A late comeback has seen Hawthorn depart Adelaide Oval with some dignity, but not the win, after being demolished early in the contest by Port Adelaide.
The Power were on track to break all sorts of records after booting 16 goals in the first half, becoming the first team in five years to score over 100 points at half-time.
But Sam Mitchell’s Hawks have shown to be plucky in 2023 and booted eight of the final ten majors to restore some credibility and reduce the final margin to 55 points.
It’s not a position that will bring joy for many wearing the brown and gold, but one that prevented a defeat that looked set to be the worst seen for quite some time. The lead grew to 96 points early in the final term.
Nevertheless, Port Adelaide’s dominance will lead the talkback as Ken Hinkley’s side brought the intensity early.
It’s the first time Port has kicked over 145 points since 2017 and falls just short of the club’s highest-ever score at Adelaide Oval, the 159 kicked against the Brisbane Lions in 2016.
It was all the Jeremy Finlayson show early, booting four goals in the first term before going on to finish with five. He was moved higher up the ground as the game progressed, comfortably finishing as his side’s best.
Todd Marshall also made a successful return from injury with five goals, while Junior Rioli fired back to form with four majors of his own.
Connor Rozee and Zak Butters continued their form as one of the competition’s leading midfield duos to be the best on-baller on the ground.
Despite the smashing, the 96 points is Hawthorn’s second-highest score of the year, while it’s Port Adelaide’s second-highest score conceded in 2023.
Another highlight saw Luke Breust kick his 500th goal early in the day and end as one of his side’s best with a total of five.
The win extends Port’s record to nine on the trot, with a chance to make it 10 against the Bulldogs next week.
FULL SCORE
Port Adelaide: 9.3, 16.9, 21.12, 23.15. (151)
Hawthorn: 2.3, 3.5, 8.8, 14.12. (96)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Finlayson 5, Marshall 5, Rioli 4, Houston 2, McEntee, Byrne-Jones, Burton, Butters, Rozee, Wines, Horne-Francis
Hawthorn: Breust 5, Lewis 3, Brockman, Impey, Amon, Macdonald, Newcombe, Butler,
BEST
Port Adelaide: Finlayson, Butters, Marshall, Rozee, Houston
Hawthorn: Impey, Breust, Lewis, Hardwick, Amon
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: N/A
Hawthorn: N/A