Port smashed by red-hot Crows

Adelaide   127 defeated Port Adelaide   55

Adelaide has begun their NAB Cup campaign with a resounding 72-point victory over cross-town rivals Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide this afternoon.

Port had next to no answers for a primed Adelaide outfit, who were eager to begin 2006 on a high note. The Crows had several stars on show for the first hit-out, with Andrew McLeod and Simon Goodwin joined by regulars Brett Burton, Trent Hentschel and Ian Perrie.

Best for the Port side were youngster Steven Salopek and former Hawk Nathan Lonie, while Warren Tredrea booted two goals.

The Power have one injury concern ahead of the season proper. Adam Kingsley dislocated his left shoulder, in the ninth minute of the opening term, after jostling for the ball with Burton.

It took 12 minutes for the Crows to click into gear, despite Goodwin, Burton, Matthew Bode and Ian Perrie missing four relatively easy shots on goal.

Hentschel outmuscled Shaun Burgoyne twice early, taking a one-handed mark deep in the forward pocket only to suffer the embarrassment of hitting the post. Dominating territory it was a matter of time before the first goal would be put through, and it came when Hentschel grubbered out of Burgoyne's hands on the goal line.

Peter Burgoyne, brother of Shaun, calmly slotted Port's first major against the run of play in the 19th minute. The Power took the lead through new recruit Daniel Motlop two minutes later.

Port held a narrow five-point lead (16-11) at the first change, but Hentschel smothered Shaun Burgoyne, snaffled the ball and grubbered through for his, and the Crows, second goal only 30 seconds into the second term.

Tredrea, SportsAustralia's player of the year in 2004, only managed three possessions in the first quarter but made his fourth count with the third Power goal, outplayed early the Port side had regrouped and were taking it up to their more fancied rivals.

However, Adelaide regained the lead, with six consecutive inside 50s, after a super goal by Goodwin and subsequent goals to Perrie and Ken McGregor. The centre bounce following McGregor's goal saw the scintillating skill play from Andrew McLeod, who narrowly missed with his super goal attempt from the edge of the centre square.

The Adelaide defence was finally broken in the 18th minute when Tredrea marked in the pocket uncontested, however, he handballed onto Motlop who grubbered towards goal only for Rhett Biglands to clean up. The Crows stormed away to a 29-point lead with back-to-back goals from Hentschel and Burton.

Peter Burgoyne salvaged a late goal back for Port with a minute to play in the quarter, and received a shove from Tyson Edwards after crossing the line.

Adelaide took a 23-point lead into the main break. Hentschel had three goals, while Burton and Goodwin (15 disposals) were amongst the Crows best. Port were led by Salopek (15 disposals) and Lonie (13 possessions).

The Crows wasted little time in stamping their authority again, early in the second half, when Hentschel, Perrie and Goodwin put through the first three goals and stretched the margin out to 41-points.

The resolute Crows midfield, led by McLeod, denied the Power much wanted entries into their forward 50. A momentary lapse allowed Port in and Motlop, hobbling after he took the 12th minute goal-square mark, put through his second.

A Perrie double was followed by Burton, who narrowly missed to the left. Josh Mahoney brought the margin back under 40 with his first goal. With McLeod off Nathan van Berlo stepped up in the centre and set-up the Crows 13th goal when the 'birdman' Burton flew over the pack for a great mark. Luke Jericho snapped truly and the Crows led at the final change by 54-points.

Tredrea put through his second goal early in the final term, ending the run of six unanswered goals. However another double from Hentschel followed before Dominic Cassisi booted the eighth goal.

Adelaide opted to rest one of their leading possession getters, Goodwin, as the clock ventured into time-on, though 66-points up it had no real effect on the final outcome. Burton snared the final goal of the match with a minute to play.

Chris Knights, 2004 draftee, finished with 28 touches of the ball (12 kicks, 16 handballs), while Goodwin was not far behind with 27 gathers (14 kicks, 13 handballs). Salopek finished the match with, a game high, 30 disposals (18 kicks, 12 handballs), while Brett Ebert gathered 24 times.

Next week, Battle of the Birds clash at Launceston, next Saturday night, when Adelaide takes on Hawthorn, while Port Adelaide plays Carlton at Optus Oval that afternoon.

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