Australian Football

Match Report

In the final match of Round 18, the Magpies braced themselves for a Bulldog assault at Alberton Oval. The last encounter between the Dogs and their Port-side nemesis saw a cracker under the lights of Elizabeth, the 'Pies unlucky not to cause an upset as Centrals took a 14 point win. 

Port Adelaide's last win against the reigning premier was back in 2006, but another win was a while away as the Dogs opened up proceedings with a 7.3 to 2.3 first quarter to be up by 30 points at the first change. The Dogs seemed to go to sleep for about five minutes in the second term as the Pies made a run at them, but the lead was only cut by five points by half-time after Port kicked 4.1 to 3.2. That was about as close as Port would get at the breaks, the Dogs outscoring them for the rest of the game. When play restarted, Centrals added 3.4 to the scoreboard to Port's 2.1 to re-establish their dominance and take a 34 point lead at the final change. An inaccurate final term for the visitors prevented a bigger margin from happening, a further 3.6 to the Magpies' three goals saw the Dogs take a 40 point win. 

Brayden O'Hara was named best for Centrals, while Port voted in Brad Murray for best afield honours.