Power too slick for SUNS in dour affair
The Age
Andrew Stafford
This was never going to be pretty. A deep, slow-moving band of rain moved across south-east Queensland ahead of and throughout this game, against two teams – Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast SUNS – whose seasons had delivered far less than promised and with little but old-fashioned pride to play for.
The football was old fashioned, too, both sides prepared to drive the ball forward in the wet condition without much regard for niceties. That made for plenty of niggle, which erupted at half-time in a melee that left SUNS captain Tom Lynch shirtless and probably facing scrutiny from the match review panel in the coming week.
It'll certainly leave a number of players from both sides with lighter pockets ahead of their pre-season trips; the culmination of a year of frustration and unfulfilled expectations for both clubs. The Power prevailed with their fifth win in six games, moving them to 11wins with Fremantle to come, but they've left their run too late.
Power on in the wet for win over SUNS
Courier Mail
Andrew Hamilton
TEMPERS frayed and punches were thrown as the SUNS lost their last home game of a disappointing season by 37 points to Port Adelaide.
The old-school melee complete with punches and torn jumpers was the major highlight from a dour battle for the 9343 who braved the rain at Metricon Stadium.
The players were not the only one to vent their frustration with SUNS coach Rodney Eade revealing he would contact umpires boss Wayne Campbell over what he saw as a lop-sided free kick count.
“It was one-way I thought, I would certainly like some of our forwards to get protection at times, that would be handy,’’ he said.
Port has also endured a tough year but will be heartened by a strong finish to the season.
Port adapt to wet and burn SUNS
The Advertiser
Richard Earle
ANGRY Gold Coast brought back the biff at a sodden Metricon Stadium but Port Adelaide showed Charlie Dixon there are brighter days down south.
Coveted spearhead Dixon boosted his asking value with three goals including one boundary-line gem. However Karl Amon illustrated Port’s burgeoning internal stocks with three magical snap majors to cash in on his recall.
Port continues to provide its 60,000 members incentive to renew with five wins in six games despite missing September action. A 12th victory beckons against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval next Saturday.
Port prevailed by 37 points in a game where the result was largely immaterial but there was feeling. A spiteful melee triggered by a Brendon Matera tackle on Power forward Angus Monfries before halftime saw SUNS firebrand Tom Lynch appear to unleash a flurry of punches on Cam O’Shea.
