PORT Adelaide has held off a persistent Collingwood by 28 points in star veteran Travis Boak’s 300th game to consolidate their position inside the AFL’s top-four.
After a week of adversity which saw their home game moved to Marvel Stadium due to South Australia’s lockdown, Port overcame a sluggish opening quarter to prevail with their 13th win of the season.
Collingwood (5-13, 15th) led by five points at quarter-time but a lower leg injury saw captain Scott Pendlebury subbed out at the first break and replaced by tall forward Mason Cox.
The Magpies were not the same in the gun midfielder’s absence, despite some brief periods of dominance, as Port cruised to victory 14.13 (97) to 10.9 (69).
It was far from the Power’s most clinical performance of the season but there was still plenty to like as young guns Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma all showed enough on return from injury.
Boak again showed there are still plenty of years left in his dazzling career, racking up 28 possessions as he became just the second Port player after Kane Cornes to reach 300 games.
Fellow midfielder Ollie Wines had another productive outing to further boost his Brownlow Medal prospects.
Power spearhead Charlie Dixon worked hard and capitalised on some lucky umpiring decisions to finish with four goals, with teammate Todd Marshall added three majors.
But Port ruckman Scott Lycett could face a nervous wait ahead of the match review officer’s ruling after making late contact with Magpies star Brodie Grundy during the third quarter.
Collingwood struggled for goal-kicking threats outside of Brody Mihocek (three) and exciting teenager Ollie Henry (two), but onballer Taylor Adams was by far the Magpies’ top performer.
Pendlebury will be assessed to the extent of his injury in coming days.
Port is due to face GWS next weekend while Collingwood is scheduled to host West Coast at the MCG.
(C) AAP 2021
PORT ADELAIDE 2.4 6.8 11.11 14.13 (97)
COLLINGWOOD 3.3 3.7 8.8 10.9 (69)
Goals: Port Adelaide: C Dixon 4 T Marshall 3 P Ladhams 2 B Woodcock C Rozee D Houston K Amon O Wines. Collingwood: B Mihocek 3 O Henry 2 D Cameron J de Goey J Elliott M Cox T Bianco.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Andrew Stephens, Paul Rebeschini.
Venue: Marvel Stadium.
