Round 6 – Port Adelaide v St. Kilda: Sunday evening joy

 

It was my highlight in what had been a tough 36 hours prior but it finished with relief as I had ended a tortuous four months in an occupation I did not enjoy.

 

St Kilda could relate because they, as a collective, are not in a happy place.

 

Especially Bradley Hill and Max King who were, sadly for Saints fans, were owned by Karl Amon and Tom Jonas.

 

The big difference also to what was my situation and that of the St Kilda players is that the Saints players are on the big bucks and they have no choice to leave or quit like I did.

 

I am now in a happy place that will get even happier once I finalise a job that I will enjoy.

 

On, that tone, my Port Adelaide Power are playing happy footy!

 

The crafty Port Adelaide Power pair of Steven Motlop and Orazia Fantasia (three goals each) snared six goals between them as the Power waltzed to a 14.9 (93) to 5.9 (39) win against a disappointing St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.

 

Put simply, it was a dim night for St Kilda with the only highlight coming from Jack Higgins who booted a goal of the year contender and first of the game on the boundary line.

 

Perhaps a more excited reaction from Higgins could have sent the right message to the rest of the players rather than the flat one he delivered as soon as the goal was kicked.

 

His real response mirrored how the Saints played for the most part of the remainder of the game.

 

Port’s left footed wingman Amon amassed 34 disposals in a PB performance while midfielder Ollie Wines was awarded the Anzac Day Peter Badcoe Medal for best afield (36 disposals).

 

Port coach Ken Hinkley said his team showed maturity amid St Kilda’s early forward-entry dominance.

 

“”There’s absolutely no doubt we controlled the game, we played a really calm and composed game of football,” Hinkley told afl.com.au.

 

“We knew the threat, and we knew how hard St Kilda would come, particularly early.

 

“We took on the risk, and managed it really well.”

 

The Saints could not apply early scoreboard pressure as Port Adelaide built on its lead at every break.

 

Motlop scored goals twice in the first term while Mitch Georgiades was the beneficiary of two 50-metre penalties in the second stanza as the Power buried the game at half-time.

 

Port’s debutant Martin Frederick was super impressive off half back and he provided an exciting dash and composure.

 

Both he and Aliir Aliir were a treat to watch while captain Jonas was a repelling force in defence.

 

Dan Houston and Hamish Hartlett both took heavy hits last week against Carlton, but you wouldn’t know it as the pair looked full of verve and sharp with their ball handling and use.

 

Their team-mate Ryan Burton was superb off half-back as the Power brace for a Brisbane Lions test in Brisbane this Saturday night.

 

 

PORT ADELAIDE 4.1 8.3 11.8 14.9 (93)
ST KILDA 1.4 2.5 3.7 5.9 (39)

 

GOALS

Port Adelaide: Motlop 3, Fantasia 3, Georgiades 2, Rozee 2, Dixon 2, Boak, Gray
St Kilda: Higgins, Hill, Marshall, Carlisle, Membrey

 

BEST
Port Adelaide: Amon, Motlop, Fantasia, Wines, Houston
St Kilda: Ross, Steele, Higgins, Marshall, Crouch

 

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
St Kilda: Hill (ankle)

 

SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Sam Mayes (unused)
St Kilda: Jack Bytel (replaced Hill)

 

REPORTS
Port Adelaide:
Nil
St Kilda: McKenzie (reported for rough conduct on Wines)

 

 

 

 

For more from Nick, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

The Tigers (Covid) Almanac 2020 will be published in 2021. It will have all the usual features – a game by game account of the Tigers season – and will also include some of the best Almanac writing from the Covid winter.  Pre-order HERE

 

 

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About Nicholas Kossatch

Tall and intelligent and athletically built who calls a spade a spade. Love sports writing and sending letters and texts to the editor about AFL and the Port Adelaide Power - win, lose or draw. I do not sit on the fence. Soon to be 40! I play basketball and over 35's supers football. Have played amateur footy and a bit of cricket and basketball when living in Adelaide. Do some writing for the Murray Pioneer,

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