SANFL 2006 ROUND 17: GLENELG v PORT ADELAIDE

Finals at risk for Pies

By DALE CLARKE

PORT Magpies' finals position is in serious jeopardy after crashing to a third consecutive heavy defeat, the latest an 81-point hiding at Glenelg Oval.

Not even Port's great recent record against Glenelg, 10 consecutive victories since 2002, could save it on Sunday.

The result was just its second defeat in 19 starts against the Tigers since 1999.

The task does not get any easier, the club's next appointment is with reigning premier Central District on Saturday week.

In the meantime it will be forced to sit out during next weekend's bye, when a tenuous hold on fifth spot could be lost.

The black and whites were never in the hunt at Brighton Road, beginning with a disastrous first term when they managed just one goal, kicking with a stiff breeze, while conceding six at the other end.

By half-time the contest had well and truly been blown apart, with a shell-shocked Magpie outfit more than 10 goals in the red.

Port at least managed to find the scoring zone more often in the second half, booting 11 majors, but continued to concede on a regular basis as the Bays ran rampant.

Luke Slattery was Port's best with four goals, while Troy Butcher stood tall against his former team mates.

Eighteen-year-olds Steven Summerton (third game) and second-gamer Lindsay Thomas showed signs of a bright future at league level.

After the game, Port coach Tim Ginever said he was very concerned after his charges' poor showing.

“We had everything to play for, but matched (it) with no performance – we didn't give a yelp in the first half,” he said.

Port's boss said a finals position was still there to be taken by the club, but was not expecting an influx off its big injury list.

“Getting out of this mess, it's not going to be through getting players back, it's going to be through who's here, and who wants to stand up and play,” he said.

SCORES: Glenelg 6.2 14.5 20.5 27.14 (176) defeated Port Adelaide 1.5 3.9 9.11 14.11 (95).

BEST: Glenelg – Gibbs, Backwell, Mitchell, McConnell, Graham, Cranston, Allen, Moore; Port – Slattery, Butcher, Elstone, Lokan, Summerton.

GOALS: Glenelg - Gibbs 6, Duldig 4, Graham 3, Ruwoldt, Kirkby, McConnell 2, Panozzo, Smith, Mitchell, Rogers, Moore, Mules, Douglas, Yeomans; Port – Slattery 4, Butcher 3, AhChee 2, J. Clayton, Harry, Elstone, Meiklejohn, Maric.