While one Aussie Power was proving his mettle in the IndyCar Grand Prix, another Power, the collective one that is the Port Adelaide Power, was showing the city of Addie which AFL side is the rulers of the roost to this stage, at least, of the Toyota 2018 AFL Premiership competition.
The Power beat the Crows 95 – 90, in a close game that came down to Port’s kicking 11 behinds to the Crows’ six. Both sides kicked 14 majors.
Over 50,000 Addies showed up to observe and at the outset, it appeared as though the Crows were out to send a message. They enjoyed a 26 – 9 margin after the first quarters and they increased their advantage to 51 – 30 at the main break.
The Power surge was on in the third quarter, however, as Port kicked seven goals to two for the Crows to seize a 12-point advantage, after which they held on for the win, despite kicking just three goals to the Crows’ four in the final period.
The score was closer than some of the key statistics would seem to indicate, but the Power had a sizeable advantage of 75 disposals, a marked edge in free kicks, tackles and clearances.
The other team that left no uncertainty as to its 2018 prospects was the West Coast Eagles, who beat the Greater Western Sydney Giants handily in front of a meagre crowd of under 10,000 at Spotless Stadium.
West Coast matched pace with 2017 premiers Richmond Tigers with 28 premiership points following the first eight rounds of the season.
As for the standings in Adelaide, the Power sits in the eighth spot, tied on 20 premiership points with the Crows, who currently rank fourth and are beginning to show signs of their old selves, as they slowly creep back up in terms of percentage to near the realm the side has occupied over the past two seasons.
Both sides have won five and lost three. There will be a rematch in Round 20.
