Tiger taming show of absolute Power
PORT Adelaide needed a statement after the debacle against West Coast in Perth last weekend.
And the Power overcame injury problems and some goalkicking issues to conquer reigning premier Richmond by two points in a tense encounter at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said before the game his side was a month behind most clubs and his side did look rusty with their skills at times.
As was the case with the preliminary final clash between these sides last year, the premiership points were in dispute until the final siren.
LAMBERT AGAIN
IT WAS as if Tiger Kane Lambert had not left
Adelaide Oval after the narrow preliminary final win over the Power.
Lambert nailed the final two Tigers’ goals to get the side home and kicked the first goal in the Round 4 clash.
There was another preliminary final memory revived in the opening term when Dustin Martin outmarked Karl Amon with his trademark clever body use. Martin was expected to have the set shot from 40m, only to handball to Jayden Short running past and he kicked truly for the goal.
Martin had nine touches in the first quarter, and what about his snap for goal early in the final term to cut the deficit to five points.
MOMENTUM HALTED
THE Power had the momentum for much of the early minutes of the second term. But 14 minutes into the quarter, experienced defender Hamish Hartlett produced a howler.
His clearing kick under no pressure was intended for Darcy Byrne-Jones. Instead, he found gun Tiger Jack Riewoldt, who bombed from outside 50 and it bounced through for a goal. The goal cut the Power lead to just two points. Fortunately for the Power, they nailed a goal shortly after.
Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis returned the favour in the third quarter when he missed a target in defence, allowing Connor Rozee to pounce and kick a goal. And Hartlett then made amends when he kicked a stunning major from 60m.
WASTED CHANCES
THE Power were their own worst enemy in the second term, wasting prime opportunities in front of goal.
And it was some senior players having trouble with their accuracy. Robbie Gray and Charlie Dixon missed set shots as the Power added 3.7 for the quarter.
What should have been a substantial lead at half-time was only seven points. The Power smashed the Tigers in the inside 50 count, but the domination failed to be reflected on the scoreboard.
THE JONES BOY
LACHIE Jones might just be the latest cult hero for Port.
He was introduced into the contest after nine minutes to the delight of the crowd. The youngster coughed up some mistakes, but he is a goer and the Power fans enjoyed his endeavour.