Demon demolition ’best of career’ Overjoyed Hinkley on Power trip
PORT Adelaide coach Ken n Hinkley has declared his s side’s 26-point upset win over Melbourne as his best as an AFL coach.
The Power were superb at the MCG yesterday, serving up the first boilover of the season to down the Demons 12.15 (87) to 9.7 (61).
Justin Westhoff kicked fivestraight goals and Tom Rockliff tallied 44 possessions in the win that marks the Power as a team to watch in 2019.
“What a day at the G, hey?” Hinkley exclaimed.
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. This is the best win I’ve been involved with at Port Adelaide, including finals.
“Because of the side we put out there. Because of the braveness that we showed right through the summer.
“I think there were a lot of doubters.”
With four debutants and another two playing their first game for the club, there was plenty to like about Port, who finished 10th last season. All played fine hands, particularly inside midfielder Willem Drew on debut and ex-Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton.
After conceding the first three goals of the game, the Power composed themselves. Jack Watts recovered from an undisciplined first quarter to play an influential hand and Westhoff was a superb spear- head. Scott Lycett outworked Max Gawn while Melbourne talls Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman had no impact.
Rockliff, Travis Boak and Sam Powell-Pepper were relentless at the contest but the Power changed the game on the outside.
On a humid day in Melbourne, the Demons could not go with Port’s runners – the visitors finished with 92 more uncontested possessions.
First-gamer Zak Butters gave the Power their first lead in the second quarter with back-to-back majors.
Jake Melksham and Christian Salem were terrific for Melbourne as they won the lead back in the third term but Simon Goodwin’s team couldn’t make it stick.
With the match in the balance in the final term, Nathan Jones dropped a sitter on the 5 50m line before ex-Demon Ja Jack Watts denied the hosts a m major with a last-gasp mark. Twenty seconds later, the b ball was in Westhoff’s hands in the goal square for a momentum-halting goal that allowed Port to run away with the contest.
“I think there were a lot of doubters” PORT ADELAIDE COACH KEN HINKLEY