It ended the Dockers’ spirited record-streak of five wins, and it was achieved with sheer determination and class and not the rugged force as predicted following their brutal trial game pre-season.
Geared by a super effort by centre half-forward Warren Tredrea with seven goals, the Power seized on Fremantle’s mistakes that mounted in the second half, again leaving coach Chris Connolly with the task of reverting to the basics.
Port has now collected eight wins and three losses, and the quest to replace Brisbane on top intensifies against St Kilda at Launceston’s York Park on Saturday – Port’s 150th AFL match. The Power hopes to regain experienced defender Damien Hardwick, who for the second successive week was a late withdrawal on Sunday because of a corked thigh.
It was an absorbing first half with both sides costing themselves dearly with woeful misses for goal. Port’s early goals came in bursts – two late in the first term to provide a nine-point lead at quarter time, and three from the six-minute mark in the second quarter to wrestle the lead back.
The second goal-burst largely resulted from terrific play from Nick Stevens, who was battling with Peter Bell. Both were running freely, and having a big impact with numerous well-implemented disposals.
Port looked to have the edge when Matthew Carr goaled from an incredibly-tough angle, and then Trent Croad kicked a superb goal on the run, and minutes later the score was levelled again.
But Port, like it has done so many times this season, lifted a notch with quick goals from Stevens and Peter Burgoyne for a 13-point lead at half-time.
A key factor in the first half was that Connolly used Matthew Pavlich on the ball for most of the time, and for a change his influence was minimal, picking up just three kicks, two handballs, and only one mark. The improvement didn’t come, and this was largely due to the strong, constant presence of Stuart Cochrane, making him one of Port’s best.
Port blew the game open in the third quarter, 5.6 to 1.2, with Tredrea the dominating force with three goals culminating from hard work and craftiness.
Fremantle seemed to revert to its torrid old ways, presenting two goals from appalling bad kicks across goal, and at three-quarter time when the margin burst to 41 points the challenge was far too daunting.
Port was against the breeze in the last term but the momentum remained. It merely got down to how many goals Tredrea would kick. Fremantle has breathed fresh life into the AFL this season and had some fantastic days, but this was not one of them.
The Dockers had too many players down on form compared with the terrific previous five-week span. Bell was solid, even though his opponent also caused damage, and Matthew Carr probably out-shone his brother, Port’s Josh, who coincidentally also wears the No.9.
After half-time the guernsey number was probably the closest and most obvious similarity between the sides as Port surged clear. It had a host of fine contributors, including Gavin Wanganeen, who leads most media awards this season. Adding credence to this win was the fact Port was without a long list of key players, headed by Matthew Primus (hamstring – back in three weeks), Stuart Dew (osteitis pubis – three), Matthew Bishop (calf – three), while Che Cockatoo-Collins (back) and Hardwick should return this week.
Fremantle carded 64 fewer disposals and took 21 fewer marks, but the most damaging statistic was Port’s entry into its 50-metre zone compared with Fremantle’s – 61-39. It was reflected on the scoreboard – 32 scoring shots to 18.
PORT ADELAIDE: 2.5, 7.6, 12.12 16.16 (112)
FREMANTLE: 1.2, 5.5, 6.7, 9.9 (63)
GOALS: Port: Tredrea 7, P. Burgoyne, Stevens 2, Wanganeen, S. Burgoyne, K. Cornes, Pickett, James 1.
Fremantle: Longmuir 3, Cook 2, Carr, Headland, Grover, Croad 1.
BEST:Port:Tredrea, Stevens, Cochrane, Wakelin, Schofield, James, Wanganeen.
Fremantle: Carr, Bell, Haselby, McManus, Simmonds.
INJURIES: Port: Wilson (hamstring).
CHANGES: Port: Hardwick (corked thigh) and Cockatoo-Collins (back) replaced in selected side by Cassisi and Salopek. Fremantle: Hayden (ankle) replaced by Haines.
REPORTS: None
UMPIRES: McBurney, McKenzie, Woodcock
CROWD: 30,745 at AAMI Stadium
