Australian Football

Match Report

The football action would begin with four games on the Saturday afternoon, the first taking us to the harbour of Port Adelaide and into the Alberton Oval where the Magpies took on the Bulldogs. Amazingly these sides hadn't clashed this season until now, in 2023 when they last fought at Queen Street in Round 9 the Dogs couldn't take advantage of the 'Pies inaccuracy as they went down by 23 points. But then the Bulldogs ended the Magpies season over the course of two consecutive weeks, with a come-from-behind 15-point win in Round 18 at the Ponderosa, then the Elimination Final at Adelaide Oval by seven points. Port were brought crashing back down to earth by the Redlegs in their 83-point hammering at The Parade, while the Dogs came off their bye after a win against South at home. Despite the rain staying away, the turnout was probably the worst in Alberton's history with just under 1000 fronting up. The Magpies seemed to have the Dogs measure early, but couldn't make too much impact on the board with a 1.3 to 0.2 opening term to lead by seven points at the first change. Centrals shook off the week-off webs in the second term, only one last major to the 'Pies allowed them to stay in the lead at the long break. The Dogs kicked 4.2 to 3.3, bringing the gap back to a mere two points come half-time. The Magpies' spirited first half would then go straight to hell when play resumed, the Bulldogs finding another gear to ram through 6.1 to the home side's three behinds. At three quarter-time, the Dogs now led by 32 points. Port managed to find the big sticks again in the final quarter, but the Dogs held firm despite being outscored 3.2 to 2.1. It was one of their most efficient second half displays since Round 4 where they kicked 14.6, they would leave the Magpies nest with a 25-point victory as well as lifting to third on the league ladder. Aiden Grace did plenty with what he could muster, named best for the Bulldogs with 15 disposals, eight marks and three goals. Dante Visentini was by far Port's best afield with 44 hit-outs in ruck, 19 disposals, seven tackles and marks as well as five clearances.