SANFL 2006 ROUND 21: PORT ADELAIDE v STURT

Finals not enough – Ginever

By ERIC WELTNER

PORT Adelaide Magpies will participate in the major round this season after walloping rookie-laden Sturt by 102 points at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

Losses by South and Glenelg on the weekend have also ensured Port cannot miss the finals next month, however coach Tim Ginever is not content with merely making up the numbers.

“I'm still determined to finish third, I want the double chance, that's where premierships are won,” he said.

To achieve that goal, the Magpies will have to take their game to a new level, and maintain the consistency for the full four quarters, despite a comprehensive victory on Saturday.

Port's strong first half set up the win – its resolute defence hardly allowed the Blues a sniff, condeding just one goal, while at the other end Clive Waterhouse ran amok to boot five of his seven majors for the game.

However the black-and-whites fell back into some bad habits after the long break.

“The third quarter was garbage, absolute garbage,” Ginever said.

After copping a fearful tongue-lashing at three-quarter time, Ginever's charges responded with a strong last term.

Port's boss said he was happy overall with Port's efforts despite its errant third stanza.

Jeremy Clayton's second successive Magarey Medal is looking a strong possibility after another dominant performance, Crow-listed Scott Stevens was a leading light up forward, while the club welcomed a return to form by tall recruit Shane Morrison.

Key defenders Corey AhChee and John Baird marshalled Port's strong back half and captain Mark Clayton was superb, despite a crude Sturt attempt to iron him out early.

Top ranked Woodville-West Torrens will give Port a chance to test where it is really at when the two sides meet at Woodville Oval on Sunday.

SCORES: Port Adelaide 6.2 12.7 14.10 21.15 (141) defeated Sturt 1.2 1.3 3.6 5.9 (39).

BEST: Port – J.Clayton, M.Clayton, Ah Chee, Baird; Sturt – Weatherald, Nelson, Sheedy, Smith.

GOALS: Port – Waterhouse 7, J.Clayton 6, Stevens 2, Jenner, Maric, Summerton, Davis, Thomas, Butcher; Sturt – Hurley, Chambers, Jarjoura, Jarvis, Button.