Port Adelaide’s quest for an AFL finals berth remains well and truly alive, with the side picking up an important round 15 win over fellow top-eight hopeful Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.
A nail-biting contest, the Power managed to hold on for a close 13.15 (93) to 13.13 (91) victory, with a late charge from the Suns unable to change the outcome of the game.
The clash at the Adelaide Oval was a big one for exports from across the Goulburn Valley, with three players leaving their mark on the contest.
For the victorious Port, Deniliquin’s Todd Marshall and Echuca’s Ollie Wines did their bit, with the duo putting in solid shifts.
Marshall kicked four crucial goals for the home side while Wines saw plenty of the ball in the middle, securing 26 disposals and seven clearances for the Power.
On the other side of the result was Kyabram export Nick Holman, with the Suns forward kicking a goal at the death to bring the margin to two points. However it was not meant to be for the visitors.
In the other Sunday afternoon contest, Collingwood picked up a hard-fought 11-point win over Greater Western Sydney.
The Magpies featured Tallygaroopna’s Steele Sidebottom and Euroa’s Jamie Elliott in the much-needed win, with both players performing well.
Elliott kicked two goals and three points on the day, while Sidebottom collected 26 disposals and four tackles for his efforts in the middle of the field.
For the Giants, Invergordon’s Lachie Ash kicked one goal and saw 17 touches, however it was not enough for his side to get over the line.
On Thursday night, Mooroopna export Clayton Oliver was among the action, picking up 35 touches as his Melbourne side cruised to victory against Brisbane at the MCG.
Oliver was in and around the contest, with the Demons’ number 13 collecting 21 contested possessions and 12 clearances.
It was an equally impressive victory for fellow 2021 grand finalist the Western Bulldogs over the weekend, with the Dogs securing a 42-point win over Hawthorn on Friday night.
Seymour’s Josh Schache kicked two goals and one point for the Bulldogs, while Kialla product Alex Keath picked up 18 disposals in the big win.
Rennie’s Daniel Howe had a solid game in the middle for the losing Hawks, with Howe joined by Benalla’s Harry Morrison on the defeated side.
Elsewhere over the weekend, Benalla’s Brodie Kemp featured for Carlton as his side downed Fremantle.
It was a disappointing day out for the Dockers, however Shepparton’s Will Brodie was a standout with 36 disposals and six tackles.
Brodie was joined by Moama’s Lachie Schultz and Seymour’s David Mundy in Fremantle colours in the defeat.
Finley’s Tom Hawkins had a quiet day at the office as Geelong downed Richmond by three points, while Shepparton’s Jordon Butts and Shepparton Swans product Josh Rachele featured as Adelaide cruised to victory against Mooroopna export Jy Simpkin’s North Melbourne in Hobart.