Round 9 – Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs: Dogs flick the switch as late Power surge falls short

 

 

Round 9

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs

8.10pm, Friday 8th May 2026

Adelaide Oval

 

The Western Bulldogs have snapped their four-game losing streak on Friday night, claiming a crucial four points against a persistent Port Adelaide outfit, winning 10.14 (74) to 10.12 (72).

 

With scores tied in the dying stages, it was the right foot boot of Harvey Gallagher who’s check side scraped through for the match winning point after the Dogs survived an almighty comeback from the Power.

 

It was the battle of the midfield stars as Dogs young gun Ryley Sanders being a standout with 31 disposals, whilst his skipper Marcus Bontempelli enjoyed himself out there with 30 disposals and a goal, all the whilst Power superstar Zak Butters gave the Dogs one final dress rehearsal before a potential move to the West as he was prolific with 30 touches of his own in his sides defeat.

 

The Dogs controlled most of the first half, dominating field territory and leading the inside 50 count. They were willing to be in possession of the football, and attack from their back half when needed with speed, thanks to the inclusion of Connor Budarick who brought a spark back into the Doggies lineup.

 

The Power, however, were playing into the Dogs hands by trying to play methodical football, allowing for Bevo’s undermanned defense to be set up in readiness for the odd Port Adelaide attack.

 

The free flowing first half was flipped on its head as the third term arm wrestle began. The Power reverted to a sense of chaos ball, getting the footy moving forward at all cost, as Mitch Georgiades became the beneficiary of quicker ball movement, slotting four majors, however leaving a few more out there that may have cost his side the four points.

 

The Dogs were held goalless in the third and were seemingly on the back foot as every Butters led attack created a sense of danger for the Dogs defense, who were out of their depth in trying to halter the momentum.

 

The last quarter became a grueling contest as players willed themselves to the footy, the Power continued to press with two goals however will be made to rue their turnover in the back half the allowed Rylee West to kick the only goal of the half for the Bulldogs.

 

Ultimately it was the Dogs midfield brigade, who were dominant in clearance all evening that got the ball surging forward to escape splitting the points, completing the Adelaide Oval double, and restoring hope into their season.

 

The Votes:

Goodluck to the umpires trying to sort out the votes for this game.  Shoutout to Michael Selwood who was instrumental in the Dogs backline, he has come on in leaps and bounds this season, and Mitch Georgiades continues to prove he is one of the power forwards to beat in 2026.

 

PORT ADELAIDE               4.1    6.5    8.7    10.12 (72)
WESTERN BULLDOGS       6.2    9.5    9.6    10.14 (74)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 4, Watkins, Sweet, Mackinlay, Whitlock, Evans, Durdin
Western Bulldogs: Lewis 2, West 2, Naughton 2, Richards, Jones, Bontempelli, Freijah

BEST
Port Adelaide: Butters, Aliir, Georgiades, Sweet, Farrell, Evans, Lai, Burgoyne
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Richards, Sanders, Sellwood, English, Freijah, Budarick

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Bergman (toe)
Western Bulldogs: English (concussion)

Crowd: 33,883 at Adelaide Oval

 

Malarkey Votes

3 VOTES – Ryley Sanders (WBD)

2 VOTES – Marcus Bontempelli (WBD)

1 VOTE – Zak Butters (PA)

 

Read more from Kristian Cavallo HERE

 

To read other Round 9 match reports click HERE.

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

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