Port Adelaide remains on top of the premiership ladder after defeating the Sydney Swans by 39 points at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Power had to weather an early challenge from the Swans, but found rhythm in the second half to storm to a 14.15 (99) to 8.12 (60) win.
Dean Brogan continued to shine in Matthew Primus’ absence – dominating the rucks all day to finish with 36 hitouts and 15 possessions while Peter Burgoyne was impressive at ground level with 28 telling disposals.
Veteran on-baller Daryn Cresswell was the standout for Sydney finishing with a game-high 34 possessions.
Acting Power captain Warren Tredrea won the toss and elected to kick with the aid of a strong breeze in the first quarter but it was Sydney that dominated early play.
The Swans seized control of the midfield and ran forward in numbers but were wasteful in front of goal with Nic Fosdike the worst offender – booting three first-quarter points.
Barry Hall slotted the first major of the day to give Sydney a ten-point lead midway through the term as the Power struggled to find their rhythm.
Stuart Dew registered Port’s first score of the day with a point at the 21-minute mark, and Kane Cornes followed that up with the Power’s first goal in the dying stages of the quarter to reduce the deficit to four points at the first break.
The Swans continued to waste scoring opportunities early in the second quarter with Nick Davis taking his tally to three behinds while the Power continued to look lethargic.
However, Sydney’s inaccuracy was to cost them dearly as Port moved into the lead when Shaun Burgoyne kicked truly at the 12-minute mark. The goal sparked the Power into action and goals to Josh Carr and Dew soon followed.
The Power had all the momentum, but an Adam Schneider goal against the run of play shortly before half-time reduced the deficit to eight points at the main break.
The game was evenly poised as the second half got underway but Port Adelaide shifted up a gear to build on its half-time lead. The Swans looked shell-shocked as the Power dominated possession and outscored them 5.9 to 2.1 for the quarter.
Jarrad Schofield was the prime-mover for the Power with 10 disposals for the term while Warren Tredrea and Gavin Wanganeen burst into action up forward – each contributing two third-quarter goals.
The Swans trailed by 34 points as the last quarter got underway, but that margin quickly became 40 when Tredrea slotted his third after a 50-metre penalty put him on the goal line.
Sydney offered some resistance with goals to Nick Davis, Hall and Schneider but Port had all the answers and Wanganeen sealed the win with his third shortly before the final siren.
PORT ADELAIDE: 1.1, 4.5, 9.14, 14.15 (99)
SYDNEY: 1.5, 2.9, 4.10, 8.12 (60)
Goals: Port Adelaide: Tredrea 3, Wanganeen 3, Lade 2, S Burgoyne, C Cornes, Dew, Carr, Pickett, K Cornes.
Sydney: Hall 2, Schneider 2, Mathews, O’Loughlin, Davis, Goodes.
Best: Port Adelaide: Brogan, P Burgoyne, Schofield, Carr, Cochrane, C Cornes, Hardwick.
Sydney: Creswell, Bolton, Williams, Maxfield, Barry.
Injuries: Port Adelaide: Cockatoo-Collins replaced in selected side by Cassisi, K Cornes (hand).
Sydney: Mathews (ankle).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Rowe, Schmitt, Goldspink.
Crowd: 24,272 at AAMI Stadium
