Port Adelaide are a critical power to be reckoned with in 2023.
The Power made it 10 straight wins after taking good care of business on Friday night time in opposition to the Western Bulldogs underneath the roof at Marvel Stadium.
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In a contest that was a real arm wrestle within the opening half, Port Adelaide flicked the change within the second half and solidified their spot within the high two on the ladder.
The Bulldogs fought again within the fourth quarter and regarded to have the momentum, that was till maligned younger star Jason Horne-Francis entered the equation.
Arguably essentially the most focused participant within the league this season, the teenager once more heard boos within the opening portion of the competition.
But one second of pure brilliance with the sport on the road left the footy world in utter disbelief.
A protracted kick inside Port Adelaide’s 50 resulted within the ball hitting the deck in open area. Horne-Francis turned on the jets as he burned two opponents to get to the footy first.
At full pace, and as cool because the flip facet of the pillow, he leant down together with his proper hand and scooped the ball up earlier than turning on a dime again in the direction of objective.
As he straightened up he calmly slotted the ball over the objective umpires head and prolonged the lead out to 14 factors.
The second despatched the AFL world into meltdown with many praising the younger star for producing a second of magic with the sport up for grabs.
Triple M’s Rudi Edsall wrote: “That is INCREDIBLE by Horne-Francis!!”
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote: “The pick up. The u turn. The finish. Magical.”
Fox Sports’ Ben Waterworth wrote: “My word what a play. The Butters composure, acceleration and shrewd handball … the Horne-Francis gather at full speed then composure to kick the clutch goal. As good as it gets.”
The Age’s Andrew Wu wrote: “Jason Horne-Francis. My goodness.”
The membership’s unprecedented run of victories began after membership legend Warren Tredrea described Hinkley’s tenure as “untenable”, unwittingly sparking a “reverse curse” for the group he captained to their sole AFL premiership in 2004.
The 16.11 (107) to 13.7 (85) end result continued a worrying droop for the Bulldogs who’re vulnerable to slipping out of the highest eight this weekend after beginning the yr with a glowing 7-3 document.
Star midfielder Zak Butters continued his stellar season as he paved the way for his group with 31 disposals (12 contested), six clearances, 5 tackles and a objective.
Charlie Dixon returned to the group with an outstanding show as he kicked a game-high 4 objectives.
The Power could make it 11 straight wins subsequent Thursday once they tackle Geelong again at Adelaide Oval.
Champion midfielder Marcus Bontempelli’s Brownlow hopes might be hanging within the steadiness as his Western Bulldogs slumped to their third loss in a row on Friday night time in opposition to Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.
Bontempelli collided with the Power’s Dan Houston within the second quarter because the pair contested a unfastened ball, and in doing so made heavy contact with Houston’s shoulder/head area, dazing the Port defender for just a few seconds.
Houston dusted himself off and resumed taking part in, however given the present local weather surrounding head knocks within the AFL, particularly scorching on the heels of St Kilda ahead Dan Butler’s one-week suspension for his deal with on Sydney’s Nick Blakey on Thursday night time, Bontempelli might be staring down the barrel of a suspension.
– with Ronny Lerner, NCA Newswire
Source: www.news.com.au
