A dominant second quarter has paved the way for Melbourne to record a highly-impressive 31-point win against Port Adelaide.
The Dees are now back on top of the ladder for the time being, having bounced back in perfect style after their surprise defeat to the Giants last week.
To add insult to injury for Ken Hinkley’s men, there’s also serious concerns once again for Zak Butters, who was subbed out of the game with a suspected medial knee injury.
It’s a cruel blow for the exciting forward, who was making his AFL return after being sidelined since Round 4.
“This is a huge story for Port Adelaide’s season if there’s any significant to Zak Butters’ knee,” Kane Cornes said on AFL Nation.
Cornes also turned the blowtorch on Ken Hinkley's selection decisions, saying Peter Ladhams should have played over Todd Marshall.
“Ken Hickey is going to have to cop some criticism for his selections,” he said.
“He’s been really loyal to Todd Marshall, but Peter Ladhams was showing something.
"They’ve also been too tall in defence, which has forced Allir Allir forward. Hinkley will have to live with that during the week.”
The opening stages resembled a game of chess, with two of the best sides in the competition feeling each other out in front of a heaving Adelaide Oval crowd.
But as the quarter wore on, the game opened up as the Dees kicked the last two of the quarter to take an early lead before piling on five goals to three in the second term.
Thursday night’s blockbuster was one of those occasions where every goal felt big, and every moment of magnitude felt that much more important given what was on the line.
It was a battle of styles for most of the evening, with the Power clearly intent on holding onto the ball to try and nullify Melbourne’s defensive aerial threat, while the Dees looked to make the most of having the extra tall in Ben Brown back in the team and looked to play quickly as a result.
All eyes were on Brown after he was recalled this week, but it was Tom McDonald and Kysaiah Pickett (three goals) who landed up being Melbourne’s most direct avenue to goal on the night, while Christian Petracca was also prolific forward of centre with three majors.
Much has been made of Simon Goodwin’s side in recent weeks and their losses to Collingwood and GWS, but on Thursday night they took control against a top side and reminded the football world of their credential amongst the game’s bests.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The question: Port Adelaide cannot be trusted against the game’s best sides
It’s one of the big issues surrounding Port Adelaide.
After Thursday night’s loss to Melbourne, the Power have now won just two of seven games against top eight sides in the competition.
It’s arguably the biggest problem for Ken Hinkley to try solve ahead of the finals, with questions on how they acquit themselves against the best sides set to linger until they can consistency prevail against the leading contenders.
The mark of the year contender: Mitch Georgiades flies high
It may have been a disappointing night for the home fans, but the Adelaide Oval crowd were on their feet early in the third term as Georgiades flew from the back of the pack and over Max Gawn to take one of the best grabs we’ve seen all season.
Georgiades was an important cog in the Power forward line, even more so with Charlie Dixon being well held by Max Gawn around the ground, something Kane Cornes pointed out on AFL Nation throughout the game.
"Gawn is playing on Charlie Dixon whenever he gets the chance behind the ball,” he said.
"It's freeing up (Steven) May and Dixon is frustrated by it.”
Mitch Georgiades. 🚀🚀pic.twitter.com/BP3HmhECBy#AFLPowerDees
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) July 8, 2021
What’s next?
Port Adelaide is off to Melbourne next Saturday, with a tricky assignment against the Saints to come at Marvel Stadium.
While for Melbourne, they’ll be looking for another victory as they take on Hawthorn at the MCG.
FULL SCORE
Port Adelaide: 2.2, 5.3, 7.5, 8.7 (55)
Melbourne: 3.2, 8.4, 10.9, 12.14 (86)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 2, DIxon 2, Rozee, Wines, Amon, McKenzie
Melbourne: McDonald 3, Petracca 3, Pickett 3, Fritsch, Jackson, Spargo
BEST
Port Adelaide: Georgiades, Wines, Amon, Boak, Drew
Melbourne: McDonald, Petracca, Pickett, Salem, Oliver, Petracca
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Butters (knee)
Melbourne: nil