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9th Jun 2012
Photo by Darren Bradshaw
Magpies fly past Panthers
Alyssa-Jane Tucker
Port Adelaide Magpies made their way back into the winner’s circle in an emphatic win over South Adelaide by 41 points at Alberton Oval.
In a game was defined by fast ball movement and high scoring, the Magpies managed to run away with the game in what was a must win game for both clubs.
Port Adelaide had a strong start, opening the scoring through Callum Wilson, quickly followed by another for the Magpies through Zane Kirkwood.
This set the tone for the first quarter, which the Magpies won 6.3 to 1.1.
South opened the second quarter with a goal from Michael Wundke which the Magpies answered straight away through Sam Gray - fast scoring would remain a feature of Port Adelaide’s game.
Wilson kicked his third goal in the second quarter from an undisciplined display by South Adelaide and the Magpies forwards capitalised on the hard work and fast-ball movement of their team mates up the ground.
At half time Port Adelaide lead South by 35 points and continued their dominance into the second half of the match - opening the scoring with a quick goal from Jarrod Young
The Magpies forward line applied strong pressure in attack, with John Butcher leading the way with some hard tackling efforts.
Although Port Adelaide moved the ball cleanly off the half back line and through the corridor, they were also willing to get their hands dirty as James Brain showed, in a desperate act to keep the ball the ball in play with a quick kick to find Steven Salopek.
Port Adelaide’s captain James Meiklejohn, dominated the game in a best on ground performance - giving his midfielders first use of the football, winning the hit-outs and getting 21 disposals.
The Panthers pegged back 3 goals in the last quarter but it was too little too late as the Magpies came away with a well-earned victory after its disappointing Foxtel Cup elimination.
“It’s been a really long week for our footy club after what happened last week, which we all knew was unacceptable.”
“Tuesday was a really great training session, players took the criticism on board on Monday night, and came here Tuesday and trained the house down."
“I felt confident Tuesday that we were going to turn things around.”
Bamford highlighted strong work of his team, pointing to their pressure when South had possession and their hard work to provide an option when they had the ball.
“The pressure was good particularly in the forward line and midfield and I thought the back 6 linked up really well when we won the possession of the footy,” he said.
“If we can bring this week in and week out we can match anyone in the competition, I really do believe that and the players are aware of it,” he said.
Match result
Port Adelaide 18.11 (119) def.
South Adelaide 12.6 (78)
Best: Meiklejohn, Gray, Kirkwood, Clayton, Thurgood, Young, Beard.
Goals: Wilson 3, Harder 3, Gray 3, Kirkwood 2, Young 2, Butcher 2, Salopek, Summerton, Rose
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