Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray has masterminded a 57-point belting of arch foes Adelaide in their AFL grudge match.
The Power produced a third-term battering of the Crows in their comprehensive 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The brilliant Gray engineered a five-goal burst in 11 minutes as Port replaced Adelaide in seventh spot on the ladder.
Gray collected 35 disposals, including 10 and four clearances in the third quarter blitz.
The Power led by three points at halftime against a wasteful Adelaide, who kicked 4.11 for the half.
Crows captain Taylor Walker then sank a long two-step snap within 15 seconds of the third quarter – ultimately Adelaide’s final goal of the game.
From then, the Power kicked nine consecutive goals in a spree triggered by ruckman Scott Lycett’s superb 40-metre goal on the gallop.
Lycett’s team-lifter was followed by first-year forward Connor Rozee springing to life with two goals as Port piled on five goals in 11 minutes.
Port’s three-time club champion Gray was instrumental, with Tom Rockliff (36 disposals) and co-captain Ollie Wines (33 disposals) forming a dominant midfield.
Riley Bonner (27 touches) and Darcy Byrne-Jones (31 possessions) offered great drive from defence and Justin Westhoff (23 disposals, one goal) was prominent.
Port’s Brad Ebert was superb with three goals in attack, alongside Sam Gray and Dougal Howard who kicked two apiece.
The Crows’ surrender before 50,544 spectators came despite the efforts of Matt Crouch (29 disposals), Brodie Smith (25 touches) and Rory Laird (25 possessions).
Captain Walker booted two goals but the Crows succumbed alarmingly easily in their second loss in a row.
Valentino
Roar Rookie
If Lynch and Curly are fit, I would drop Douglas and Atkins - both seem to be too soft.
Pelican
Roar Rookie
The Hoff looked hungry again the week in the seconds worked well. Ditto SPP. Ebert should wear the hat all the time he has been reborn. Sir Dougal is taking some nice grabs. How did we get Dursma Butters and Rozee in the same draft. Having Dixon back gives the younger forwards some space to operate. The horror run of injuries appears to have subsided. The loss to the Dogs doesn't look so bad after they took out the Cats. And why couldn't Freo have lemminged a week earlier, I was at that game. We certainly have the Parrots sqwauking. Consistently inconsistent is being said consistently. Learn some new words parroting is lazy.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Of course I can hear Pyke say our structures did not work. ---- It is about now that the Crows hierarchy have made their mind up. We won't be in the 8 with Pyke. Don't throw good money after bad.
Fraser Lamb
Guest
We all know young players are inconsistent and will not fire every week. Port from 2015-2018 couldn't beat top sides. This year they can and are the only team to beat both geelong and westcoast who sit first and second on ladder. Here's hoping Rozee/Duursma/Butters etc can become stars sooner rather than later and before Gray/Boak etc get too old.
Pelican
Roar Rookie
Port may not be predictable but the comments are.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Let's hope we can make finals and week 1 is an "on" week
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Who can ever read Port? Jekyll and Hyde side.