SANFL 2006 ROUND 13:
STURT v PORT ADELAIDE
Poulton pulverises lowly Sturt
By ROB BIDMEADE
A RESURGENT Port has climbed to third position on the ladder after its
75-point drubbing of a lacklustre Sturt at Adelaide Oval last Saturday.
But it faces a big test to retain this lofty position when it meets the
second-placed Eagles at Alberton Oval this Saturday.
When these teams met in round six, the Magpies won by 14
points, so they should approach Saturday's game with confidence.
Port will get a further guide to its premiership hopes this season when
it meets league leader North at Alberton in the next round.
After struggling to shake off a persistent Sturt in the first half last
Saturday, the Magpies went into overdrive after half-time.
The Double Blues drew to within four points early in the third quarter
but Port dominated play after that.
The Magpies scored seven goals to two for the term to lead by 45 points
at the last change. Then Port kicked another eight goals to three in the final
quarter for a percentage-boosting victory.
This was only Port's second victory in the past six games against Sturt
to indicate the change in the teams' fortunes this season.
The Magpies are on the way up while the Double Blues are battling to
avoid the wooden spoon.
Veteran Jared Poulton, 29, was the shining
light for the Magpies with 28 kicks, 11 marks, seven handpasses and three
goals.
He ran all day and left his younger opponents in his wake to be clearly
best afield.
Poulton received strong support from
defender turned forward Corey Ah Chee, who marked
well and kicked four goals.
Others to do well for the Magpies were elusive midfielder Jeremy
Clayton and captain Mark Clayton, who also was used in
attack rather than in defence against the Double Blues.
Coach Tim Ginever was delighted with the
team's display in the second half but the Magpies will need to produce that for
four quarters to trouble the league leaders in North and the Eagles.
After the two challenging games, Port will be away against Glenelg and
then it will have the bye.
SCORES: Port
BEST: Port - Poulton,
AhChee, J. Clayton, M. Clayton, Morrison, Harry,
Waterhouse, Ilett; Sturt - O'Keefe, Whiteman, Sheedy, Wicks,
Paley, Colreavy.
GOALS: Port - AhChee
4, Waterhouse, Poulton 3, M. Clayton, Slattery 2, J.
Clayton, Davis, Harry, Elstone, Ilett,
Baird, Summerton, DePasquale, Biacsi;
Sturt - Paley
3, Chambers, Squire 2, Whiteman, Weatherald, Rischbieth, Thurstans.