The Power is Back on at Alberton
The Power’s season is back on track after defeating Carlton at Alberton Oval on Sunday night. The 8.10.58 to 3.5.23 win is Port’s second of the season and leaves them one win outside the eight with five games remaining.
Port had no shortage of standout players, with Abbey Dowrick (21 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances) and Maria Moloney (16 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances) among the leading disposal getters.
For Carlton, Mimi Hill (29 disposals) and Keeley Sherar (28 disposals) set the tone early.
In a frantic first term, Carlton were all over Port Adelaide for the opening 10 minutes of the contest. Carlton’s pressure on the footy was elite, as they were able to win the ball out of the middle.
Led by Lily Goss, Mimi Hill and Keeley Sherar early, the Blues were able to force repeat 50 entry after repeat 50 entry. It was the experience of Darcy Vescio that put through Carlton’s only goal for the quarter.
Port’s best moment in the first came with Olivia Levicki’s goal. That moment switched the Power on.
In the second term, it was Port Adelaide with the fast start. Carlton was overusing the football by hand, and the game was beginning to favour the Power.
Abbey Dowrick was starting to get busy, along with Shineah Goody, who was turning the momentum in the game. Up forward, the second term belonged to Gemma Houghton.
For her first, Maria Moloney kicked the ball inside 50 and Houghton was able to take a pack mark. The former Docker then played on, and snapped the ball to deliver Port some breathing room from 35 metres out.
With moments to go in the second quarter, Wendland was able to drive the ball into Houghton. Houghton from a set shot was just able to shape the football back for her second.
With the Power in cruise control, it would take a piece of individual brilliance for the Blues to gain on the scoreboard.
14 minutes into the third quarter, that brilliance came when Breann Moody took the bouncing football from mid-air and snapped a goal.
Sachi Syme replied moments later for the Power, as the premiership quarter didn’t heed any further advantages to either team on the scoreboard.
It was Hill’s seven disposals that offered the Blues a positive for the third. However, Carlton’s pressure dropped, and Port were able to get the loose ball first every time. The third quarter was all the Power, as Port gave Carlton the blues.
Carlton got the first goal of the last through Jessica Dal Pos. Five minutes later, Port were able to kill the contest when Teakle turned and snapped true. The Alberton crowd were able to celebrate a return to the winners list.
Piper Window’s first goal in AFLW was wonderfully worked. Arriving quickly on the scene she was able to pick the football up in the forward pocket. From there she straightened up and kicked the ball through the big sticks. The celebration said it all.
Ball movement
Both teams had their moments in the game. However, it was Port’s ball movement that made the difference. A lot of that was driven by Molly Brooksby. Playing off half back, Brooksby’s decision making and execution was important for Port Adelaide’s transition from defensive 50. Brooksby had assistance from Levicki and Foley further up the ground, while fellow defender Germach was also helpful.
For Carlton, Hill, Sherar, Goss and Robertson got a lot of the ball (the Blues won disposals 280-230). However, Carlton turned the ball over repeatedly in dangerous areas of the ground.
Inaccuracy
In the first, Carlton’s inaccuracy also made life easy for Port. Carlton’s lead at the quarter-time break was two points, despite having two extra scoring shots.
Inaccuracy would hurt Port in the third, much as it did for Carlton in the first. Port kicked 1.3 to Carlton’s 1.0 straight, and could’ve killed the game heading into the last.
Port Adelaide: 1.1 3.5 4.8 8.10.58
Carlton Blues: 1.3 1.5 2.5 3.5.23
Goalkickers:
Port Adelaide:
Houghton (2), Levicki, Moloney, Saint, Syme, Teakle, Window
Carlton Blues:
Dal Pos, Moody, Vescio
Best:
Port Adelaide:
Dowrick, Houghton, Brooksby
Carlton Blues:
Goss, Hill, Sherar