Power shutdown the Eagles

Port Adelaide 13.19 (97) def. West Coast   8.12 (60)

Port Adelaide’s form resurgence has continued tonight, defeating West Coast by 37 points in front of a parochial home crowd at AAMI Stadium.

The Power zapped the Eagles after the controversial first quarter incident, in which Chad Cornes was awarded a goal even though he failed to get his boot to ball.

The Eagles went into the match confident of claiming the rare honour of three straight wins in the city of churches, having defeated the Crows on their two previous visits.

Port Adelaide was looking to avenge the last time these two went head-to-head. That was 13 months ago when West Coast crushed Port by 117 points at Subiaco.

Both teams had form on their side, the Power having smashed Hawthorn last Sunday by 96 points, while West Coast had performed Houdini acts, coming from a more than seven goals down to snatch victory twice in the last fortnight, all be it against Geelong and Carlton.

The Eagles had the early running, and posted the first major on their third entry into the forward 50, Rowan Jones was the recipient of a free kick after Brad Symes infringed.

Daniel Chick shrugged off his opponent to lead out and mark on the run the kick Adam Hunter, while Quinten Lynch snapped over his shoulder from 25 metres out put West Coast ahead by 17 points after 15 minutes.

However, the Eagles lead was quickly cut once Port found their running game, despite conceding 10 of the first 13 inside fifties, consecutive goals from Adam Thomson and Chad Cornes saw the Power go into the first break trailing by only four points.

Port were very fortunate to be that close after umpire Scott McLaren awarded Cornes the goal when he clearly failed to get his boot to the ball, after spoiling the marking contest with Tyson Stenglein, before it trundled over the line.

A free kick for Warren Tredrea, and subsequent goal, put Port ahead after five minutes of the second quarter. The Power surged to an eight-point lead after 12 minutes, with a fourth consecutive goal.

Ruckman Brendon Lade played-on and from 53 metres out he kicked long and straight through the middle posts. West Coast looked very much a shadow of the team that dominated the early proceedings.

Port Adelaide stretched their lead to 11 points at half time, with Chad Fletcher’s goal in the 17th minute cancelled out by Josh Mahoney five minutes later.

Leading possessions getters in the first half for West Coast were Michael Braun (17), Mark Nicoski (15) and Beau Waters (15). Braun also led the marks tally on eight, and took play inside the forward fifty on six occasions.

Leaders for Port Adelaide included Shaun Burgoyne (15), Kane Cornes (12) and Steven Salopek (12). Fullback Darryl Wakelin led the marks tally for the Power with five.

West Coast were forced to again play catch up in the third quarter, despite Michael Wilson opening the term with Port’s sixth goal, Lynch slotted through his second of the night, from a 50-metre set shot, while Thomson did likewise at the other end a minute later.

Brent Staker gave the small gathering of Eagles fans hope when he slotted his first mid-way through the term, however his goal was wiped off by Elijah Ware and Tredrea as time-on approached, while Mahoney put the margin beyond five goals moments before the three-quarter-time siren.

Port retained the ‘get out of jail free’ cards and denied the Eagles another final quarter comeback attempt.

Shaun Burgoyne finished with the best on ground honours - 34 disposals, 14 contested possessions and 12 clearances. Burgoyne also slotted the last two goals for his team.

Joining Burgoyne amongst the Power best were Danyle Pearce (31 touches), Kane Cornes (29) and Dean Brogan (16 hit outs).

West Coast, in defeat, were served well by Mark Nicoski with 29 disposals, Fletcher (26), Braun (23) and Dean Cox (10 hit outs).

Next round, Port Adelaide travel to the MCG, where Melbourne awaits on Saturday afternoon (July 1), while West Coast host the red-hot Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval the following day.

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