Charlie, Electrical power flex their muscle tissue to shake off Swans

A Qualified Port Adelaide device has finished enough to reclaim best location with a earn towards a spirited Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

Holding a 32-position half-time buffer, the Electricity appeared established to canter to victory right before having their foot off the pedal to allow the Swans back into the contest.

Ability v SWANS Whole match coverage and stats

The people acquired in 18 points at the last split prior to Charlie Dixon’s breathtaking fourth purpose early in the past expression swung back the momentum for the Power, who received 11.7 (73) to 7.5 (47). 

Just after Geelong fleetingly held top rated spot pursuing victory above the Western Bulldogs on Friday evening, the Electricity wrested it back again with just a few video games remaining in their time. 

ROUNDS 14-18 Check out the comprehensive fixture

Port champion Robbie Gray starred in the opening term with two majors and 11 disposals as the Swans were being suffocated by the property side’s forward tension. 

Ken Hinkley’s adult males registered 11 forward 50 tackles in the opening term in advance of placing up their imposing guide at the major split through a 30-10 clearance dominance.  

A number of tactical moves – including Aliir Aliir into the ruck, Callum Sinclair ahead and Tom McCartin to defence – experienced the Swans keep the Electrical power goalless in the third expression. 

The Swans could have bridged the margin a lot more at the last crack had they taken their possibilities in entrance of purpose. 

THE LADDER Wherever is your group sitting?

But Dixon’s fourth – and 27th of the year – early in the previous expression fended off the Swans and stored the spearhead inside sight of Coleman Medal leader Tom Hawkins (35). 

Tom Rockliff, Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper mixed for 18 clearances, though Gray finished with a sport-significant 10 score involvements to be the finest man on the ground.

Battle of Nic Nat’s understudies
Scott Lycett (2018) and Callum Sinclair (2015) the two departed West Coast to come to be No.1 ruckmen just after expending time driving Nic Naitanui. On Saturday, Lycett took the factors as they met again. The Energy dominated the initially-50 % clearances 30-10, regardless of Sinclair foremost the Swans to a 21-19 hitout rely. It prompted Swans coach John Longmire to swing Sinclair ahead, with Aliir Aliir changing him in the middle to arrest the differential and Tom McCartin shifting back again and keeping his very own on Charlie Dixon. The only dampener on Lycett’s day was a brutal falcon during the 3rd phrase. 

Butters melts beneath no stress
Electrical power next-calendar year sensation Zak Butters appeared set to waltz into an open purpose and increase his side’s guide for the duration of the to start with team. But right after two quick bounces, Butters stumbled ahead of hyper-extending his remaining knee in what appeared a horrible incident. Fortuitously, it had no effects on his working day, the 19-calendar year-previous continuing his sizzling modern form to finish with 13 disposals and a goal. 

Ebert’s horrible egg soon after head clash
Right after a effectively-documented collection of concussions, Brad Ebert’s large head knock experienced the Electrical power officials keeping their breath in the third expression. The veteran was taken from the floor for assessment prior to re-emerging with a monster egg on his appropriate cheekbone. Very, he returned to the industry in the ultimate expression to perform out the match.

PORT ADELAIDE         4.3       8.3       8.4       11.7 (73)
SYDNEY                       3.1       3.1       5.4       7.5 (47)

Objectives
Port Adelaide: Dixon 4, Grey 2, Sutcliffe, Boak, Wines, Butters, Westhoff
Sydney: Reid 2, Papley, Sinclair, Dawson, Blakey, Bell

Most effective
Port Adelaide: Grey, Wines, Rockliff, Dixon, Boak, Powell-Pepper, Lycett
Sydney: Kennedy, Lloyd, Dawson, Papley, Clarke, McCartin 

Accidents
Port Adelaide: Ebert (cheekbone)
Sydney: Nil