‘Completely dominant’: Power ‘shell-shocked’ in finals ‘annihilation as Giants eye prelim

Port Adelaide has been jumped by a red-hot Giants in a first-half “annihilation” in Saturday night’s semi-final from Adelaide Oval.

The Power were smashed in contested possessions (-18), uncontested possessions (-62), clearances (-16) and inside 50s (-9) to trail by 29 points at the main break.

With it, Ken Hinkley’s side is now staring down the prospect of following Melbourne’s path and getting knocked out of the finals in straight sets.

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The Power are under the pump(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

It left the home fans at Adelaide Oval stunned — and silenced — as they watched on while their side got belted on their home deck.

“Shell-shocked here at the Adelaide Oval, the Port Adelaide crowd are a bit stunned at the moment,” Channel 7’s Luke Darcy noted.

The rest of the footy world didn’t hold back in their assessment of the one-sided contest.

“It’s 29 points … it feels like 10 goals. They are completely dominant the Giants,” three-time Coleman medallist Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy

“They are completely running riot and Port look powerless to stop them.”

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Dual premiership Kangaroo David Kangaroo pointed out that the Power’s star-studded midfield had uncharacteristically lowered its colours.

“You normally get a lesson at clearances from the Port Adelaide Power, their dominance is their trio in there — (Jason) Horne-Francis, (Zak) Butters and (Connor) Rozee. That hasn’t been the case tonight.

“Of the 29 clearances won by GWS, they’ve gone inside 50 17 times. The AFL average is 20 from clearance per game, so 17 in a half is a ridiculous number.

“They are smashing them.”

Saints legend Leigh Montagna added: “It’s been a powerful display, they are running rings around them at times.

“A little fightback late in that quarter, but for big parts of that second term, the Giants were doing as they pleased.”

The Giants were meanwhile lauded for their first-half dominance, led by usual suspects Stephen Coniglio 922 touches, one goal), Lachie Whitfield (19 disposals), Tom Green (17 disposals), Josh Kelly (15 possessions, one goal) Jesse Hogan (3.2) and Toby Greene (2.2)

It continues a remarkable turnaround under first year coach Adam Kingsley after the club’s third-bottom finish last year.