The Power’s midfield pressure proved too strong for Melbourne, handing them 25.15 (147) to 14.6 (90) loss, and silencing the critics after the round-two loss to West Coast at Subiaco.
Midfielder Aaron Davey had 30 touches in this 100th game, while Brad Green kicked three goals. Cameron Bruce picked up 29 touches and two goals.
Warren Tredrea was a stand out for the Power, booting six goals, while Port Adelaide’s midfielders had outstanding games. Steven Salopek picked up 33 touches and Peter Burgoyne 35.
Milestone man Daniel Motlop was not at his brilliant best, but still managed three goals in his 100th game, including a typically cheeky, jinking effort in the last term.
Both teams started slowly in a scrappy first quarter, with Domenic Cassisi slotting the first goal of the game on the back of a 50m penalty. Tredrea quickly followed with impressive short play finding Robbie Grey in the forward 50.
But the Dees steadied, generating run and carry from half-back to set up goals for Neville Jetta and Brad Green.
Melbourne started the second quarter with good movement but struggled to find targets in the midfield. The lack of scoreboard pressure quickly turned into momentum the Power, whose dominant forward line pressure and teamwork was evident as Tredrea picked up his second and third goals.
A strong grab and goal by Gray late in the second made it seven for the term and took Port Adelaide’s lead out to 37 points at half time.
The game petered out as a contest in the second half, with the Power gaining ascendency in all areas of the game. They ended the match with twelve separate goalkickers and winners all over the ground.
Melbourne did add some respectability with six majors in the final term, two of which were kicked by Matthew Bate.
Jamie Bennell also grabbed his first AFL goal after a clever tackle in Melbourne’s forward fifty, and Brad Miller added another goal in the dying minutes after a strong mark.
The Demons next assignment is Richmond at the MCG next Sunday.
Port Adelaide 3.3 10.5 16.12 22.15 (147)
Melbourne 2.1 4.4 7.5 14.6 (90)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Tredrea 4, Motlop 3, Gray, Pearce, C Cornes, Brogan 2, Cassisi, K Cornes, Lade, Carr, Thomas, Boak, P Burgoyne
Melbourne: Green 3, Bruce, Bate, Miller 2, Jetta, Moloney, Dunn, Morton, Bennell
BEST
Port Adelaide: Tredrea, Brogan, Pearce, Krakouer, P Burgoyne, Carlile, Salopek, Cassisi, C Cornes, Gray
Melbourne: Davey, Jones, Bruce, Bate, Green, Morton, Sylvia
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Surjan (cut forehead), S Burgoyne (leg)
Melbourne: None
Reports: Colin Sylvia (Melb) by umpire Kennedy for (TBC) against Josh Carr (Port Adelaide). Dom Cassisi (Port Adelaide) by umpire Kennedy for (TBC) against Lynden Dunn (Melb).
Umpires: Kennedy, Stewart and Avon
Official crowd: 21,030 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
