On a warm afternoon, the Power’s youngsters admirably filled the void left by its absent senior players with their attack on the footy and willingness to run hard at all costs.
The win was set up by a superb seven-goal third quarter, in which the Power enjoyed almost complete control of the midfield with a 12-3 clearance advantage and a favourable inside 50 count of 16-6.
Coach Mark Williams was thrilled with his side’s performance after a difficult week off the field following the collapsed merger of Port Adelaide and SANFL side the Port Magpies.
“We’re delighted to win and win that way. It’s been a tough week for the Port Adelaide supporters so to be able to deliver that result for them will make them feel pretty good for a week or so,” he said after the game.
“We’ve started with a nice result... this is a new beginning for Port Adelaide. This is like when we started.”
As good as Port Adelaide was, the Crows were equally disappointing: lacking in any fluidity, constantly turning the ball over and failing to break down a well structured Port Adelaide defence.
With several key players missing, Adelaide’s run through the midfield was depleted and it was unable to match the Power’s competitive edge at the contest, managing just three goals after half time.
“We’ve been working diligently [on new tactics and structures] and it comes about through a lot of hard work, but we don’t think we’ve perfected it, I’m not sure you ever do,” Williams said.
“We will try and put pressure on and that will be determined by how many people can constantly keep up with their role in the side.”
Rookie small forward Cameron Hitchcock was a standout for the Power on debut, collecting nine possessions and kicking two goals, the second of which came courtesy of a fantastic mark, but his burning pace will be the most welcome asset.
“He didn’t surprise me one little bit. With the stuff he’s shown at training, we’re very keen on him,” Williams said.
Fellow debutants Mitch Banner and Daniel Stewart also impressed with two goals apiece, showing plenty of promise as attacking options.
Captain Dom Cassisi led from the front with 17 disposals and two nine-point goals, and alongside Travis Boak displayed the Power’s eagerness to put their head over the ball.
Justin Westhoff impressed in his trial as ruckman with eight hit outs and three clearances to go with three goals, although Williams suggested there was more work to do on the training paddock.
For the Crows, Simon Goodwin was the leading player with 22 possessions and a super goal, but their youngsters failed to make the same impact.
Richard Douglas and David Mackay also battled manfully, but weren’t able to carry their teammates as the Power comfortably overran their more fancied opponents.
Adelaide coach Neil Craig was dismissive of his team’s performance, condemning the way in which his side was outclassed.
“The positive of today is that we’re in February because you wouldn’t want to serve that up when you’re playing for a legitimate prize (four points),” he said.
“We won’t accept that [performance] as a reasoning because it was a great reminder for us, even if it’s disappointing that we needed one, about the value of competition in footy.
“If we serve up that effort... you’ll finish bottom [of the ladder].”
Port will head to Perth to play West Coast in round two, while Adelaide will play the loser of St Kilda and Collingwood in Alice Springs on Friday in the NAB Challenge.
Adelaide 0.3.3 0.6.7 0.7.7 1.8.10 (67)
Port Adelaide 1.4.4 1.7.6 1.14.13 2.15.15 (123)
GOALS
Adelaide: Nine-point goals: Goodwin. Goals: Vince 2, Knights 2, Burton 2, Douglas, Walker
Port Adelaide: Nine-point goals: Cassisi 2. Goals: Westhoff 3, Banner 2, Thompson 2, Hitchcock 2, Stewart 2, Boak, Ebert, Schulz, Logan
BEST
Adelaide: Goodwin, Dangerfield, Douglas, Vince
Port Adelaide: Boak, Hitchcock, Westhoff, Krakouer, Cassisi, Thompson, Banner
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fila, Avon, Statham
Official crowd: 14,663 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
