One of the stories of the 2023 season to date has been the resurgent Port Adelaide Power.
Written off by many hoping to get in early with their digs at the coach and his apparent lack of “nous”, Port fought through a very tough start to the season to avoid a repeat of 2022, setting themselves up for a big year in the process.
The other story in the early stages has been the resilience of Essendon. After losing key forward, and reigning Crichton Medallist, Peter Wright, to injury, the Bombers have found ways to win, but with Jayden Laverde’s absence a hole has opened up in their defence, and it appears as though it is something that will take some fixing.
On a Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval, it was Port Adelaide hosting Essendon in a contest that would shape the rest of the season for both clubs. Could Port stamp their authority on an undersized Essendon defence? Or would the Bombers once again overcome the odds and prove that their early-season form was no aberration?
What worked? And what didn’t? Who stood up, and who stepped aside?
HB asks the Big Questions stemming from the tight Port win.
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