PORT Adelaide has crushed an injury depleted West Coast by 91 points tojump to equal second on the AFL ladder.
The Power consigned the Eagles to their fifth loss in seven matcheswith a percentage- boosting 22.21 (153) to 9.8 (62) triumph at AAMIStadium.
The Eagles, missing nine of their 2006 premiership side, were blownaway by a destructive opening half by Port.
The Power had 14 scoring shots to two in the opening quarter and onlypoor conversion of 5.9 to the Eagles' 1.1 restricted the home side to a 32-point lead at the first break.
Port extended its advantage to 51 points by half time, 10.13 to 3.4,and the result was effectively sealed.
Power forward Justin Westhoff, in just his sixth AFL match, booted fourgoals, as did Daniel Motlop and best on ground Chad Cornes, who also collected31 possessions.
They feasted on a constant supply of opportunities created by the likesof onballers Domenic Cassisi (30 disposals) and Kane Cornes (35).
In stark contrast, Eagle powerhouse Quentin Lynch was his side's soledominant forward, notching three goals in one of the most lacklustreperformances from West Coast in recent years.
The injury-riddled Eagles, who had just 26 players to choose from forthe match, had few winners and skipper Chris Judd was noticeably hobbled by agroin injury.
Judd spent the third quarter stationed at full-forward beforespectating from the bench for almost the entire last term.
The only Eagles to make a significant impact were midfielders AndrewEmbley and Rowan Jones.
West Coast - now one of five clubs, including Port, on 36 premiershippoints and equal second on the ladder - faces arch rival Sydney next Saturdaynight.
Port visits bottom side Richmond next week and, with matches againststrugglers Melbourne and Carlton looming, seems assured of a finalsberth.
PORT ADELAIDE 5.9 10.13 17.16 22.21 (153)
The Power consigned the Eagles to their fifth loss in seven matcheswith a percentage- boosting 22.21 (153) to 9.8 (62) triumph at AAMIStadium.
The Eagles, missing nine of their 2006 premiership side, were blownaway by a destructive opening half by Port.
The Power had 14 scoring shots to two in the opening quarter and onlypoor conversion of 5.9 to the Eagles' 1.1 restricted the home side to a 32-point lead at the first break.
Port extended its advantage to 51 points by half time, 10.13 to 3.4,and the result was effectively sealed.
Power forward Justin Westhoff, in just his sixth AFL match, booted fourgoals, as did Daniel Motlop and best on ground Chad Cornes, who also collected31 possessions.
They feasted on a constant supply of opportunities created by the likesof onballers Domenic Cassisi (30 disposals) and Kane Cornes (35).
In stark contrast, Eagle powerhouse Quentin Lynch was his side's soledominant forward, notching three goals in one of the most lacklustreperformances from West Coast in recent years.
The injury-riddled Eagles, who had just 26 players to choose from forthe match, had few winners and skipper Chris Judd was noticeably hobbled by agroin injury.
Judd spent the third quarter stationed at full-forward beforespectating from the bench for almost the entire last term.
The only Eagles to make a significant impact were midfielders AndrewEmbley and Rowan Jones.
West Coast - now one of five clubs, including Port, on 36 premiershippoints and equal second on the ladder - faces arch rival Sydney next Saturdaynight.
Port visits bottom side Richmond next week and, with matches againststrugglers Melbourne and Carlton looming, seems assured of a finalsberth.
PORT ADELAIDE 5.9 10.13 17.16 22.21 (153)
WEST COAST 1.1 3.4 6.6 9.8 (62)
Goals: Port Adelaide: D Motlop 4 J Westhoff 4 CCornes 4 W Tredrea 3 A Thomson 2 N Lonie B Ebert D Pearce B Lade D Rodan. WestCoast: Q Lynch 3 D Cox M Seaby B McKinley B Jones M LeCras SArmstrong.
Best: Port Adelaide: C Cornes D Cassisi DMotlop K Cornes J Westhoff P Burgoyne D Rodan D Pearce. West Coast: A Embley QLynch R Jones M Rosa.
Umpires: M Vozzo M Head MAvon.
Official crowd: 27,879 at AAMIStadium.
