucial contests to keep the lead throughout the term, which kept themselves on top of Port Adelaide going into the final quarter by less than a goal.
Then Ken Hinkley took a gamble, subbing out the Power’s only natural ruckman – Brent Renouf – to inject another midfielder’s pace into the game.
The Power once again affirmed why they are one of fittest teams in the competition, if not the fittest. Port Adelaide kicked the first five goals of the last quarter and it was party time at the ‘Portress’ when Chad Wingard placed his entry for mark of the year, leaping over Alex Silvagni and Lee Spurr.
The Dockers were trailing beyond thirty points at one stage but two late goals from Zac Clarke and Fyfe brought it back to end the game at a three goal margin.
Both Schulz and Pavlich were kept to one goal each, other danger men Hayden Ballantyne and Angus Monfries were kept scoreless.
It was the masterclass act from Chad Wingard (5 goals, 17 disposals) that proved too much for Fremantle in the end.
Nathan Fyfe was easily the Docker’s best with two goals and 34 touches at 76.5 per cent efficiency. Lachie Neale’s purple patch continued with 28 disposals. David Mundy’s performance proved why he is currently hot property and Michael Johnson and Tendai Mzungu were also great in defence, having 21 marks between them.
For the Power, Jackson Trengove rose to the occasion, providing great support in the ruck and doing some crucial defensive acts to keep Fremantle’s scoring limited. Ollie Wines and Kane Cornes were great in the midfield – Wines provided vital clearances while Cornes’ work around the ball was impressive. Justin Westhoff ended his poor form drought and Jarman Impey played his best AFL game. Aaron Young once again made an impact as a sub with multiple score involvements.
Power: 2.4 4.8 8.10 13.16 (94)
Dockers: 1.3 6.6 9.9 11.10 (76)
Goals
Port Adelaide: Wingard (5), Mitchell, White (2), Schulz, Wines, Young, Pittard (1)
Fremantle: Clarke (3), Suban, Fyfe (2), de Boer, Pavlich, Hill, Mayne (1)
Best
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Cornes, Wines, Mitchell, Gray, Trengove, Carlile
Fremantle: Fyfe, Sandilands, Mundy, Mzungu, Johnson, Neale, de Boer
Injuries
Port Adelaide: Matthew Lobbe (calf) late omission, replaced by Brent Renouf
Fremantle: Nil
Substitutes
Port Adelaide: Brent Renouf replaced by Aaron Young at three-quarter time
Fremantle: Stephen Hill for Clancee Pearce in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Official crowd: 38,234 at Adelaide Oval
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Port Adelaide has been hit by injuries just not a lot of their best, 4 players on the long term injury list.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
C'mon last week Hartlett and Carlisle came down with GWSitis, that somehow affects players due a chop out.
swanny
Guest
Freo actually played pretty good footy, just shows everyone how good port is that even Freo almost at there best cannot beat them. Can't wait for big games over next 2 weeks Freo V Geelong (Pavs 300th) and Port V Hawks (top of the table clash). Huge games of footy
JD
Guest
"not lost more than 1 of their best 22 players at the same time" lol what? Port played without two of their most important players on Saturday - Jonas and Lobbe, Last week they played without Carlile and Hartlett What about when Monfries and Wingard missed at the same time? This myth that Port has had no injuries is just another excuse people are looking for to not give them any credit.
Dockersfan
Guest
Not surprised at all. They've had 1 or 2 injuries all year and not lost more than 1 of their best 22 players at the same time. They've had plenty of rest, not a single 6 day break and only played 2 top 8 sides, both at home with those sides having played their derbies and had 6 day breaks coming into the game. It will be interesting to see if they can handle an injury or two, as they will come and also whether they can play the top sides well rested - like Hawks after the bye, Collinwood after that or Freo at the end of the year.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
I thought this was some of Freo's best football for 3 qtrs that may be why the Power looked lackluster; a grand finalist was showing signs of premiership football. I agree that Port's defensive pressure wasn't great at times in Fremantle's attacking 50 and in the corridor but on the wings it was exceptional.
Michael huston
Guest
They are terrific stats to have indeed, but there were times when Freo got some easy goals and possessions. If it were a more attacking side, they would have punished port for their lack of pressure. But it was only at times, and like I said, it was my first time watching them so they may usually be more intense.
Radelaide
Guest
You'd be surprised but going into this round they have the number 3 defense in the league and the number 2 attack, they are stats that will take you deep into September.
Michael huston
Guest
First time I've actually watched Port Adelaide and was mighty impressed. They turned on some dazzling forward running I only thought Hawthorn, Sydney, Geelong and Collingwood could do. It's fair to say most of us under-estimated them. Whether they'll be able to compete with the elite when the elite are at their best is another question. I just noticed Port don't have much of a defensive side to their game. It worked against a lacklustre attack such as Freo's but could falter against Hawthorn or Sydneys for example. But at this point, with the massive improvement and skills on show, Port don't have anything to prove.
Axle an the guru
Guest
I think its time people started to give Port Adelaide a bit of credit instead of expecting them to taper off. There performances are showing they are serious contenders and deserve to be on top of the ladder. They play good attacking football that is about kicking goals, which is what wins games and is good to watch. It wouldnt surprise me if they are one of the sides that play off.
Radelaide
Guest
I just love the way we can have injuries and the replacements are just as good as the ones that are out, that is what gives me true confidence that we can make a GF...that and the PORTRESS!!! of POWER.