POWER SURGE
Port simply too good against Pies
STAR forward Robbie Gray booted five goals as Port Adelaide cruised to a 31-point win over Collingwood at the MCG yesterday.
Port led throughout and put the result beyond doubt with a commanding third quarter in which they booted five straight goals.
The 13.15 (93) to 9.8 (62) victory lifts the Power to third on the ladder and puts Collingwood’s AFL finals hopes in serious jeopardy.
With just five wins and eight losses, the Magpies could fall into the bottom four depending on other results over the weekend.
It was an impressive statement from the Power a fortnight after copping a 70-point pasting from Essendon.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder was in commanding form in his 200th game, ensuring prime movers Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert and Matt White had first use, while the brilliant Gray wreaked havoc throughout.
“When you hold a side to 62 points, you’re not going to lose too many,” Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
“I’ve said a few times we’re probably not near the most talented teams in the competition but we work pretty honestly together in a trademark style of football.”
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said his side had been physically bullied by the bigger-bodied Power midfielders.
“It’s the best opposition we’ve had (this season),” Buckley said. “Our tackles didn’t stick, especially late. It looked to me like their confidence grew like they were able to run through us and we weren’t able to run through them.”
Gray set the tone with two early goals to put the Power ahead by 21 points at quartertime.
Buckley’s men lifted in the second quarter with Scott Pendlebury leading the way.
The Magpies skipper had 20 disposals and six inside-50s to halftime, while key interceptor Jeremy Howe had 17 touches and six marks.
But Gray booted two goals in quick succession to keep the momentum with the Power.
Up by 17 points at halftime, the Power broke away in the third term, booting five straight goals during a dominant 15-minute stretch.
Darcy Moore (three goals) and Alex Fasolo worked hard for the Magpies, while key defender Tom Clurey impressed for the Power.
Mathematically, Collingwood’s season isn’t dead. But on almost every other scale of judgment, the Magpies would need to be Lazarus with a triple bypass to be still alive this September.
Given the way they played, the Magpies don’t have wins left in them for the remaining games to break what looks like being a four-year finals drought.