PORT ADELAIDE 0.5 1.7 4.10 6.14 (50)
WEST COAST 3.4 8.8 9.10 14.14 (98)
West Coast has kept its top four aspirations alive, accounting for a wasteful Port Adelaide by 48 points at AAMI Stadium.
The Eagles led by Scott Selwood (34 disposals, seven tackles), Beau Watters (23 disposals, nine rebound 50s) and Jack Darling (14 disposals, three goals) got the job done with relative ease, answering any challenge Port produced.
Both teams were inaccurate to start the game, with the first six scoring shots all being behinds in perfect conditions. The task fell to Shannon Hurn to finally notch up a major.
Port Adelaide had plenty of opportunities to be right in the game, however all Port’s hard work was being wasted in front of goal. Goals to Selwood and Darling saw West Coast shoot out to a 17-point quarter time lead.
Carrying on with the momentum gained in the first quarter, the Eagles bolted out of the blocks to begin the second. Goals to Hill, McGinnity and Darling pushed the margin out to 34 points in the blink of an eye.
It took until the 14-minute mark for Port Adelaide to kick their first goal, with a classy snap from Danyle Pearce opening the home teams account.
It was to be the only piece of joy emanating from the quarter for Port, as West Coast kicked the remaining two goals of the quarter to make the margin 43 points at the main break.
A Nic Natanui goal to begin the second half signaled warning bells for the home crowd, as the Eagles looked likely to run a muck.
It wasn’t to be however, as Port Adelaide finally began to capitalise on the opportunities being created in general play. Goals to Westhoff, Wingard and Ebert instilled a sense of belief in to the young Port team, as the margin was reduced to just 30 points going in to the final change.
Any hope of a famous comeback were short lived however, as Natanui once again kicked the first goal of the quarter to effectively kill the contest. Schulz responded almost immediately though a quick reply by Hurn nailed the door firmly shut for Port.
West Coast in the end proved to be too good for Port Adelaide, coming away with a 48-point victory.
West Coast will now host Collingwood next Saturday night while Port Adelaide will host Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.
Votes
3) Scott Selwood
2) Beau Watters
1) Jack Darling
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Schulz 2, Brett Ebert, Wingard, Westhoff, Pearce
West Coast: Darling 3, Naitanui 3, Masten 2, Hurn 2, Kerr, McGinnity, Hill, S. Selwood
BEST
Port Adelaide: Pearce, Cornes, Broadbent, Westhoff, Brad Ebert, Trengove
West Coast: S Selwood, Watters, Darling, Priddis, Naitanui, Masten, Cox,
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Travis Boak (corked hip) replaced in selected side by John McCarthy, Paul Stewart (concussion), Moore (hamstring)
West Coast: Adam Selwood (concussion)
SUBSTITUTIONS
Port Adelaide: Chad Wingard replaced Paul Stewart in the second quarter.
West Coast: Bradd Dalziell replaced Adam Selwood at quarter-time.
Reports
Port Adelaide: Nil
West Coast: Nil
Umpires: Leppard, Fila, Jeffery
Official crowd: 13,683 at AAMI Stadium
