A fresh Port Adelaide has cruised to a massive 50-point victory over Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, although at the expense of All-Australian ruckman, Paddy Ryder.
The Port superstar is believed to have sustained an Achilles injury during the third quarter, with the extent of the injury yet to be determined.
Despite the harrowing injury, Port's newest recruits immediately impressed and thrived off their impressive 16.14 over the Dockers' 9.6.
It was a slow quarter of football which kicked off Saturday afternoon's match, with the first major not being scored until midway through the term.
Fremantle stamped their presence early, keeping the ball locked in their forward half for 98 per cent of the play, yet only mustered an inaccurate 1.4 for the term.
Ex-Demon Jack Watts broke through the Fremantle wall and opened up proceedings, beginning an influx of Power goals.
New recruits Steven Motlop, Tom Rockliff and Watts didn’t disappoint for their new club, capitalising on Dockers lack of conversions with majors of their own and ending the first term 27 points in front of the Dockers.
Once again, Fremantle started the second term controlling field position, with five of the first six forward 50 entries, but it was still Port Adelaide who had the upper hand.
Port were able able to effectively transition the ball from their defence and subsequently convert, with all five of their second-quarter goals launched from four turnovers in their defensive half.
But Fremantle was determined to stay in the game, kicking three quick goals in a row in the last minute of the term.
Lachie Neale’s 22 disposals along with Nat Fyfe’s 14 at half-time helped keep Fremantle afloat, leaving the margin at a reachable 21 points.
The duo finished their day with 38 and 22 disposals respectively, proving to be one of Fremantle's few shining lights in their sizeable defeat.
Although Port Adelaide suffered an injury scare following a groin strain to Jared Polec in the previous quarter, the defender soon returned to the field and played out the rest of the game.
Yet an assumed Achilles injury to Paddy Ryder saw the 2017 All-Australian miss the remainder of the game, with fears the ruckman could miss a large portion of the season.
The woes worsened for the Power, with Dougal Howard going down with a knee injury after recently returning from an ACL rupture last season.
Despite their losses, Port Adelaide continued to dominate with numbers ahead of the ball, kicking the first two goals of the third quarter.
Port Adelaide seemed to have the game under control in all aspects at three-quarter time, and ultimately won the clearance count 45-35 at match end.
Determined to begin the season 1-0, the new-look Port Adelaide outfit continued to expand the gap, booting the first goal in the final quarter.
Although the Dockers tried to narrow the margin, Port Adelaide were too strong in their defence - their frenetic energy and the hunger for the ball unable to be matched by the Dockers.
Fremantle had nine individual goalkickers for the match, yet none kicked more than one.
Port Adelaide's defence was integral to this, with Riley Bonner crucial in the defensive half for the Power, ending his day with 31 possessions and helping thwart several goal opportunities by the Dockers.
Port will surge into next week hoping to make it 2-0 against Sydney, while the Dockers will face off against the emphatic Bombers at home.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.3 8.7 14.10 16.14 (110)
FREMANTLE 1.4 5.4 7.6 9.6 (60)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Todd Marshall 4, Jack Watts 3, Steven Motlop 2, Charlie Dixon 2, Ryder, Boak, Rockliff, Gray, Dixon
Fremantle: Fyfe, Wilson, McCarthy, Walters, Matera, B. Hill, Langdon, Taberner, Sandilands
BEST
Port Adelaide: Watts, Motlop, Bonner, Westhoff, Powell-Pepper.
Fremantle: Neale, Fyfe, Sandilands, Matera
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Ryder (achilles), Howard (knee)
Fremantle: Nil
TALKING POINTS
1. PORT'S NEW RECRUITS ARE CERTAINLY PROVING THEMSELVES
Port Adelaide's extensive pre-season trading has proven to be a masterstroke.
Former Cat Steven Motlop and ex-Demon Jack Watts proved to their new club and fans that they will not disappoint.
In yesterday's match, both players gave with outstanding performances in the forward, with Watts scoring three goals racking up 20 disposals, while Motlop scored two majors with 19 disposals.
Along with Dom Barry and Tom Rockliff, the new recruits showed they will be a dominating force within Port Adelaide’s side, players we will definitely have to keep an eye on throughout the season.
2. THE DOCKERS HAVE POTENTIAL
In both the first and second term, Fremantle started strong and managed to keep the ball locked in the forward half - at one point, their time in the forward half was at 98 per cent.
There’s lots of potential within the side, with Lachie Neale continuing his stellar form last year with 38 possessions.
But what the Dockers are lacking in is the conversions to goals.
Their high percentage of turnovers throughout the game - mostly from the defensive end of the ground - is where the Dockers lost their momentum, and ultimately cost them the game.
An attainable 21-point margin at half-time and their high percentage of the ball in their forward 50 shows the Dockers do have potential to give teams a run for their money.
3. PADDY RYDER'S INJURY COULD SPELL TROUBLE
2017 All-Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder sat out the second half of the game with an injured left Achilles, leaving serious question marks over how the Power will go for the centre bounces.
Scans on Monday will determine the extent of damage, but Ryder will definitely miss next week's match against Sydney.
After missing the 2016 season due to the Essendon's supplement saga, the 29-year old - despite missing a lengthy period of football - was sensational last year winning Port Adelaide’s best and fairest.
Ryder's absence could have a huge impact on the club, for not only next week’s game against Sydney, but for the remainder of the season.
4. PORT WILL BE GENUINE PREMIERSHIP CONTENDERS
Port's dominance and control over the ball proved they are serious contenders for this year’s premiership, after a series of disappointing finals campaigns.
The Power were good all over the ground ending the match with 439 disposals, 45 clearances and 146 contested possessions.
Port's new recruits were a great asset in capitalising on Fremantle’s lack of conversions, ending the game with intercepts at 10.9 per cent compared to Fremantle’s 4.3 per cent.
Despite their slow start, Port continued to build the momentum and in the second half dictated most of the play.
If they can do this on repeat occasions, the Power will be a genuine threat to fellow premiership contenders.
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