Heading into the last game of Round 3, Port Adelaide knew a win would see them climb to the top of the AFL ladder and they ground out another impressive victory – a 29-point win over Fremantle.
The Dockers started the better of the two sides and in fairness had the better of the Power in the opening term to lead by a single goal at the break.
Matt Taberner was lively up forward booting two goals in the opening term while Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters were winning plenty of the ball. However, after quarter time Port Adelaide staked their authority on the contest.
Todd Marshall and Charlie Dixon wreaked havoc up forward and Ollie Wines in his first game back from suspension was outstanding in the trenches.
The heavens opened in the second term and Port put the foot down. Fremantle were held scoreless while Port piled on 5.4 in trying conditions to take a stranglehold on the match, at one point the inside 50 count was 22-0 which is simply ridiculous but showed just how dominant Port were.
Charlie Dixon was a big presence up forward, clunking a number of strong contested marks in the wet along with Todd Marshall who continues to improve and show the Power faithful he is definitely one for the future.
Travis Boak and Ollie Wines lead from the front at stoppages, getting first use from Scott Lycett, while Zak Butters and Conor Rozee showed their flashes of brilliance throughout the contest as Port went into halftime with a commanding 28 point leading in wet weather.
The second half failed to live up to anything that resembled the first half with both sides only managing two goals apiece. Fremantle had their chances in the last quarter to get close to Port but could not convert their chances and Port ground out a 29-point win to go 3-0 to start the season.
The only sour note on the night was a serious hamstring injury to young winger Xavier Durrsma in the third quarter, otherwise it was a good night for the Power.
Travis Boak lead the way yet again with 26 disposals and a goal along with Ollie Wines (25 and a goal) to give Port control of the game in midfield.
Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff both finished with two goals and Todd Marshall continued to impress with a goal and although he only managed 10 disposals, he had a greater effect on the game than his stats would suggest.
Port had 10 more clearances, 23 more contested possessions, six more makes inside 50, a whopping 63 one percenters compared to Fremantle’s 39 and 21 more inside 50s to put their stamp on the competition.
The Power welcome West Coast next week, a true test of where they are at, but a 3-0 start is nothing to sneeze at and they will most likely start favourite too.
Finally, Ken Hinkley has his side playing consistent football and they sit atop of the ladder after three rounds.
Sterner tests await them this season where we will see if they have learnt from their past mistakes.
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