2017 has been anything but ordinary, but a spot of normality returned at the Adelaide Oval as Port Adelaide notched up a completely by-the-numbers 70-point win over North Melbourne.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Port Adelaide Power 19.13.127
North Melbourne Kangaroos 8.9.57
With only percentage separating them from the seventh-placed St Kilda, the Port Adelaide Power will be looking to solidify their position in the top four when they host a luckless North Melbourne Kangaroos. Join The Roar for live scores, updates and highlights from 2:10pm (AEST).
The Power have recovered well from a disappointing run in 2015 and 2016 to be firmly in the premiership mix this year, but an asterisk next to their credentials has been their inability to defeat the better sides in the comp.
But last week a sublime 32-point win over West Coast at their Perth fortress affirmed that the Power have what it takes to defeat the very best sides in the competition.
Port face a difficult three weeks after this clash with the Roos, battling potential finals rivals Melbourne (away), St Kilda (home) and Adelaide, so banking four points here could prove crucial as the race for a coveted double chance grows more tightly contested by the week.
Unlike the Power, North Melbourne’s finals chances are shot, but while they sit 17th with just four wins to their name, a bit of luck and some composure late in their matches could have resulted in a very different story.
Last week’s 4-point loss to Fremantle was the Roos’ fifth loss this season by under a goal, and this one hurts more than most, with ruckman Todd Goldstein spurning a chance to retake the lead with just 20 seconds to go after spraying an easy set shot wide.
But the Roos made it clear in the pre-season that 2017 would be a rebuilding year, and the likes of Jy Simpkin, Daniel Nielson, Mitchell Hibberd and Declan Mountford have all shown signs they will be players of the future in their debut seasons.
And joining them in the blue and white this week will be 19-year old Cameron Zurhaar, who may have just passed the likes of Dangerfield, Bontempelli and Buzza for the title of “best last name in the AFL”.
Prediction
This season has become known for its staggering amount of tight contests and thrilling finishes, but this really shouldn’t be one of them.
Port Adelaide are at home, in good form, and know that a loss could be damaging to their finals position.
The Power have bigger fish to fry, and should be able to cruise home here. But in this crazy season, who knows?
Port Adelaide by 38 points
There will be milestone men at every turn at the Adelaide Oval, with Wines joined by 150-gamer Jackson Trengove and 50-gamer Sam Gray on the honours’ list, while star North Melbourne defender Robbie Tarrant also fronting up for his 100th senior match.
Will the Power celebrate their stars and make it an occasion to remember? Or will the Roos give Tarrant the party he deserves?
Tune into The Roar’s live coverage from 2:10pm AEST, and remember to leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Tim Miller
Editor
» Click here to read the full match report Well, that's it from me today. Port Adelaide triumphant by 70 points in one of the most predictable games we've seen in this wacky season. Be sure to tune into The Roar for our coverage of all tonight's footy. Until next time! Port Adelaide 19.13 (127) defeated North Melbourne 8.9 (57) by 70 points at the Adelaide Oval. GOALS Port Adelaide: S Gray 4, Wingard 3, R Gray 2, Trengove 2, Powell-Pepper 2, Westhoff, Wines, Dixon, Polec, Hartlett, White. North Melbourne: Brown 3, Atley 2, Higgins, Garner, Hrovat. BEST Port Adelaide: Westhoff, Wingard, Powell-Pepper, S Gray, Ryder, Dixon, Polec. North Melbourne: Cunnington, Brown, Nielson, Atley. INJURIES Port Adelaide: Ryder (ankle) North Melbourne: Hibberd (shoulder), Wagner (ankle).
Tim Miller
Editor
Port Adelaide: J. Westhoff, three votes. It was nearly impossible to split Wingard and Westhoff for best-on-ground status in my book, so my distinction is based on this: while Westhoff had fewer possessions, goals and contested touches, it seemed every goal the Power kicked early passed through him at some point. His disposal was sublime all day, particularly from the back half, and I lost count of the amount of times he found a player in space in midfield with a pinpoint pass that opened up the rest of the ground for Wingard and co. to run amok. 12 marks as well tells you of his aerial dominance. One of the most underrated players in the competition; he's been a star for about 4 years, and nobody's really realised it!
Tim Miller
Editor
Port Adelaide: C. Wingard, two votes. 30 touches, 18 contested possessions and 3 goals, all of which came in the first quarter when the match had to be won. The only question was whether Chad Wingard would receive two or three votes from me. I've given him two, but he could just as easily have got one more. He was a force to be reckoned with around the ground, taking strong marks, zooming through midfield and generally dictating terms. His fingerprints were all over this one. Is he making a late play for All-Australian status?
Tim Miller
Editor
Predictive Brownlow time! North Melbourne: B. Cunnington, one vote. Really the only reason North Melbourne stayed close was because of this guy. After the Roos' midfield brigade was dealt a thrashing early, it was Cunnington who almost single-handedly helped them break even, and therefore prevent the looming belting, from that point on. Finished with 33 touches, 8 tackles, and a staggering 26 contested possessions. It's odd that on a day in which Port and their midfield brigade dominated, it was Cunnington who was the best mid on the ground.
Tim Miller
Editor
McDonald receives a free on the half-back flank, and the siren sounds on another emphatic Port Adelaide victory over a lower-ranked side.
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE As the clock ticks down, Robbie Gray receives a free 30 out for a hold against Nielson. He streams in but misses badly to the right. They've certainly missed some more gettable shots in the second half. Port Adelaide 19.13 (127) North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Q4, 0.10 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Time ticking down on this one, but Mullett's attempted rebound sails out on the full to give the Power another chance to score. Under a minute to play.
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE Quick snap from the congestion from Ebert for a junk time special, but it hits the post. Port Adelaide 19.12 (126) North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Q4, 2.25 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Ollie Wines slices through the midfield like a knife through butter and sends it towards Gray. Good spoil by Nielson, but it comes off hands and Port are all over it, and Gray finds himself in space out the back. He marks, plays on, handballs over the top to Wingard who gives it in turn to Trengove, who hammers through his second from the goal line in game 150! Port Adelaide 19.11 (125) North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Q4, 3.03 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE Wingard takes a strong mark in front on the 50, he gives to Ebert who heads long towards Robbie Gray on Nielson, but it carries over their heads and bounces through for a behind. Port Adelaide 18.11 (119) North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Q4, 4.18 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Ryder iced up on the bench with that ankle complaint from earlier. Purely precautionary at this stage, I don't doubt.
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Port have the numbers inside 50, but they look like they might have stuffed it up as Wines is forced to kick in front of Robbie Gray in a sea of Roos, but he wins a free for a push in the back against Nielson. He chips inboard to his namesake, Sam. And from 30 on a slight angle, Gray makes no mistake! The sting's well and truly out of this one now. Port Adelaide 18.10 (118) North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Q4, 6.43 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND NORTH MELBOURNE Roos surge clear on the wing, long ball towards Brown, but it goes over his head and out the back, where the Roos have numbers. Ends with Higgins, but he's hemmed in on the boundary line, and his snap towards goal is across the face, and Polec makes sure of it by thumping it across the line as it's in the air. Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Q4, 8.00 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE Once again, Port Adelaide's attacking 50 is wide open, as Westhoff marks on the wing, gives to Hartlett, who finds Wingard goal side of his opponent just inside 50. His kick won't be a goal, but goes to the hot spot. Goldstein gathers, but Dixon intercepts, gives to Boak, who snaps across the face...WINGARD AGAIN! Stunning work, ran inside 50 and marked strongly in the pocket. But he can't cap off the play with a goal, pushing the snap across the face. Probably stuffed from working hard to get there in the first place. Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) North Melbourne 8.8 (56) Q4, 9.06 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND NORTH MELBOURNE McDonald marks as Ziebell kicks inboard on the wing and goes long-ish to the corridor, and Simpkin takes a strong mark. But his kick isn't as good, missing to the left from directly in front. Port Adelaide 17.9 (111) North Melbourne 8.8 (56) Q4, 10.50 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Injury alert: Corey Wagner's ankle iced up on the bench; he's done for the day. North down to two men on the bench with Hibberd out as well, and they have a few more walking wounded.
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Some training stuff from the Power as Ryder marks a Dixon ball on the forward flank, goes long to the hotspot, and Trengove outpoints Goldstein to mark strongly close to goal! He's 20 out, but his kick is absolutely horrendous. Horrendous. Slewed off the side of the boot and everything. But damningly, nobody was on the goal line, and as a result, it just squeezes home! Have a feeling someone might have touched that if they were on the line. Port Adelaide 17.9 (111) North Melbourne 8.7 (55) Q4, 13.08 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Super stuff from Charlie Dixon! From a throw in deep inside Port Adelaide's 50, Trengove scrubs a quick kick forward towards Dixon and Tarrant, Charlie has his back to the ball but is able to spike it upwards and mark the rebound! Sensational stuff from Dixon on a serious defender in Tarrant. From 20 on a slight angle, he makes no mistake, and finally, he has a goal today! Port Adelaide 16.9 (105) North Melbourne 8.7 (55) Q4, 14.07 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL NORTH MELBOURNE Two in a row for the Roos! With the game gone, the Roos are relishing the release of Port Adelaide pressure, and they gallop down the wing through Atley. Brown marks on the lead 60 out, turns, and finds Atley in the pocket, who continued to run hard! He steps around, opens the angle, and snaps it home! Lovely goal from Atley, his second, and probably the Roos' best passage of play for the day. Port Adelaide 15.9 (99) North Melbourne 8.7 (55) Q4, 15.11 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Impey gathers inside 50 and snaps towards goal, but it's offline and not long enough to make the distance in any event, and Thomas gets back to mark. He's again played in defence today, and he's been...okay, I suppose.