Australian Football

Match Report

We head to Alberton Oval for the match between the Magpies and the Bloods. The Magpies have taken just three matches from the past 11 contests, the Bloods taking the points back in Round 7 when they outran the Magpies at Richmond by 15 points. But the previous game at Alberton was a win to the black & whites, the final round of 2012 saw the 'Pies put a slight wobble into the Bloods finals plans with a 35-point victory. This match was considered to be the last match that a bonafide Magpies outfit was to play on its home turf, several players past and present making feelings known on social media.

The Magpies started the game best, they kicked 3.1 to the Bloods' 1.1 to lead by two goals at quarter-time. The gap would be widened by the long break, but inaccuracy kept the doors wide open for the Bloods as the 'Pies kicked 3.6 to 2.3 to lead by 21 points at the half-time siren. When play resumed, the Bloods would start to exercise control as they restricted the Magpies to just four behinds whilst scoring four goals without a miss to bring the deficit back to just one point at three quarter-time. It was going to end in heartbreak for Port in the end, they fought on and on just as previous generations had before them but not even West's inaccuracy would deny them victory. West's 2.6 to Port's 2.1 would see the visitors take a four-point win, Magpies supporters would then gather on the field with their team to share in their grief.

The Bloods would name Ryan Ferguson as their best on ground, while the Magpies named Luke Slattery as their best.