Australian Football

Match Report

Port Adelaide and St Kilda both went through tumultuous 2011 seasons. The Power won just three games and their entire place in the competition was scrutinized. Down at Seaford, the Saints’ season never got going after a disastrous start, and to finish the year, coach Ross Lyon left the club in controversial circumstances, switching to Fremantle. This game was always going to be important for both clubs. But it was the Power who came away with the victory, and they celebrated in scenes reminiscent to their 2004 Grand Final win. Matthew Primus’ side looked a completely different outfit to last year, with new recruits John McCarthy, Brad Ebert and 2011 draftee Chad Wingard providing genuine spark. They had an edge to their game that had been lacking and they dominated the Saints in contested ball; a trademark of St Kilda’s game under Lyon. The Power led for all but six minutes of the game and thoroughly deserved the win. Saints captain Nick Riewoldt reduced the margin to less than a goal with two minutes to go, after the Power looked in control throughout the last quarter. New St Kilda coach Scott Watters was critical of his players post-match, but there were some positives for the Saints. Mature-aged recruit Terry Milera was good on debut, while the form of much-maligned Justin Koschitzke was promising.

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Schulz, Butcher, Westhoff, Brad Ebert 2; Stewart McCarthy, Hartlett, Boak, Rodan
St Kilda: Koschitzke 3; Milne, Riewoldt, Dal Santo 2; Montagna, Stanley, Jones, Milera

BEST PLAYERS - AFL.COM.AU
Port Adelaide: Hartlett, Cornes, Brad Ebert, Redden, Chaplin, McCarthy
St Kilda: Dal Santo, Goddard, Steven, Hayes, Geary, Riewoldt.

BEST PLAYERS - THE AGE
Port Adelaide: Hartlett, Carlile, Thomas, Chaplin, K Cornes, Brad Ebert, McCarthy
St Kilda: Dal Santo, McEvoy, Goddard, Steven, Koschitzke.

COACHES COMMENTS
Matthew Primus (Port): It was great for the players to get some belief out of all the work we've done ... the platform it's given them is pretty good. We were able to keep finding match-ups and keep competing, which is what we've spoken about over the summer.

Scott Watters (StK): Ultimately, in a game where there was four or five points difference in the end, it really comes down to key fundamentals. Ultimately we need structures and players in particular who are going to go in there and win the footy.

Umpires: Schmitt, Kamolins, Fila.

Official crowd: 21,179 at AAMI Stadium