Brad Scott was keen to talk up young stopper Taylor Hine ahead of Saturday’s match, so it was some surprise when the 21-year-old was named as substitute for the must-win fixture in Hobart. The conventional wisdom was that Hine would take on one of Port’s talented midfield men –but as it was, Ryan Bastinac got the job on Hamish Hartlett and the rest of the Roos’ midfield generally out-hustled their opponent during the early exchanges as the Kangas set up a big lead by quarter time.
2. Power forwards?
The Power have put at least part of their successful start to the season down to allowing an average of just 77 points against during the first five rounds. On Saturday, the Roos brought up 50 points moments into the second term and looked likely to blow the average before half-time. As it was, Drew Petrie kicked his third goal to take North beyond the 77-point barrier midway through the third quarter, giving his side a 34-point lead and a real sniff of their second win this season.
3. Feeling appreciated?
Umpires don’t always get the praise they deserve, but at half-time in Hobart there wouldn’t have been a Kangaroos fan in the land with a bad word to say about the men in green. The Roos were awarded 21 free kicks during the first half – against just five for the Power – in an incredibly lop-sided count. It was 28-10 at the final change and it was worse for Port when Lindsay Thomas goaled from a free kick early in the last quarter. Don’t be surprised if there’s no thank you card from Alberton at umpire training this week – even though it was Umpire Appreciation Round across the league.
4. Comeback kings?
You just can’t write off Port Adelaide – that or the Roos still haven’t figured out how to kill a match. Either way, despite leading for most of the afternoon and looking comfortable midway through the final quarter, North Melbourne gave their fans a few nervous moments as the Power surged to within 10 points with two minutes left on the clock. It wasn’t to be for the South Australian outfit, but given their experience in coming from the clouds twice already this season it sure made for an interesting conclusion.
5. Tough fight under lights?
Not that the forecast was great, but no-one could have expected the Blundstone Arena lights to have been flicked on 50 minutes before the scheduled 2.10pm start. Strangely, they blazed all afternoon – even though bright sunshine washed over Bellerive throughout the match. Probably not a great look as far as environmentalists are concerned, but in the eyes of footy fans it was another spotlight on a hugely anticipated, hard-fought fixture between two honest sides whose seasons have been on different trajectories so far this year.
