PORT Adelaide is out of the NAB Cup after it lost to Melbourne and then the Adelaide Crows, the latter by 32 points in the third and final game of the opening round.
The Crows restricted the Power to one behind in the first half, before asserting their dominance in the second period to run away clear winners.
It all started with a sight that will please Crows fans, as Patrick Dangerfield burst through a pack deep inside fifty to slam through the first goal for Adelaide.
Typical of past clashes between these two rivals, much of the hard work was done by both sides in close. Daniel Pearce was outstanding for the Power, breaking the lines and amassing 11 disposals in the first half.
New Crow Richard Tambling appeared comfortable across half-back. Tambling played a sweeping role throughout the game, mopping up the ball on several occasions across the defensive half for Adelaide.
At the main break, it was Adelaide boasting a thirteen point lead at the main break whilst Port struggled to create scoring opportunities.
In fact, it was through a lazy switch from Ben Rutten that gifted the first goal of the second half to Daniel Motlop, who intercepted close to goal to give the Power their first major.
Adelaide responded quickly however, with a goal from the No. 14 pick from last year’s AFL draft Brodie Smith. The youngster scooped up a spillage in the forward 50 and guided it home off his left boot in one swift motion to re-establish the Crows’ dominance.
Another opportunistic goal to the always-dangerous Jason Porplyzia and the Crows looked well on their way.
Scott Thompson also looked to be moving freely, setting up Brad Symes as Adelaide pushed their lead out to 25 points with eight minutes on the clock.
From here it was all one way traffic as the Crows took complete control. Mature-age recruit Ian Callinan shared a memorable moment with his new teammates after goaling from 40 metres and adding the icing to the Crow cake.
Unfortunately for Port Adelaide, the 2011 NAB Cup is over. For the Crows, they will have to sweat on other results and hope that their heavy scoring win over Port will see them through to the next round of competition.
Adelaide 0.2.2 0.6.4 (40)
Port Adelaide 0.0.1 0.1.2 (8)
GOALS Adelaide: Nine-point goals (nil): Goals: Dangerfield, Van Berlo, Porplyzia, Symes, Callinan. Port Adelaide: Nine-point goals: (nil) Goals: D. Motlop.
BEST Adelaide: Dangerfield, Sloane, Thompson, Reilly, Callinan. Port Adelaide: Pearce, K. Cornes, Trengove.
INJURIES: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Nicholls, Armstrong.
Crowd: 18,202 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
