Port Adelaide has survived a dangerous Essendon side to claim their fifth straight win, taking down the Bombers by five points at Adelaide Oval.
The Power were almost victims of their own inaccuracy in this clash, consistently overwhelming the Bombers with their surging attack but continually failing to hit the scoreboard.
Essendon was the polar opposite of the Power through the first three quarters, leading the bulk of the match entirely through their precise goalkicking.
Archie Perkins snaps truly.#AFLPowerDons pic.twitter.com/rYrrXHGJEX
— AFL (@AFL) May 7, 2023
Yet Port Adelaide’s lauded surging attack refused to die in spite of repeated frustrating misses, taking the lead back at the end of the third term through sheer force of will.
Port Adelaide have the first goal of the second half thanks to this snap from Powell-Pepper.#AFLPowerDons pic.twitter.com/bjFjrBGjv4
— AFL (@AFL) May 7, 2023
The stage was then set for a dramatic final term, which delivered all the drama footy fans could have hoped for.
Both sides traded goals and the lead throughout the final quarter, including multiple occasions where a draw looked to be the most likely outcome.
It all looked to be over after Port kicked three straight goals midway through the quarter, yet an immediate answer from Jake Stringer kept the Bombers within reach.
The clash reached its crescendo in the dying stages when Andrew Phillips had a chance to tie the match with a set shot from outside 50, yet couldn’t quite muster enough on the kick to add another twist to the tale.
This left Port Adelaide with a victory that was far more nerve-wracking than it should have been, surviving by less than a goal despite having 10 more scoring shots.
The young midfield combination of Zak Butters and Connor Rozee was deadly in front of the home crowd, both stuffing the stat sheet with over 25 touches.
Despite the inaccuracy, the Power forwards were still able to hit the scoreboard, with Junior Rioli, Charlie Dixon and Darcy Byrne-Jones each booting multiple goals.
While the Power will be glad to escape with the win, their troubles aren’t behind them, as Junior Rioli could be in hot water after off-ball contact with Jordan Ridley, resulting in the Bomber being subbed out under concussion protocols.
Jordan Ridley has been subbed out following this incident.#AFLPowerDons pic.twitter.com/giP2EOSzRS
— AFL (@AFL) May 7, 2023
While the Bombers couldn’t quite get the job done, Brad Scott would certainly be happy with many of Essendon’s individual performances.
Kyle Langford, Archie Perkins, Jake Stringer and Sam Weideman all got the job done in front of goal, each booting multiple majors, while Darcy Parish was back at his ball magnet best with 37 touches.
Port Adelaide will now look to stretch their win streak to six games next week against North Melbourne, while Essendon will have their hands full when they head up north to take on Brisbane.
FULL SCORE
Port Adelaide: 3.4, 5.11, 9.16, 12.20 (92)
Essendon: 6.1, 9.1, 11.3, 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Rioli 2, Dixon 2, Byrne-Jones 2, Finlayson, Boak, Marshall, Powell-Pepper, McEntee, Rozee
Essendon: Langford 2, Perkins 2, Stringer 2, Weideman 2, Merrett, Caldwell, Hobbs, McDonald-Tipungwuti
BEST
Port Adelaide: Butters, Rozee, Drew, Dixon, Boak
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Draper, Langford, Redman