Port Adelaide have finished their regular season off with a crushing win over the Gold Coast Suns by 115 points.
The win propels them into the top four and boosts their chances at a double chance, while Gold Coast end their disappointing season with their biggest loss of the year.
Under the bright lights of Adelaide Oval in front of a near capacity the Power came out strong in the first quarter booting the first goal thanks to a goal from Charlie Dixon.
The Suns replied not long after with their first goal of the game in what was a tight first quarter.
Port took a two-point lead going into the break and it looked like they were going to have a fight on their hands.
However, the Power then completely dominated the Suns in the second quarter kicking seven goals to none. The Suns didn’t have a proper chance at scoring all quarter thanks to the Power’s strong pressure across the ground.
The quarter started with a bang for the Power who kicked the first goal of the quarter within the first minute of the quarter and didn’t relent for the remainder of the term.
Gold Coast struggled to break it into their forward 50 for the term and when they had their first real shot at goal the mark was overturned because of a downfield free kick, the free kick would eventually lead to the Power’s seventh goal of the term.
Travis Boak continued to lead the Power from the front collecting eight disposals in that quarter for a total of 18, Jarrod Harbrow lead the Suns in disposals with 17.
Port held the Suns scoreless for the second straight quarter and have managed to leap frog the Swans into fourth on the ladder. Sam Gray was a standout in the quarter kicking two early goals and putting the game well and truly out of reach for the Suns.
Gold Coast couldn’t keep possession during that quarter and committed 18 turnovers which resulted in seven scoring shots for the Power including four goals.
The Power kept the ball locked close to their forward 50 for the quarter and the few times that the Suns could break the line they were met by Power players who cut the ball off and rebounded instantly.
Chad Wingard hurt his ankle during the term but was able to play out the rest of the quarter.
The fourth quarter was no different to the previous two with Port Adelaide cruising away with the win. Gold Coast managed to score during the quarter kicking one goal and one behind but the Power continued to pile on the scoring.
Chad Wingard played out the game despite having a noticeable limp. Charlie Dixon also hurt himself late in the game but with the week off before the finals he may be fine for week 1.
For the Power it is now a nervous wait to see if the Tigers lose and they take that fourth spot on the ladder. Gold Coast will now look to the offseason and get their head coach role locked down as soon as possible.
Pelican
Guest
What is an even draw anyway you get alotted games based on last years form. Port are where they are meant to be. Whats to be bitter about Basil are you a Dees supporter.
Basil
Guest
Port take down another Titan… Where would they have really finished if their was an even draw?
Haydos
Guest
They can't bow out of finals in successive weeks. That makes no sense.
Sammy
Guest
Glenelg would have put up a far sterner test..in fact south adelaide u18's would have fought harder and been more skillful. You can only beat the team you play but wow..be very careful taking much out of that game other than when no pressure at all is applied port look good
Paul D
Roar Guru
Not for the first time on a day Brisbane delivered an embarrassing performance, the Suns redeemed us slightly by reminding us they are in fact just as bad. Right up there with our 179-38 game last year
Gyfox
Guest
The noise & atmosphere at this game was amazing despite the pathetic performance of the Suns. Port at home will be intimidating in the Finals. A Showdown final will be fascinating
mcmanpp
Roar Rookie
As a fan of neither club, this was a tough match to watch. In a season of close and unexpected finishes, the Suns put on a display so out of kilter with almost every other team in the competition that the AFL must seriously consider doing a major repair of the club. Even despite their injury list, the performance by the players on the field was woeful. From late in the first quarter, the Suns played over an hour of football without a score, not even a rushed or miskicked behind. Their workmate was poor, their chasing mediocre, their tackles half hearted, their wasted kicks into the forward line where none of their teammates were moving was brainless. Their movement by hand of the ball between themselves up the flanks looked like a three quarter pace slow motion training drill without a plan for what to do once they reached the half forward line. At one stage, I counted 5 successive dropped marks by Suns players from kick receives by their own team mates. No-one should overestimate the Port performance. I expect they will bow out of this finals series in successive weeks if they make the four. They may have restricted the Suns to four goals in China, and now 3 in Adelaide, but they were playing on opponents who played as if they didn’t want to be there.