2nd Qualifying Final
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Port Adelaide 13.10 (88)		Sydney 15.10 (100)

Port Adelaide is in danger of becoming the serial chokers of Australian sport after crashing to another inglorious finals defeat at the hands of an inspired Sydney at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

The Swans not only overcame the absence through injury of star trio Jason Ball, Michael O’Loughlin and Jason Saddington but then lost Tadhg Kenneally, Brad Seymour and Stephen Doyle to injuries during the game.

But after destroying Port with a devastating 11 goal to four first half, the gallant Swans then hung on in a gripping second half to score an unforgettable 15.10 (100) to 13.10 (88) victory.

The Swans’ incredible victory – easily the biggest upset of the 2003 season – gives Paul Roos’ courageous side a week off to get over their numerous injuries and then a home preliminary final at Telstra Stadium against either Brisbane or Adelaide.

But as for Port Adelaide it appears their dreams of a first AFL premiership are in tatters again after a performance that again exposed Mark Williams’ side as being mentally weak under finals pressure.

The fact the Power topped the home and away ladder by three games counted for little as they were humiliated by an inspired Sydney midfield in the first half.

And while the Power will still enjoy home advantage for next weekend’s knockout semi-final against Essendon, it has blown all chance of a home preliminary final for the second successive year.

Should Port get over Essendon next week – as they did in the corresponding game last year after its shock 2002 qualifying final loss to Collingwood – then they would face the in-form Magpies at the MCG in a preliminary final.

But whether the Power can recover from yet another shattering blow in front of their home fans is highly debatable after Port yet again saved their worst performance of the season for when it most counted.

It was a Power supporter’s worst nightmare in the first half as Sydney – given virtually no chance before the game – played magnificent football with athletic ruckman Adam Goodes the inspiration behind the Swans’ first half dominance.

With Goodes dominating the ruck, the Swans won the ball out of the middle at will and also smashed the Power at the all-important clearances and stoppages.

Goodes had 14 posessions to half-time alone and received tremendous support from his midfield runners Nic Fosdike, Brett Kirk, Daryn Cresswell, Paul Williams and Stuart Maxfield, who made the Power look second-rate with their non-stop running and brilliant link play.

And in attack the Swans had Barry Hall to finish off their good work with Hall kicking a match-winning six goals – including three in the Swans’ seven goal to one second quarter burst.

But while the Swans dominated, the Power were simply abysmal as this was the day the absence through injury of skipper Matthew Primus and star on-baller Josh Francou really came back to haunt the Power.

While Port has coped admirably without the pair during the home and away season, it was a different story on Sunday as without Primus, Goodes was virtually allowed to do as he pleased against a totally outclassed Dean Brogan while Francou was badly missed at the stoppages which were dominated by the likes of the inspirational Kirk.

As the Power went further and further behind – their fans in the disappointing crowd of less than 34,000 could not help showing their displeasure at the now traditional Port finals failure.

The home crowd began to sense the Power would lose their sixth final in seven matches as early as the second term as each mistake by the home side was met with groans of despair from the home fans.

In contrast some of the Swans’ teamwork was breathtaking and incredibly the Swans should have led by even more than 40 points at half-time as Hall missed two simple set shots during the first half.

The Port charge belatedly came in the third quarter, as they were helped by some questionable umpiring decisions, but the Swans’ backline was superb with Andrew Schauble, who was tremendous against Warren Tredrea, leading the resistance.

The brave Leo Barry also inspired his team-mates with his complete disregard for his own safety while youngster Scott Stevens played the game of his life in an unfamiliar defensive role.

And every time the Power looked as though they were capable of bridging the gap, the Swans conjured something magical.

And there was no more amazing moment in the game than skipper Stuart Maxfield’s incredible goal on the run from 85 metres – he actually kicked the ball from the edge of the sponsor’s logo on centre wing – to steady the Swans just before the last change.

The Power tried desperately in the final quarter with Nick Stevens doing everything he could to lift his side but even Stevens made some crucial mistakes as the Port players, supporters and coach Williams were yet again left to reflect on their team’s total inability to handle finals pressure.

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