Nathan Lonie, who was left out of last year’s grand final side, showed his determination to regain a spot this year with two super goals (nine-pointers) in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Motlop boys, Daniel and Marlon, gave supporters a taste of things to come with an early sequence of clever handballs back and forth, but again it was the Power’s “teal” team that took control.
Teal tough-nut Tom Logan kicked the first of his two goals for the game on his way to a best-on-ground performance.
In opposition, Shaun Burgoyne also had plenty of the ball and distributed it well to set up a goal to “Vodafone red” teammate David Rodan.
The teal team went into the first break with a handy 21-point lead, but the red team mounted a comeback in the second term through Chad Cornes.
Cornes, who was rotated through both the midfield and forward lines, booted two majors for the quarter and was well supported in attack by the strong hands and reliable boot of Justin Westhoff.
Kane Cornes operated in typical style and was forced into the rooms from where he emerged with a bandage around his head.
Shaun Burgoyne slotted through another goal for the red team, while Greg Bentley, in his first game wearing the number 22, steadied with a goal at the other end.
The third quarter is where it got interesting with members of each team switching sides and the numbers on the ground dwindling from 17-a-side to 16 and then 15.
The open spaces suited Nathan Krakouer’s game and the skinny kid from
Paul Stewart also showed a bit of class in his first time in the Power colours with a silky gather and pass to Justin Westhoff.
Young talls Fabian Deluca and Jonathan Giles went head-to-head in the ruck while seasoned big men Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan rested some sore spots.
Damon White, another player squeezed out of the Power forward line in 2007, capitalised on his solid summer with a strong pack park and the first of his three goals.
Brett Ebert switched from red to teal and the colour change seemed to suit him with the sharp shooter nailing two goals for the half.
Danyle Pearce and Stewart nabbed two more red goals, while Jacob Surjan moved from defence to the midfield and got one back for the teal team.
The red team led at the final change and with only 20 players left on the field there were some very tired legs.
Lanky draftee Matthew Lobbe moved well, but rookie Daniel Boyle had a night to forget after copping a kick to the calf. Young players Mitch Farmer, Nick Salter, Hugh Minson and Adam Thomson were rested from the game.
White added to his goal tally and Logan, who could barely stand for fatigue, kept racking up possessions. Highly rated youngster Robbie Gray showcased his quick hands before coming off for a rest, while Adam Cockshell and Matthew Westhoff both had inaccurate shots on goal.
In the end it was the Vodafone red team who emerged 10-point winners.
Goal kickers
Nathan Lonie: 2 super goals
Damon White: 3
Brett Ebert: 3
Tom Logan: 2
David Rodan: 1
Greg Bentley: 1
Shaun Burgoyne: 1
Danyle Pearce: 1
Justin Westhoff: 1
Paul Stewart: 1
Jacob Surjan: 1
