Port Adelaide has won on the road for the first time in their AFLW history, completing a big comeback to beat St Kilda at Moorabbin Oval.
The Power trailed by as much as 20 points in the third quarter, before making use of the wind in the final quarter to finish with an 8.8 (56) to 7.6 (48) victory.
The Saints appeared destined to secure their first points of 2023 when Jesse Wardlaw nudged their lead beyond three goals in the third quarter.
But forwards Hannah Ewings and Indy Tahau kicked four goals between them to give Port Adelaide the edge, before skipper Erin Phillips nailed the sealer, her first goal in Power colours, for the win.
Port Adelaide midfielders Phillips (20 disposals and six clearances) and Abbey Dowrick (24 touches, nine clearances, 567 metres gained) didn’t stop while youngster Matilda Scholz and Tahau were a strong ruck combination.
St Kilda’s Jaimee Lambert kicked two goals and racked up 16 disposals and nine tackles in a tireless performance, supported by Hannah Priest and Olivia Vesely.
The Power’s Ashleigh Saint slotted two early goals, as did St Kilda’s Darcy Guttridge.
The Saints worked their way into the game and led by six points at half-time and after Lambert and Wardlaw goaled in quick succession, they appeared on track to claim victory.
Instead, the Power kicked the next five goals.
Port’s Janelle Cuthbertson and St Kilda’s J’Noemi Anderson had to come off after a nasty head clash in the third quarter, with the latter concussed and unable to return.
Port Adelaide cut the deficit to five points before three-quarter time via a bizarre Tahau goal.
Tahau’s running shot landed on the goal line and seemed destined to go through for a point before the ball bounced at right angles and hit the goal umpire.
After a discussion with the field umpire, it was ruled a goal.
Early in the final term, Saint handballed to Ewings, who kicked an extraordinary long-range goal to put the Power in front.
Tahau and Phillips struck to seal an impressive comeback win.
AAP/ABC
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Source: AFL NEWS ABC
