With their finals hopes hanging on by a thin thread, Melbourne threw everything they had at an in-form Port Adelaide side. It was a low-scoring affair, a huge contrast to Port’s demolition of Sydney only the week before, as both sides had to dig deep in this highly defensive contest.
It was a messy start to the game, with both sides struggling to get themselves going. It took until the 12-minute mark before Melbourne scored the first goal, and they added another before Port were able to get some clean run through the corridor to answer with two goals of their own. Neither side truly gained control of momentum, however, and only a Charlie Dixon miss on the siren separated the two sides at the first break.
Port Adelaide threatened to gain control early in the second but could only add one more goal on the board before Melbourne were able to adjust. They were able to start running through the corridor themselves and put plenty of pressure on the Port forwards with both plenty of inside 50 entries and tackling pressure. The game remained low scoring but going into half-time it felt like Melbourne were in the best position to have a big second half.
But try as hard as they could, the Demons couldn’t shake the Power. They felt in control and yet couldn’t find their way to turning the dominance into goals, and each time they did, Port were able to quickly equalise. With Port starting to even up contested possessions, the game turned into a real grind and the margin remained the same, at three points in Melbourne’s favour.
It all came down to one question for Port Adelaide – are they a top 4 team or not? When Connor Rozee blasted out of the centre to hand Dixon a goal within the first minute, it hinted that they were going to run away with the game, but as Melbourne had done all night, they refused to give in. They stole back the lead with just under 13 minutes to go, but Port were having all of the play and wearing down the Demon’s defence.
The critical moments
It was a massive error by Brandon Zerk-Thatcher when he decided to kick the ball rather than run it over the line for a behind, and it went straight to Jack Billings in scoring range. Unfortunately, the moment got the better of him and his kick went offline when it could have put Melbourne nine points up with 10 minutes to play.
A minute later, a great running play saw Koltyn Tholstrup taking a kick from 25 meters out on a slight angle, but he too couldn’t seize the moment and was lucky to score a behind.
Then, the ball ended up at the other end for the first time in a while and Port Adelaide sub, Quinton Narkle took a big contested mark in a similar spot of Tholstrup. He was able to go back and slot the goal to even scores up with 6.40 to play.
A Rozee shot on goal was taken away after a score review showed the ball had crossed the behind line, but it was enough to give Port the lead.
After a few minutes of the ball in dispute and a rushed behind to Port, the Dees had a few last minute chances to go forward, but each time, Port were able to get in the way and ran out the clock to secure the victory by two points.
JHF is Port’s new MVP
More than a few times this year, the words ‘Jason Horne-Francis stood up for the Power’ have been written, and it was the young gun again who proved to be the difference in this game. He played all over the ground, first playing a strong forward target and kicking goals, and also taking himself down the back and taking some big defensive marks, including one in the dying moments.
While Connor Rozee and Zak Butters are the more ‘flashy’ players for Port, neither have been able to turn a game like Horne-Francis has this year and don’t have his versatility to play all over the ground. He finished the night with 29 disposals, 25 of those kicks, five score involvements, 13 marks, and two goals in another best-on-ground performance.
Miles Bergman also deserves more credit than he gets. He stopped several of Melbourne’s potential goals throughout the game and was a steady head for the Power down back. He had a heavy fall early in the final term and looked very sore, but he was able to play out the game and had a few big defensive moments to help seal the win.
The never-ending evolution of Travis Boak
When the changing of guard saw Rozee, Butters, and JHF take over the midfield roles, it looked like the end for Travis Boak. He was moved out onto the wing, where he looked uncomfortable and struggled to have his usual impact on games. Even earlier this year, he was still not settled into his new role and kicked a staggering 15 straight behinds. It left a few speculating was this the end for the Port legend.
But, as he has done several times before, he has somehow found a way to reinvent himself. He has been one of the most improved players since the Brisbane demolition, and there was no one else who looked more polished on a scrappy night for both teams. His delivery into the forward 50 was beautiful, and he demonstrated his football IQ, knowing when to dive into the contest and when to hang back. He was second in disposals only by one with 29, and had nine marks, five intercepts, and eight inside 50s.
He’s only contracted to the end of the season, but surely he’s earned himself another season. Maybe two.
Gawn has stitched up another AA
Max Gawn was once again absolutely huge for Melbourne by simply doing what he does best, winning the ruck contest and taking huge defensive marks. Even Charlie Dixon couldn’t stand up to the big man, as Gawn out-marked him multiple times and dominated the ruck battles. It was clear Port were worried about him and throughout the night they gave away seven frees to Gawn alone. With no other ruck coming close to having the impact he’s had consistently this year, that AA jacket is his.
Kozzie Pickett also had a big game and threatened to blow the game apart, but unfortunately couldn’t quite find a way. He had 11 kicks to half-time, the most of any player, and kicked a game-high four goals while also working hard defensively with six tackles.
Christian Salem also had a great first game back after recovering from a hamstring injury. He racked up 25 disposals and seven intercepts with a particularly strong first half. Alex Neal-Bullen and Jack Billings also had plenty of the ball with 24 and 23 disposals.
The new Collingwood?
Ok, Port definitely aren’t that good, but they are taking over Collingwood’s title as the close game kings.
Since losing to Melbourne in Round Three by seven points, they’ve gone on to win their next five games decided by 10 points or fewer. It’s gone a long way to seeing them now sitting in second place on the ladder behind Sydney and in the best possible position to finish in the top 4.
Had they not performed so well in the close contests, they would find themselves where Melbourne are. The Dees have not been so great in the close ones, with this being their second loss under a goal in three weeks, and their fourth for the year. It means their finals chances are now essentially over.
In a season like no other, could a little bit of belief be what gives Port the edge to finally go that extra step and make the grand final? Or will they once again fail to deliver when it matters most?
We’ll have our answer soon enough.
Time to wrap Todd Marshall in cotton wool?
It’s not been a great year for the Port forward. Being out of form and having a few injuries has seen him only just hanging onto his spot in the side, and despite Ken Hinkley’s statement that Marshall is still part of the team’s best 22, it really was only the injury to Mitch Georgiades that saw him play this week.
And unfortunately, it was only for half a game. He needed to be subbed off at half-time due to a concussion after having little impact on the game. Marshall has had multiple concussions in the past, and with his hip continuing to give him trouble, it does hint that maybe his 2024 season could be under a cloud. It would be a disappointing end for the forward, who promised so much a couple of years ago, but has been unable to replicate that form.
More seagulls than supporters
Richmond fans have been coping some flack lately for being fair-weather, but I think Melbourne supporters are deserving of some criticism too.
Saturday night, no rain, the team still fighting for finals, and no one showed up.
A measly 17,867 came to the MCG to watch this game and from the sound of it, a good chunk of them were Port supporters. In fact, it looked like the entire top stand may have been closed because the turn-out was so low. It’s a shame to see for the club which has around 64,000 members this year.
C’mon Dees fans, they haven’t been that bad this year.
Melbourne will head up to the coast to take on the Suns, who will be buzzing after their thrilling after the siren win over Essendon for their first win on the road. Yet, the Demons have held complete dominance over Gold Coast and haven’t lost against them since 2014. The Suns were able to break their hoodoo against Port Adelaide a few weeks ago though, and even with finals out of reach for both teams, this could still be an interesting contest.
For Port Adelaide, they now have to steel themselves to go up against their greatest rivals, the Adelaide Crows in the Showdown. The Crows have been enjoying these match-ups lately, claiming four of the last five, and no doubt it’s been a thorn in Port’s side. Predicting who’s going to win a showdown is about as pointless as trying to predict the outcomes of the MRO (it’s anyone’s guess what, if any, punishment Jordon Sweet will get for his chest hit on Clayton Oliver); no matter where these sides are on the ladder, either can win.
