Port Adelaide thrash St Kilda to affirm premiership credentials

Confronting Richmond at the MCG is the toughest challenge in the game according to a media claim as unbeaten Melbourne prepared for the Saturday night contest against the Tigers.

However, there would be plenty willing to back Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval as the current most imposing test after it demolished St Kilda by 54 points on Sunday night.

The Power continue to make significant statements and they had far too much class and firepower for a lacklustre Saints.

After being tipped to make a run at a top four spot, the Saints coughed up another substandard effort and the early season pressure on the club is mounting.

FINE DEBUT

The Power wasted little time throwing debutant Martin Frederick into the game, giving him his first taste of AFL action after seven minutes.

Shortly after, he took advantage of a poor kick from full back from former Power defender Dougal Howard. After marking unopposed in the centre square, Frederick bombed the ball long where Charlie Dixon attracted a crowd.

The ball spilt to Connor Rozee who goalled. Frederick got another touch in defence immediately after and continued to be active across half back.

WASTED CHANCES

After being belted by the Tigers last week, the Saints looked switched on early, but they wasted too many opportunities in front of goal.

The Saints won the inside 50 count for the opening term by an incredible 18-7.

The issue for the Saints was the Power’s ability to counter-attack with precision and the home side made the most of their visits deep into attack.

The Power nailed four goals and added a behind from their seven trips inside 50 with Steven Motlop kicking two of those majors.

MAKING THEIR MARK

There was a damning statistic for the first half which highlighted the defensive deficiencies of the Saints.

The Power had 81 marks and just seven were contested, such was the freedom gifted to them by the Saints. Karl Amon amassed 13 of those marks.

A supremacy in the clearances also aided the Power, who had 93 more possessions for the first two quarters, spreading with discipline and moving the ball with skill.

Apart from struggling to defend all over the ground, the Saints rarely threatened to add to their score.

POWER SWITCHED ON

It was just too easy for the Power in the third quarter. They dominated all facets of the game and tore the Saints apart in a dominant performance.

The Power were far more organised and their work ethic was simply far more superior. The term showed why the Power are a genuine premiership threat, while the Saints were woeful and seemingly lacking the passion for the fight.

PORT ADELAIDE 4.1 8.3 11.814.9 (93)

ST KILDA 1.4 2.5 3.7 5.9 (39)

BEST – Power: Wines, Amon, Jonas, Aliir, Houston, Boak, Lycett. Saints: Marshal, Ross, Steele.

GOALS – Power: Motlop, Fantasia 3, Georgiadis, Rozee, Dixon 2, Gray, Boak. Saints: Carlisle, Hill, Marshall, Higgins, Membrey.

INJURIES – Saints: Hill (ankle).

UMPIRES – Margetts, Findlay, Whetton.

VENUE Adelaide Oval

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

PARTLAND VOTES

3 Ollie Wines (Power)

2 Karl Amon (Power)

1 Tom Jonas (Power)