Australian Football

Match Report

The second match for the day was the 2nd Semi-Final, the Eagles facing the Magpies with a Grand Final spot up for grabs. The Magpies hold the record for most appearances in the 2nd Semi, with 26 win from 49 matches. Their last victory in a 2nd Semi-Final was in 1999, defeating the Eagles by 43 points on their way to that year's premiership. Subsequent appearances in 2005 and 2014 ended in losses to the Bulldogs and the Redlegs. Port also carries the highest score in a 2nd Semi, kicking 24.20 (164) against Sturt in 1980 before winning that year's premiership against Norwood. Before the merger, West Torrens played in four games for three wins -- with a victory and loss against Port amongst them -- while Woodville never featured. From 1991, the Eagles have played in 10 games for four wins including the last two against the Bloods and the Blues respectively. The Eagles first appearance in this match was in 1992, the Magpies handing them a 39-point loss as they bowed out in the Preliminary Final the following week. Things were far better for them the following season, their first successful finals campaign starting with a record 74-point smashing of Port in 1993 before winning the flag against Norwood. The next season however, while they belted Port again in the 2nd Semi, only two weeks later the Magpies well and truly turned the tables in the decider.

This year's encounters between the two sides saw the Eagles take out both, beginning with a 21-point win at Alberton in Round 6, then by 27 points at Woodville in Round 11. But the minor premiers have been a bit off their game for the past month, only winning one of their last four games and that 11-point win against Adelaide wasn't terribly convincing. Port on the other hand, after falling in Round 13 to the Dogs, hadn't dropped points. Despite losing three AFL-listed players as a consequence of the Power's elimination on Saturday, the Magpies still bossed the opening term despite their inaccuracy. They kicked 5.5 to the Eagles' single poster to lead by 34 points at the first change. The Eagles finally found their way through the big sticks in the second term, but only managed to chip a single goal off the gap by the long break. The Eagles scored 3.1 to Port's 2.1, the 'Pies lead cut to 28 points come half-time. Some goal-kicking yips crept into the Magpies' game during the third term, but the Eagles weren't doing any better at the other end. The Magpies scored 1.5 to the Eagles' four behinds as the deficit went out to 35 points. There was to be no catch up from here, but there was no final term blitz from either side. The Magpies booked their spot in the decider with a 33-point win, kicking 2.2 to the Eagles' 2.4 to finish the afternoon. 

Jarrod Lienert was named best afield for Port, the Eagles named Chris Hall as their standout.