Port Adelaide have come away with a scrappy 9.12 (66) to 9.10 (64) win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG after Oliver Florent's shot after the side fell just short of the goal line.
The major concern for the Swans was the concussion to key defender Paddy McCartin early in the match.
McCartin face planted on the ground in a contest with Todd Marshall within the opening minutes of the contest. The 26-year-old was stumbling and visibly dazed in the hands of the trainers. Given his condition and his unfortunate history with concussion, McCartin was subbed out five minutes into the match.
Despite the defender’s early injury, his teammates established a 17-point lead at the first change. Former Port ruckman Peter Ladhams kicked the first major of the match after eight minutes courtesy of a free kick. Logan McDonald booted the second major for the Swans after a brain fade from Dan Houston who was pinged for a deliberate rushed behind.
Port were matching the Swans in every key stat on the field but their skills were consistently letting them down with captain Tom Jonas being the biggest offender as he missed multiple targets.
The Swans dominated the second quarter but were wasteful in front of goal as Tom PapleyIsaac Heeney missed regulation set shots for players of their stature. Port finally got their first goal of the match after 45 minutes of the game through a tremendous snap from Sam Powell-Pepper.
Jeremy Finlayson, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis made it four goals in a row for Port in quick succession. The two sides entered the main break locked out on 30 points apiece despite Port being outplayed for the majority of the first half.
Former Sydney cult hero Aliir Aliir was tasked with shutting down Lance Franklin and did an exceptional job as he limited Franklin’s influence to just eight touches and 0.1. Franklin's frustration led to several free kicks against him as Aliir grew in confidence as the match continued.
Finlayson booted his second goal early in the third quarter through a dubious holding the ball call against Ladhams. The match became an arm-wrestle during the third quarter with neither side able to capitalise on turnovers as both sides looked clunky with ball in hand.
Oliver Florent finally booted Sydney’s fifth goal after 16 minutes into the third term to get the scores back on even terms. McDonald then booted his second of the match five minutes later to regain the lead for the Swans after several repeat inside 50’s.
After being kept quiet for most of the game, Chad Warner set the SCG alight as he began to find the ball regularly and kicked a sensational running goal to extend Sydney’s lead to 14 points at the final change.
After missing his first three shots on goal, Heeney delivered when it mattered and kicked the first goal of the final quarter. At 20 points down, Port Adelaide began to throw everything at the Swans and after four straight behinds, Todd Marshall and Connor Rozee kicked two quick goals to reduce the margin back to four points.
Jed McEntee then kicked his first goal of the match to give Port Adelaide the unlikeliest of leads with just five minutes remaining. It was a thrilling final few minutes but a careless 50-metre penalty from Charlie Dixon put Nick Blakey in range and made no mistake. Finlayson then booted his third goal to hand back the lead to Port.
However, there was one final twist as Florent marked inside 50 and had a shot after the siren. The kick looked perfect off the boot however, the shot at goal fell inches short of the goal line and Port Adelaide extended their winning streak over the Swans to seven games.
IT DIDN'T GET THERE!
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 8, 2023
PORT ADELAIDE WIN!!#AFLSwansPower pic.twitter.com/k2hTpRbEDi
Zak Butters was among Port Adelaide’s best with 33 touches, six marks and two tackles whilst Finlayson (18 disposals, eight marks and 3.1) and Xavier Duursma (22 disposals and four tackles) also contributed heavily.
Despite a heartbreaking end to his night, Florent was the best on ground for both sides with 33 disposals, six marks , two tackles and a goal. Warner (30 possessions, five tackles and nine clearances) was also sensational.
Port Adelaide now return home for Gather Round and crucially, have their second win of the season and host the Western Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval in Round 5.
The Swans suffered their second consecutive loss and will aim to bounce back against Richmond in Adelaide on Friday night.