MELBOURNE has been denied its first win of the season after a controversial umpiring decision late in the final quarter saw a goal to Aaron Davey disallowed, handing Port Adelaide a five-point victory at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Davey had snapped a goal to give the Demons a one-point lead, but it was disallowed after a free kick was paid against skipper David Neitz for an infringement on Darryl Wakelin.
The decision left Port Adelaide the victors 10.16 (76) to 9.17 (71).
Port Adelaide had just grabbed a five-point lead with a goal from Daniel Motlop, who marked and then took on Jeff White, who was standing the mark, to kick a major.
Scores were level several times during a tight final term in which both teams squandered chances to grab a critical break.
Only one goal had been scored to the 16-minute mark, when an injury to Kane Cornes delayed play for several minutes and gave teams a crucial breather.
When Power skipper Warren Tredrea left the ground at about the 20-minute mark with what appeared to be a groin injury, Port Adelaide was down to 19 fit players, with Troy Chaplin already unable to return.
Cornes’ brother Chad missed a goal from 45m and then Melbourne’s Aaron Davey scored a behind from a tough chance on the boundary line after some exceptional lead-up work from 150-gamer Travis Johnstone.
There was no more than 15 points between the teams all afternoon, a situation which belied their relative positions on the ladder – Melbourne winless and last and Port Adelaide second with four wins.
Of more significance may have been the fact that the Power had never beaten the Demons at the MCG.
The first goal of the final quarter, kicked by Melbourne’s Nathan Jones, levelled the scores after a third quarter that had been an arm wrestle, with neither team able to gain ascendancy, and each scoring two goals.
The Power went to the final break with a five-point margin after leading by seven points at half-time.
Matthew Bate was a surprise focal point for Melbourne on the forward line with two goals to three-quarter time in a match played before a very sparse crowd.
Neitz made a welcome return after a knee injury and finished with two majors, although it could have been more if not for some poor kicking.
PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 7.7 9.11 10.16 (76)
MELBOURNE 2.1 6.6 8.12 9.17 (71)
Goals: Port Adelaide: D Pearce 3 W Tredrea 2 D Motlop 2 S Burgoyne N Krakouer B Ebert. Melbourne: N Jones 2 M Bate 2 D Neitz 2 A Yze N Brown M Warnock.
Best: Port Adelaide: C Cornes K Cornes P Burgoyne B Lade D Pearce. Melbourne: M Bate A Yze L Dunn A Davey N Brown J McDonald S Godfrey.
Injuries: Port Adelaide: K Cornes (concussion), T Chaplin (foot). Melbourne: B Pickett (lacerated ear).
Reports: Nil.
Official Crowd: 16,266 at the MCG.
Umpires: L Farmer C Hendrie S Ryan.
