Again, as was the case last week, a series of missed shots when all the momentum was going our way cost the boys their first win of the season. Four straight behinds, all kicked within gettable distance, were tough to take, but with 'Boomer', 'Harro', 'Wellsy' and second-gamer Lindsay Thomas getting on top in the midfield, it appeared only a matter of time before we hit the front.
After we got within six points midway through the final term, Port steadied to kick two late ones to blow the final margin out to 18, which was probably not a fair indication of how close we came to snatching a rousing win on the road.
As with last week, there were enough positives in the game to dull the pain of defeat. To score more than 100 points – something we managed to do only three times last year – was pleasing.
That said, the fact that we had just three multiple goalscorers (compared with the Power’s six) was probably the deciding factor and is something we will have to address as the year goes on.
While the hit-out count was 35-25 in the Power’s favour, our rucks were again terrific. All Australian ruckman Brendon Lade was virtually unsighted when he ventured forward, with Drew Petrie continuing his brilliant form as the Roos’ No.1 tall defender.
Hamish McIntosh dulled the usual influence of Lade and his rucking partner Dean Brogan in the all-important centre-square contests, however his midfield mates weren’t able to take advantage across the four quarters.
Among the rookies, Aaron Edwards looked dangerous in the second half, presenting well in the forward line. Fellow youngsters Matt Riggio, David Trotter and Lachlan Hansen will also benefit from playing a tense game in front of a typically partisan Port Adelaide crowd.
News from the Roos’ VFL affiliates was also encouraging, as Cal Urch and Matt Campbell found themselves among the goals for North Ballarat, while Ben Ross and Scotty McMahon impressed with Tasmania.
Just as encouraging was the fact that Urch, Blake Grima and Jesse Smith, who have all had injury-interrupted pre-seasons, made it through the first VFL round unscathed.
Next week, we face Hawthorn for our first hit-out at the Dome in the regular season. It’d be great to see the boys rewarded for their encouraging form in the early stages of 2007.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
