PORT Adelaide recruit Jack Watts has won over the Power faithful with an outstanding six-goal haul in the club's final hit-out before the start of the home and away season.
Watts – often maligned during his 153 games at Melbourne - looked right at home in his new surroundings as he spearheaded a 26-point victory against cross-town rivals Adelaide in their JLT Community Series encounter at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
Got an AFL Fantasy team yet? Pick your side now
Defenders Darcy Byrne-Jones (31 possessions) and Dougal Howard (18 and 10 marks) were excellent, veterans Justin Westhoff (27 disposals) and Robbie Gray (26 and two goals) found plenty of the ball and ex-Geelong speedster Steven Motlop looked exciting, but the Power will be without defender Jasper Pittard for the start of the season
Trailing by 26 points at half time, the Power turned the game on its head with 12 goals straight to three, en route to winning 16.2 (98) to 11.6 (72).
"We're practicing and we're trialling and we're working with different stuff," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
"We tried a couple of different things in both halves of the game and in the second half, we got to play the game we'd like to play."
AFL Tipping: Pre-registration is open now
Highly-rated youngster Darcy Fogarty was a standout for the Crows, the 18-year-old booting three first-half goals to rocket into round one calculations, especially if captain Taylor Walker can't recover in time from a foot injury.
Experienced winger Sam Gibson looks to have booked a round one berth for his new club after 27 possessions, while Matt Crouch (23), Rory Laird (23) and Rory Atkins (21, two goals) were busy.
WATCH: The 'Fog' gets Adelaide rolling early
"At half time, we were playing some good footy, I thought we were not only attacking and moving the ball pretty well, but we were defending the game pretty well," Crows coach Don Pyke said.
"In the second half, we went away from some of the things that worked for us in the first half.
"It's probably a nice, gentle reminder if we drift away from those things, like any footy team, you're going to be under the pump a little bit."
The Power relished the sweltering 34-degree heat, running the game out the better of the two sides to the delight of the 6,157-strong crowd at their traditional home.
Watts was the star of the afternoon, kicking six goals straight from 17 disposals and five marks.
WATCH: Watts dominates with classy snap
Pittard grabbed his right hamstring when attempting to tackle Crows winger Rory Atkins at the eight-minute mark of the third quarter.
WATCH: Port backman down and out with hammy
Power speedster Aidyn Johnson (illness) and Crows forward Harry Dear (omitted) dropped out of their respective squads before the game.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Port Adelaide: The Power's forward structure, which was one of their downfalls last year, looks a lot better with Jack Watts alongside Charlie Dixon. Watts gives another genuine tall target who can beat his opponent one-on-one. Steven Motlop showed his pace and dash through the midfield.
Adelaide: The Crows were unable to turn the tide once the Power got on a roll. It was the same situation that happened to them on several occasions last year. They need to be able to find a way to right the ship and get back on course when the opposition get the upper hand.
NEW FACES
Port Adelaide: Jack Watts impressed playing alongside Charlie Dixon in the Power's forward line, booting six goals and showing his strength one-on-one. Ex-Geelong speedster Steven Motlop provided dash across half-forward and through the midfield. Dom Barry was quiet on the wing. Former Gold Coast defender Trent McKenzie didn't play the first half, but racked up 10 disposals in the second to put himself in the mix for round one as a possible replacement for the injured Jasper Pittard.
Adelaide: Darcy Fogarty put himself firmly into round one calculations with a superb performance, the No.12 overall pick in last year's draft booting three goals in the first half and leading superbly. At the other end of the age spectrum, 31-year-old Sam Gibson – recruited from North Melbourne during the trade period - found plenty of the ball on the wing. Bryce Gibbs didn't have the same impact as his first game for the club, but still did some nice things. Tom Doedee looked good at times, while small forward Lachlan Murphy applied pressure in the forward half and ran hard. Both are chances to debut in round one.
NEXT UP
The Power will aim to take their winning momentum into their season-opener against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, March 24 at 4.05pm (ACDT). The Crows take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday, March 23, at 7.50pm (AEDT).
PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 4.2 10.2 16.2 (98)
ADELAIDE 4.2 8.4 9.5 11.6 (72)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Watts 6, Wingard 2, S Gray 2, R Gray 2, Westhoff, Dixon, Ryder, Howard
Adelaide: Fogarty 3, Gibbs 2, Atkins 2, McGovern, Lynch, Sloane, Gibson
BEST
Port Adelaide: Watts, Byrne-Jones, Howard, Westhoff, Motlop, R Gray
Adelaide: Gibson, Crouch, Fogarty, Gibbs, Atkins, Sloane
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Pittard (hamstring)
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Chamberlain, Stevic, Fisher
Official crowd: 6,157 at Alberton Oval
