Australian Football

Match Report

The rest of the weekend's matches take place on Saturday afternoon, the first of which would play out at the Prospect Oval where the Roosters faced the Magpies. The Roosters won on both occasions in Season 2022, starting with a 47-point win at Alberton in Round 8. The Magpies reeled back a four-goal quarter-time deficit to a 10-point gap by half-time, but were then held to just one goal as North kicked six goals for the entire second half. But then came Round 13, where the Roosters inflicted one of Port's most embarrassing losses in history. Against a heavily weakened side, the Roosters won by 21 goals. Port kicked just 1.4 that day, the loss becoming a new unwanted record against the red & whites, which was previously 83 points from early 1971. The Roosters' confidence has taken a bit of a beating lately, with losses to Adelaide and then Glenelg prior to the state match bye. The Magpies on the other hand have won their last three, including a fortnight ago against South at Alberton. The Magpies were controlling the bulk of the first half, but the Roosters weren't shrinking violets themselves, no doubt having a time on the track in the lead up to this outing. Port would only lead by a goal at quarter-time, with the board reading 3.2 to 2.2 to begin the day's proceedings. The lead would change hands and scores tied multiple times in the second quarter with the two sides going on a shootout. Port would only add a single point to their earlier advantage, altogether Port scored 5.1 to the Roosters' five goals without a miss to see the 'Pies up by seven at the long break. The Roosters returned from the break on a mission, albeit not capitalising on all their chances. Port blew come of their own as well as the Roosters seized the lead going into the final change. They kicked 4.7 to 2.3, a nine-point advantage to the Roosters at three quarter-time. Another shootout quarter would ensue to finish off the action, North extended their lead to 20 points late in the term with their 4.1 to 2.2. The Magpies kicked a pair of late majors, but that is as close as they got as the Roosters emerged triumphant by eight points. Aaron Young was North's best on ground with 30 disposals, 12 clearances and winning six free kicks. For the Magpies, it was Josh Sinn with 24 disposals, seven marks and two goals.