Port Adelaide's attack on the football and the man was simply relentless for the whole match. After Collingwood kicked the first two goals of the game, the Power strangled them with pressure and tackling around the ball. The Magpies simply couldn't break through and always seemed to have no time to dispose of the ball. It was Port's midfield defence that won them the game. They created the turnovers at halfback and through the midfield, allowing Justin Westhoff and Jay Schulz to do the rest up forward with three goals apiece. The Power also dominated the contested possessions, winning the count by 14. They finished strongly for a resounding win and have now won the first two games of their so-called month from hell.
2. Miserable Magpies
Collingwood has been hurt by injuries all year but tonight they went in as favourites and were beaten by a team that wanted it more. Tireless games from Paul Seedsman, Scott Pendlebury and Luke Ball aside, the Pies were completely outplayed by the Power. Dayne Beams and Darren Jolly will be big inclusions when they're back but Nathan Buckley will have to rejuvenate his team if they want to be more than just making up the numbers in September.
3. Wingard is worth a tag
Power young gun Chad Wingard has been one of Port's standouts in just his second season and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley took notice. He sent his main tagger Brent Macaffer to Wingard in a huge sign of respect. Macaffer was on top early but Wingard still proved a handful in the first half, getting forward to kick two goals. He finished with 21 touches while Macaffer had 16. Wingard won the battle, which is a great sign for the 19-year-old because he'll be the target of plenty of tags for years to come.
4. Swan was nothing like a Dane
Collingwood champion Dane Swan wasn't his usual self at AAMI Stadium. Despite not being tagged, he only had 11 possessions in the first half and just couldn't get himself into the game. Buckley then sent Swan up forward after half-time and he did manage a score involvement but his impact was limited. He finished the game with 23 possessions - well down on his average of 31.
5. Port's finals hopes are alive again
After Port won the first five games of the season, an unlikely trip to the finals became a real possibility. Then they lost the next five and it all seemed a pipe-dream. But after the bye the Power are playing like a September side again. They were desperate to make sure last week's big win over the Swans wasn't a once-off and they did that in stunning style against Collingwood. Essendon (away) and Hawthorn (at AAMI Stadium) round out their tough month but if they play like the past two weeks they're a real chance against the Bombers, at least. At 8-5 and seventh on the ladder, they just need to beat one more side above them and take care of the teams below them and they'll end a five-year finals drought.
