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Saints crush Power

St Kilda remains unbeaten

24/04/2009 11:48 PM

St Kilda has maintained its unbeaten run by thrashing a woeful Port Adelaide to the tune of 66 points at AAMI Stadium on Friday.

The Saints kicked 10.5 to 1.3 in the first half and then cruised after the break to run out convincing 15.12(102) to 5.6 (36)winners.

It's the first time since 1997 that St Kilda has beaten Port at AAMI Stadium.

The Badcoe Medal, which is awarded to the player that best exemplifies the Anzac spirit, was won by Lenny Hayes for his 32-disposal game.

Nick Riewoldt also led from the front with four goals, Stephen Milne was busy with three majors while Jason Gram, Sam Fisher and Brendon Goddard were other high possession winners.

Ross Lyon's boys will head home with top spot in their keeping and a robust percentage after dishing out their second thrashing in as many weeks.

If Power coach Mark Williams rated the Round 4 result against Hawthorn as the team's best home-and-away win then surely the debacle at West Lakes would be considered among their worst.

The Saints' pressure was outstanding but the Power didn't respond at all.

They couldn't find a way through the congested midfield and when they did get their hands on the footy they panicked like a team of rookies.

Reports on Troy Chaplin and Dean Brogan also highlighted their untidy approach. There have now been seven Power players reported in five matches.

And while they may retain their place in the eight at the weekend's end, the Power's fragilities from 2008 have resurfaced again.

St Kilda made a commanding start to the contest with precise kicking, vice-like tackles and quick movement from defence.

It was these attributes that opened up the game for its forwards with Riewoldt and Milne kicking two first-quarter goals each.

Port collected its fair share of the ball and entered its forward 50 more than its opposition. But they were constantly under pressure, giving the in-form Warren Tredrea little chance to get into the contest.

And in turn the home side had work ahead of it with the Saints racing to a 27-point buffer at the first break.

Riewoldt hung off the back off the pack and kicked his third major early in the second quarter after Chaplin and Josh Carr brought each other to ground in a marking contest.

It was sign of things to come for a frustrated Power which were no match for the Saints.

The Chaplin and Brogan reports weren't needed while Chad Cornes gave away an off-the-ball free kick when his team was in possession.

In contrast the visitors were disciplined, supreme at the contested ball and neat with their skills.

Perhaps the only criticism to be made surrounded their goal kicking – the team's unanswered 4.5 was not a true reflection of their dominance.

However Milne's skillful dribble from the boundary was a highlight and gave his team a 56-point buffer at half-time.

The punishment continued after the break with Hayes and Luke Ball scoring running goals in the opening two minutes.

Port's key forwards Daniel Motlop and Tredrea finally got on the scoreboard and the home side did increase their efforts marginally.

But they still made playing footy look like hard work with a cruising Saints increasing the difference to 65-points.

Adam Schneider and James Gwilt continued the sideshow with early fourth-quarter majors.

The Power jagged its own pair of goals through Chad Cornes and Tredrea but at that stage the game had all the intensity of an Auskick contest.

PORT ADELAIDE: 1.3, 1.3, 3,4, 5.6 (36)
ST KILDA: 6.0,10.5,13.9, 15.12 (102)

GOALS: PORT: Tredrea 2, Lade, Motlop, C.Cornes
ST KILDA: Riewoldt 4, Milne 3, Schneider 2, McQualter, Geary, Eddy, Hayes, Ball, Gwilt
BEST: PORT: K.Cornes, Krakouer, Boak, Salopek, Gray
ST KILDA: Hayes, Riewoldt, Milne, Goddard, Fisher, Gram, Ray, Geary
INJURIES: PORT: Carlile (hip), Logan (concussion)
ST KILDA: King (hamstring)
REPORTS: Troy Chaplin reported in the second quarter by umpire Chris Donlon for high contact on Nick Riewoldt. Dean Brogan reported in the second quarter by umpire Michael Avon for forceful front-on conduct with Farren Ray by umpire Michael Avon.
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Donlon, Kennedy, Avon
CROWD: 25,426 at the AAMI STADIUM

 
Comments
Posted by 40 Degrees S at
24/04/2009 11:33 PM
Could it be that Port are satisfied with showing the football world that they could win an AFL flag, and they'd now be content with going back to being the Big Fish in the small SANFL pond once again? It is clear that their fans are no longer all that interested in supporting their AFL efforts.
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