1. One of the matches of the year
The Dogs came into this needing a win on the road for genuine credibility, not to mention their top-four chances. The Power needed a top-eight scalp for their credibility, and their finals chances. Both teams had plenty to play for, and it showed. The opening term was one of the hottest of the season to date and neither side gave an inch. The intensity continued into the second term. Port, at times, looked the better team but the Dogs kept responding like good teams do. They underlined their premiership credentials with a character-building win. It was one of the best, most physical and most exciting matches of the season.
2. The bad and brilliant of Stringer
There's little inbetween with Jake Stringer and for 20 minutes it appeared the bad might cost his side the match. The mercurial forward dropped an uncontested mark within kicking distance just as the Dogs appeared to be going for the jugular during the third term. Another goal at that point would have put the Bulldogs 14 points ahead. Instead Port kicked the next three to lead by nine points at the final change. But then the brilliant Stinger emerged in the fourth term. He kicked two cracking goals and also produced a critical piece of defending to deny Port a certain goal. The young star really stood tall in the frenetic final term.
3. Resilient Bulldogs
It was during the second quarter, which saw the Bulldogs underline their premiership credentials when they were under siege by a fired-up Port. The Power had 10 of the first 11 inside-50s during the second term and laid a staggering 37 tackles for the quarter. Dogs star Luke Dahlhaus left the ground with a knee injury in the first term and didn't return. Lesser teams would have folded under the onslaught. But the Bulldogs, statistically the League's best defence this season, held firm. They conceded just two goals for the term and withstood the deluge before countering just before half-time when Tory Dickson goaled to give them the lead. The Dogs continued to repel Port surges during the second half to hold on for arguably their best win of the year.
4. Port is playing as well as it has in 18 months
Coach Ken Hinkley has long insisted that it was the Power's manic pressure, and not their exciting ball movement, which made them very effective. On the evidence of the past three weeks, Hinkley was spot on. The Power's tackling pressure was poor earlier this season and they were very easy to score against. On Saturday, the Power were manic, especially during the second term when they pummeled the Dogs with ferocious forward-half pressure. Unfortunately for the Power they couldn't convert their chances and were made to pay. It will be fleeting consolation for Hinkley but his side is playing good football again, despite some key injuries.
5. Redpath was Dunstall-esque
"Lead out, chest mark, kick, goal." Popular ABC radio comic musicians The Coodabeens, coined the lyrics in reference to Hawks champ Jason Dunstall during the '90s. For a term Jack Redbpath was Dunstall re-born and his midfield seemed like it comprised Darren Jarman, John Platten and company. The timing of Redpath's first quarter lead-out marking was superb, and the delivery in to him was a flashback to the Hawks in the '90s. His conversion was superb and he had three goals by quarter-time. He then faded out of the match but put the stamp on his game with a strong contested mark and goal in the final term. The Dogs' ability hit lead-up forwards and take their chances was a feature of this win
