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.
Port went into this match as heavy favourites, a title that has been the bane of plenty of sides this year, but it was clear from the outset that the Power weren’t going to drop this one.
Their run and spread from the backline, working hard to suffocate the Roos’ attempted forward forays before sprinting the other way to move the ball smoothly for attacks of their own, was again sensational, showing up the Roos for their lack of pace, and their passing sliced the opposition open time and again.
After kicking six goals to one in the opening ten minutes, the Power largely took the foot off the pedal, save for a period of great dominance early in the third quarter.
They did enough to keep themselves well in front and on track for a dominant win, but the ferocious pressure they exhibited early faded, and that combined with some spirited work from midfielder Ben Cunnington (33 touches, including a staggering 26 contested), and Ben Brown (3 goals) prevented the blowout that looked imminent.
Chad Wingard was superb early with three goals to his name by quarter time, and while a fourth never arrived, he finished with 30 touches to be one of his side’s best.
Justin Westhoff was brilliant as well, with 27 touches and a swathe of goal assists, but really, this was as consummate a team performance as you will see.
Nobody was beaten, and everybody contributed. Even Robbie Gray, shut down by Roos second-gamer Daniel Nielson up forward, finished with a pair of goals, and could have had more but for some woeful kicking for goal.
Does this answer any questions at all about either side? Not in the least. Port Adelaide showed again they are ruthless in dispatching lesser sides, while the Roos are clearly in rebuild mode.
A pair of injuries to youngsters Mitchell Hibberd (shoulder) and Corey Wagner (ankle) hurt in that regard, and with Jack Ziebell, Lindsay Thomas and Shaun Higgins also walking wounded, it could be a nervous wait for team selection this week for Roos fans.
We have learned to expect the unexpected this year. This match was pretty much exactly what most people thought would happen. And in 2017, that itself was unexpected.
powa
Guest
lets see if north can convince Paul Roos to fix them up
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Good solid win by the Power, I like the fact that the work is being shared with very few passengers. Impey and Atley may likely go out next week with Broadbent and Amon returning to the side, with these two in, or one of these two and Impey Port will have a their best 22 on the park. I say Impey due to a form slump, he's a great player though and would I suspect dominate the SANFL and perhaps get some confidence back if he did a couple of weeks in the two's. Robbie Gray needs to learn how to kick for goal, misses like the few easy set shots he missed today will bite come finals time, he doesn't appear to kick through the ball consistently, when he's outside about 45m he'll kick through the ball and is reasonably accurate, but put him inside 40 and he pokes at it, could have kicked 50 already this year and had one of the greatest quarters in the modern era earlier in the year vs The Blues, shame, he should still be an AA lock along with Eddie in the pockets this year. Three tricky weeks to come now, Melb away, St Kilda at home then the showdown, I'm confident we'll get two out of three and all three are winnable, from there, top 4 beckons, hopefully Adelaide finish top and Port finish 4th, what a cracking game that would be, The race for top spot is still open though, who knows. Must keep those Bloody Swans out of the top 4!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Yep.
TFR
Roar Rookie
I Can not see any upside for north at the moment with Scott at the helm the team have given up and the game plan doesn't work. Look at the teams that are rebuilding Carlton Brisbane you can see that they are trying hard but just don't have the games under there belt. North need to get rid of Scott
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
People are genuinely suggesting that?!
Swannies
Guest
Scott has conned North that he has a plan for the future but is using this to buy time. Keeps harping on about the future but clearly has no answers to turn things around. Once 2018 continues the downward slide he'll be off leaving a sinking ship. Will take a Barrasi-like coach to turn things around.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It dumbfounds me that some people are suggesting Scott replace Buckley.