Port Adelaide’s season went from bad worse against Melbourne and their woes were summed up by an absolute shocker of a miss.
Port Adelaide’s season went from bad worse with a dismal 32-point loss to Melbourne on Thursday night, which was summed up by a shocking botched goal.
The Demons dominated the first three quarters before the Power finished strong in a 10.8 (68) to 4.12 (36) drubbing.
It was never going to get easier against the Demons but the first half in particular was horrific for the Power.
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It was 1.3 (9) to 0.3 (3) at the end of the first quarter and it got so much worse in the second term as Melbourne kicked away to a 6.6 (42) to 0.5 (5) lead.
It was the first time in the club’s history Port Adelaide has not kicked a goal in the first half of a match.
The Power’s woes were summed up by a disastrous passage of play midway through the third quarter when youngster Mitch Georgiades somehow butchered a certain goal.
The forward was streaming towards goal, took a couple of bounces and dodged a player to get to the goalsquare.
Clearly in two minds, Georgiades opted not to handpass to an open teammate and have a go himself, but his shot on goal was smothered.
He regathered the ball and shovelled it out to Sam Mayes, who appeared to have snapped through a major.
But a video review showed Melbourne’s James Jordon had touched the ball off the boot and the goal was changed to a behind.
Viewers were stunned by Port’s comedy of errors.
“Oh no!” Channel 7 commentator Jason Bennett exclaimed.
AFL great Shaun Burgoyne added: “In the end (Georgiades) just confused himself, didn’t know whether to kick the goal or handpass.”
Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb tweeted: “Oh my god … that’s the funniest blown goal I’ve seen in the last 10 years of Aussie rules at any level.
“Hahahaha. I’m in tears laughing. He could’ve kicked that goal 5 times and instead absolutely cooked it.
“What makes it comedy gold is how skilful Georgiades had to be to screw it up in such spectacular fashion. Anyone can shank a kick from point blank — only a star could do this.”
Power coach Ken Hinkley defended Georgiades in hist post-match press conference.
“He’s a learning player, he’s quite an exciting player, but he’s a player that still has much to learn,” Hinkley said.
“He’s a young player who hasn’t played much football at AFL level.
“I’m optimistic around Mitch Georgiades.
“If he’s our biggest problem I think we’re heading in the right direction.
“He gets opportunities every week to score. I think that’s a really, really significant point.”
The butchered goal wasn’t the only time Port shot themselves in the foot.
Todd Marshall had a long range shot to avoid the dreaded record of going into halftime without a single goal, but Zak Butters threw the Demons’ Jake Bowey to the turf.
It meant the free kick was reversed and the last chance to score a major in the first half was gone.
The Power are winless after four games — it’s the first time they’ve started the season 0-4 since 2008.
