PORT Adelaide’s recovery from its sluggish start to season 2008 hit its highest point when it hammered an inexperienced Essendon by 64 points at the Telstra Dome.
Inspired by seven goals to Daniel Motlop the Power controlled the game from start to finish in winning 24.14 (158) to 15.4 (94) in front of a parochial Essendon crowd that spent as much time booing umpire Mathew Nicholls as it did cheering anything its players had to offer.
In stark contrast the hardy band of Power supporters who journeyed to the Dome lifted from their seats every time Motlop went near the ball.
When the enigmatic forward is on there isn’t a more exciting or sublime talent in the competition.
In the first half the 26-year-old’s talents were on show for all to see. His five first-half goals included a forward pocket screamer and play-on goal, a soccer goal from 20 metres, a brilliant banana on the run and two set shots that never looked like missing.
The show continued in the third term.
Another freak snap – after spilling the easiest of chest marks – produced his seventh goal and while he went goalless in the final term, the damage was well and truly done.
Motlop’s seven-goal effort saw off six opponents – Andrew Welsh, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Tom Hislop, Darcy Daniher, Bachar Houli, Henry Slattery - and injected some much-needed life into an otherwise uninspiring and error-ridden contest.
It also equalled Port Adelaide’s goals record against Essendon previously held by Scott Cummings and Warren Tredrea.
While Motlop was the star, others, including David Rodan, Steven Salopek (33 possessions), the Burgoyne brothers, Dean Brogan and Travis Boak (20 possessions) provided a more than able support cast.
Rodan’s dash and creativity made life hell for the Essendon midfield while Boak continues to go from strength to strength as a ball winning wingman.
His poise, coolness and ability to find the goals belied his tender years.
There was also a timely return to form for Danyle Pearce who gathered 18 possessions off a wing, while Toby Thurstans and Troy Chaplin were superb in defence. Chaplin even found time to kick only the sixth goal of his career in a free-wheeling final term.
At times the game looked like men against boys.
The sureness, clean hands and skill of the Power brigade was too much for the inexperienced Essendon to handle. Only accuracy in front of goal kept the scoreboard ticking over for the young Bombers.
At times Essendon’s tentativeness and unwillingness to take the man, or the game, on dragged the Power down to their level.
With the game always in the bag the Power lost concentration at times to allow Essendon to post easy goals.
But, in the end it was the percentage booster Port Adelaide needed.
It was also the side’s third win on the trot and lifted it to 3-4 after a horror start to the year that saw the side fail to win a game from its opening four matches.
Having dispensed with Essendon the Power face a far sterner test in a fortnight’s time against the unbeaten Hawthorn.
With confidence high, and match-winners in form, the side will attack the game safe in the knowledge its best is capable of snapping the Hawks winning run.
If Motlop can reproduce his effort, the sky is the limit.
Essendon: 2.1 8.1 12.2 15.4 (94)
Port Adelaide: 6.4 14.10 19.13 24.14 (158)
GOALS:
Essendon: Lloyd 5, Neagle 2, Lovett 2, McPhee, Watson, Ryder, Hislop, Hille, Welsh
Port Adelaide: Motlop 7, Gray 3, Salopek 3, Ebert 2, S. Burgoyne 2, Rodan, Tredrea, Cassisi, Boak, Westhoff, Brogan, Chaplin
BEST
Essendon: Lloyd, Houli, Welsh, Watson, Hille
Port Adelaide: Salopek, Motlop, S. Burgoyne, Pearce, Cassisi, Chaplin
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Port Adelaide: Tredrea (corked leg)
Reports: McPhee (Essendon) reported for rough conduct on Boak (Port Adelaide) by umpire Ellis in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Nicholls, Ellis, Mollison
Official crowd: 28,409 at Telstra Dome
