Australian Football

Match Report

The action now brings us to Saturday afternoon, the ABC cameras taking us to Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval in Woodville for the Battle of the Birds, the Eagles taking on the Magpies. The last dozen outings between the rival birds of Port Road have seen the Eagles win nine to the Magpies' four. Port's last victory was the beginning of the Eagles' early season premiership hangover when they opened 2012 at Thebarton. But the Eagles took out the following two matches, a 33-point win at Alberton in Round 13 and a three-point escape at Woodville in Round 21.

The Eagles confidence would have been at an all-time high after their victory against the reigning premiers last week at The Parade, but the Magpies were a constant threat early on. Only some poor shooting on goal by Port would stop them taking a quarter-time lead as the Eagles held a three-point lead at the first change after kicking 3.1 to 2.4. The two sides exchanged a few major blows on the board in the second term, each taking two goals with the Eagles' two behinds putting them slightly further ahead. At the half-time break, the home side held a five-point lead. When play resumed, the Magpies managed to reel the Eagles back in and would find themselves ahead by a point at the final change after kicking 5.3 to 4.3. But the Eagles left some vital fuel for the final term and with the aid of a strong wind went on a seven goal to two romp to take out a 29-point win.

Luke Jarrad would be named best for the Eagles, while Port named Samuel Gray as their standout.