Essendon became the first team to defeat Port Adelaide on Sunday in 2017 as new recruit Jake Stringer booted for goals.
Final score
Essendon 16.10.106
Port Adelaide 12.12.84
Round 4 continues from the Docklands as the Essendon Bombers host the Port Adelaide Power. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 1:10pm (AEST).
After a big offseason, adding experience and talent at the trade table, big things were expected of the Bombers in 2018. Two disappointing losses have taken some of the steam out of the early season.
In fact, the media reaction to their admittedly poor display against the Dogs last week has probably been a bit over the top.
Port Adelaide, on the other hand, are sitting pretty as the league’s only undefeated team.
Mind you, they did it tough last week at home to the fast-finishing Lions, just holding on to win by five points.
But while the two sides might have had different fortunes in the season so far, nevertheless this looks like an intriguing contest.
Travelling and beating good teams proved too much for the Power last season, and while they’ve already had a commendable victory at the SCG, they’d be keen not to fall back into bad habits.
Port have been strong across the ground so far this season, with the ruck probably the sole area of real concern.
They would, however, like to get a bit more out of key forward Charlie Dixon, who has had an indifferent start to the year.
For their part, the Bombers have had a bit of trouble in the middle of the ground, where young star Zac Merrett has struggled since copping a heavy knock in round one.
At selection, Essendon are forced to make do without the suspended Conor McKenna, while Matt Guelfi comes in for his debut.
Port Adelaide lose Sam Powell-Pepper to a club-imposed suspension, while Dom Barry is dropped. Karl Amon comes in for his first game of the year and former Sun Trent McKenzie makes his debut for his new team.
Prediction
Surely Essendon will put out something better this afternoon than they did last week. At home, they’re always a chance.
But the Power’s form is much better, and they’d be expected to have an advantage in the middle of the ground.
Port Adelaide by 12 points.
Sammy
Guest
The brisbane result last week is a bit of a tell tale..missing 1 1st choice player they just won at home last week against a winless team that was annihilated by richmond yesterday. The then had to play a wounded essendon on the fast etihad deck and they were outworked. Not alarm bells yet but concerns for sure just like my team has after getting bellted this weekend
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Ports pressure on the ball carrier was the most concerning aspect of today, to many easy kicks to Essendon coming from the back half with a port player 15m off their man. Rockliff needs a rest, bugger all disposals, some soft attempted tackles, terrible decisions and bad kicking should see him back in the ressie's for a week or two, McKenzie played to loose on his man and cost us a couple of goals due to a lack of pressure. Port really missed Powell-pepper today, much more than I expected them to, his physical pressure on the inside was sorely missed, just his ability to make the ball carrier wonder where he is greatly benefits the Power. Robbie Gray was awesome, he is an absolute superstar, so glad he plays for us, Watts was good as was Wines, Marshall, Wasthoff and Wingard, these players prevented the score from blowing out, I'm pretty happy they fought it out to the end, it showed some grit and in a close season might be important. Overall, Essendon's desperation and work rate beat Port today, they worked harder defensively and exposed Ports lack of work rate, the Dons pressure caused Port to panic and turn the ball over, they probably should have won by more, but Port fought it out and will look to correct some skill errors and get some defensive pressure back next week.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Kenny can't kick the ball for them in fairness, some shocking disposal errors caused by the pressure from the Bombers.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Not an acceptable excuse. Good teams win no matter what the conditions are.
Katherine
Guest
Port Adelaide's first 3 games were played in 30C + weather during the day. I think that has taken some run out of their legs. Their skills were poor though today.
TomC
Roar Guru
Match report The Bombers have overcome the Power by 22 points after a determined performance at the Docklands. Essendon started with a great deal of intensity and commitment, possibly stung by some of the media criticism during the week. They outworked Port Adelaide throughout the first quarter, swarming them at contests and denying them easy ball use, to grab a three goal lead at quarter time. The second quarter began similarly to the first, with Essendon outworking a listless Port Adelaide and further extending their lead. The Power eventually found their rhythm, at least in the middle of the ground, but struggled at times to find composure in front of goal. At half time, the Bombers held a lead just shy of five goals. In the third quarter both sets of players seemed to struggle with the impact of a sapping first half. The Bombers found space a little more easily, assisted by some bad errors by the Power defenders, and pushed the margin out to forty points midway through the term. But the Power weren't quite done yet. Four goals in a row from late in the third term to the beginning of the fourth brought the margin back to manageable territory. It was a short-lived hope though; a brilliant goal from Stringer – his fourth - appeared to arrest the momentum, and Essendon did enough to hang on for a hard fought win. This was largely a victory for hard work. From the beginning the Bombers clearly put everything they had into the contest, sometimes but generally not at the cost of composure. While they didn't run the game out quite at the same level they certainly deserved the win today. Hurley, Heppell, Merrett and Zaharakis were busy throughout the game. Goddard's composure was important late. Stewart was impressive as a key forward target. Perhaps the biggest story of the game was Jake Stringer's four goals. He played more in the forwardline today and looked much more at home, though admittedly there were some soft ones in that tally. The visitors will be disappointed to have blotted their copybook with this loss, their first of the season. Particularly to have been outworked in the way they were. Robbie Gray was head and shoulders their best player, combining ball-winning ability with natural class. Polec also continued his good start to the year, while Jack Watts kicked three goals. This restores Essendon's win loss record to parity; important for a side with finals aspirations. Perhaps more importantly, the result should give them the confidence that appeared to be lacking in the previous two rounds.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
You deserve every question that will be asked of you this week Port.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Yep, and he was the right guy for them at the time. He's not anymore.
TomC
Roar Guru
That's full time. Essendon 16.10.106 Port Adelaide 12.12.84
TomC
Roar Guru
I remember where they were before Hinkley.
TomC
Roar Guru
Two and a half minutes to play as the Bombers go forward again. Green at half forward waits for Stringer to make a move, and the former Dog marks in the forward pocket. Stringer however misses badly, failing to score.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
I would be quite happy if I woke up tomorrow to news that Ken Hinkley had been fired. It's a premiership list with a D-Grade coach.
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL PORT Bonner gets on the end of some good counterattacking work by this teammates, with Westhoff feeding it to the rising star candidate about 40 from goal. Essendon 106 Port 83
TomC
Roar Guru
Merrett is caught high with minimal contact, and dramatically throws himself to the ground in a rather shameless attempt to win a cheap free. You hate to see that. Really bad look.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
To get outworked by a team as showy and soft as Essendon is very concerning.
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL ESSENDON A long kick forward by the Bombers finds the space at the back, where McDonald-Tipungwuti can run onto it. He gathers, and quickly snaps it through for a major. Essendon 106 Port 77
TomC
Roar Guru
Wow, the standard has dropped away terribly in the final minutes of the game. Most possessions are missing targets right now. 5 minutes to play.
TomC
Roar Guru
I think they are two tired teams out there right now. No getting away from the reality that the Bombers have outworked Port today though. Something Hinkley will no doubt let the players know about during the week.
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL PORT The Power work it across half forward, and eventually Motlop spots a good lead by Watts. Watts from 45m out kicks a good goal. Essendon 99 Port 75 7 minutes of play left.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
This is very disappointing. I expected us to lose, but not with this lack of effort around the contest.