Round 2
	V
Melbourne 16.13 (109)		Port Adelaide 11.16 (82)

Port Adelaide fell to a resurgent Melbourne by 27 points at the MCG today after the Demons controlled the first half before the Power rallied in the third term only to be overrun in the final term.

With the scores level at three-quarter-time, the Demons banged a couple of consecutive goals early in the last quarter to cement the 16.13 (109) to 11.16 (82) victory before a disappointing crowd of 19,611.

Port was unable to capitalise on its seven inside-50s in the second quarter, scoring eight points, many of them rushed behinds, adding just one goal to Nick Stevens late in the term.But having harassed and effectively blanketed the Demons with flooding tactics, Port proceeded to kick the opening four goals of the third quarter to finally realise the team's snowballing momentum. And when Matthew Primus - getting into the match after being dominated by Jeff White in the ruck - drilled a set shot from 50 meters out to level the scores twelve minutes into the quarter, the signs looked ominous for the Dees. However, with the Demons sticking to their marking-leading avenue to goal and ultimately triumphing over Port's flooding tactics, a seven-goal final term saw them run out worthy victors.

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams said his team - playing its only scheduled match at the MCG this year - was perhaps flattered by increased hype and expectation, following its pre-season premiership.

"I think it's pretty obvious we're not as good as we think we are and a lot of what you people would think we are as well. To fight back and be in a position to win the game at the start of the last quarter, I'm really disappointed in how the last quarter went," he said.

"I thought we had a lot of opportunities through the second and third quarter to be a bit in front. And most aspects of the game we got beaten on today, and that's very, very disappointing. I don't think we had too many winners at all on the whole ground," Williams said.

FOOTY REPORT ARCHIVE

Click here to read in depth, sometimes controversial, but always thought provoking previous round reports...