Round 8 2006
From Snoutslouts
ROUND 8
GLENELG failed to end its 13-year losing streak at Alberton last Saturday, going down to Port Adelaide by 54 points in an uninspired performance.
A dismal third quarter in which Glenelg conceded 10.4 while only kicking 1.1 proved the difference, which was disappointing considering the evenness of the contest in the other three quarters.
Glenelg has led at quarter-time in every match this year and they started strongly again with only poor execution and a dominant performance by Clive Waterhouse stopping them from leading at half time.
It was a different story in the third quarter however, Glenelg were smashed at the stoppages, giving their backline little chance of stopping a rampaging Magpies unit.
Coach Mark Mickan said his side's inability to maintain competitiveness around the ball was the reason for the third quarter fade-out.
``For the first half we maintained good pressure around the ball and we were well and truly in it.
``In the third term we dropped away dramatically in that area and Port were way too good for us." Glenelg has now lost its past 10 encounters with Port and has not won at Alberton since 1993.
Mickan refused to concede his side was struggling to overcome a mental barrier when playing Port.
``I'd like to think not, (mental toughness) is an area we've really done a lot of work on this year.
``It's hard to understand why for one quarter our competitiveness drops away, I guess it is a mental thing.
``But whether that's just because it's Port I don't think so.
On-ballers Brett Backwell (24 disposals and 3 goals), Adam Fisher (32 disposals) and Mark Ruwoldt (26) were good contributors for the Tigers, while Thomas Logan and Jeff Smith battled hard across half forward.
The Tigers will spend the weekend off for the state game in third position (4-3) with home matches against Sturt and Norwood up next.
SCORES: Port Adelaide 3.1 7.7 17.11 19.15 (129) defeated Glenelg 3.2 7.7 8.8 10.15 (75).
BEST: Port - Waterhouse, Butcher, M. Clayton, DePasquale, Poulton; Glenelg - Backwell, Ruwoldt, Fisher, Logan, Smith.
GOALS: Port - Waterhouse 8, Poulton 3, M. Clayton, Harry, Meiklejohn 2, Butcher, Morrison; Glenelg - Backwell 3, Logan 2, Rogers, Reavill, Mitchell, Hinge, Allen.
See also: 2006
