SANFL 2006 ROUND 15: PORT ADELAIDE v WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS

Pies go missing at home

By ERIC WELTNER

A BIG opportunity to consolidate an all-important top three position was missed by the Port Magpies after a second half fade-out at Alberton on Saturday.

After big wins in its previous two outings, Port's credibility as a genuine premiership contender took a big dent at the hands of the in-form Eagles.

The task does not get any easier for the Magpies, with injury and report concerns to deal with before hosting top side North Adelaide this Saturday.

Kicking against the breeze, Port soon found itself under the pump as the Eagles surged, but kept in touch due to accurate goalkicking.

Corey “Big Cat” Ah Chee and speedster Luke Slattery ignited a strong Magpie comeback, booting two goals each during the second term.

Port took the narrowest of leads into the long break, but lost control during the third quarter when it was unable to score a major.

At three quarter-time coach Tim Ginever told his charges they were still a good chance coming home with the breeze, but the Eagles held sway to finish the game off strongly. After the game a disappointed Ginever conceded the Eagles were superior in most areas.

He said he was looking forward to Saturday's clash with top side North.

“It's a challenge we want to really have a crack at when our guys are switched on,” Ginever said.

“When we're fair dinkum about what we do, we're a good side.”

SCORES: Woodville-West Torrens 7.5 10.6 15.7 19.11 (125) defeated Port Adelaide 4.2 10.7 10.10 12.11 (83).

BEST: Eagles - Colville, Lindsay, Inkster, Bock, Symmons, Grocke, Cicolella; Port - Biacsi, Slattery, Lokan, Ilett.

GOALS: Eagles - Grocke 4, Passador, Inkster, Westbrook 3, Treeby, Symmons, Lindsay, Cicolella, Skipworth, Jacobs; Port - Biacsi 3, Harry, De Pasquale, Slattery, Ah Chee 2, Waterhouse.