An edge in class and composure saw Port Adelaide secure victory against the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval today.

While the Eagles persisted until the death, Port controlled the play for the vast majority of the game as they won by 40 points – 16.13 (109) to 10.9 (69).

The Eagles were in the game early, but Port broke away in the second quarter to lead by six goals at the main break and essentially held that advantage for the remainder of the match.

00:38

Darling wins the race to the halted Sherrin

West Coast forward Jack Darling kicks an unusual goal as the footy stops during live play

A lack of polish saw the Eagles fail to capitalise on some opportunities and Port, through the agency of classy midfielders Connor Rozee and Willem Drew and forward Jeremy Finlayson, who kicked five goals, ensured the hosts had the edge.

While Port broke the game open in the second term to create a match-winning break, the Eagles persisted after half-time and were outscored by just four points.

The result may have been disappointing, but there were some encouraging signs with ruckman Bailey Williams producing arguable the best game of his evolving career, Jai Culley, who played forward rather than through the midfield and Jake Waterman continued a strong run of form.

Williams had 21 possessions, 13 clearances and 37 hit outs in a strong performance carrying most of the burden in the ruck.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Bailey J. Williams of the Eagles and Ollie Lord of the Power during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on April 22, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

Culley played forward and kicked four goals to work alongside key forwards Oscar Allen and Jack Darling to demonstrate a second string to his bow.

Experienced midfielders Tim Kelly (34 possessions, eight clearances) and Andrew Gaff (32 possessions, four clearances) worked hard while defenders Liam Duggan and Tom Barrass (17 possessions and 10 marks) and were also important.

Unfortunately captain Luke Shuey, resuming from a hamstring strain, had his ankle trapped in a tackle in the first quarter and while he battled on bravely he was subbed out of the game in the third term.

Details
Port Adelaide                    3.2          9.6          13.9        16.13     109
West Coast Eagles            2.3          3.6          7.8          10.9          69

Goals – Port Adelaide: Finlayson 5; Burton, Rioli, Rozee, Byrne-Jones 2; Powell-Pepper, Drew, Lord. West Coast Eagles: Culley 4; Allen, Darling 2; Waterman, Petruccelle.

Best – Port Adelaide: Rozee, Finlayson, Drew, Butters, Aliir, Byrne-Jones.
West Coast Eagles: Kelly, Williams, Gaff, Barrass, Culley, Duggan.

Injuries – Port Adelaide: Marshall (concussion)   West Coast Eagles: Shuey (ankle)