Power holds its nerve to topple the premier
ENIGMATIC Justin Westhoff has triggered a scoring avalanche for Port Adelaide to down reigning premier Richmond by 14 points in their AFL Round 12 opener last night.
Westhoff kicked three goals in Port’s 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58) victory at Adelaide Oval.
The 237-gamer sparked the Power to a seven-goal secondterm blitz, laying the platform for a seventh win of the season.
Port is two wins inside the top eight ahead of weekend games, and has a game in hand on rivals after already having its mid-season bye.
An off-key Richmond slipped to a third loss of the year — all interstate — but remains in second spot.
The Tigers paid the price for a sloppy second quarter when Port scored seven goals to two.
The hot-and-cold Westhoff booted two goals in 90 seconds to launch Port’s spree — from seven points down at quartertime, the Power went into halftime 23 up.
The Tigers crept to within 11 points in the final term but Port, despite kicking just one goal in the second half, held its collective nerve.
Westhoff finished his stellar game with 23 disposals and four inside 50s, while Robbie Gray and Sam Gray slotted two goals each.
Their teammates Ollie Wines (29 disposals) and Sam Powell-Pepper (28 touches) provided the grunt work around the packs, with Chad Wingard (31 possessions) and Jared Polec (28 touches) also busy.
Port’s defence, with Darcy Byrne-Jones (21 disposals) prominent, largely held sway though Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt was a menace with three goals and Shane Edwards sharked two in two minutes in the first term.
Goalsneak Jason Castagna also potted two majors to offer his side hope — his second, some eight minutes into the final quarter, reduced the Tigers’ deficit to 11 points.
But neither side could score another major as Port held on to delight a parochial 39,936strong crowd.
The Tigers were missing Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin (calf) and five other premiership players and captain Trent Cotchin (20 disposals) was unable to shoulder the midfield load.
Kane Lambert (26 disposals), Jayden Short (25 possessions) and Shaun Grigg (24 touches) found plenty of the ball, and backman Alex Rance had an engrossing duel with Charlie Dixon.