Port Adelaide’s season has officially come to a close, with the killer blow being a shocking 71-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night’s Preliminary Final.
While the margin may suggest the Power were simply outclassed, they actually entered the game as hot favourites, with an extra week of rest than the Dogs and with the benefit of home ground advantage.
With little injury concerns as well compared to their opponent, many were expecting Port Adelaide to make their first Grand Final in 14 years.
Due to the pre-game advantages they held, Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney described the Power’s lacklustre performance as a “choke”.
“It is the epitome of a choke,” Cooney said on AFL Nation.
“You can't explain it any other way because they (Port Adelaide) had the rail run. No injuries, everything going their way, home prelim, having the week off.
“To put up the performance they did the first quarter, when you’re not fatigued, unless it comes out in the next two days that they had the ‘Geelong’ virus that 12 players were sick in the lead up to the game.
“There are no excuses for that first quarter.”
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes was equally shocked with the result, believing such a poor performance could have serious knock-on effects in future years.
"Shocked is the word that comes to mind,” Cornes said on AFL Nation.
“It was set up so well for Port Adelaide. I'm in shock with the performance.
“It will leave a lasting dent.”
The loss marks the second season in a row that the Power have fallen in a home Preliminary Final after winning in week one.
The Western Bulldogs take a week off before they face Melbourne in the 2021 Grand Final on September 25 at Optus Stadium.