Round 18
	V
Port Adelaide 12.12 (84)		Hawthorn 11.14 (80)

Ladder-leader Port Adelaide has notched consecutive tight victories, after backing up a one-point defeat of Brisbane at the Gabba with a thrilling four-point win over finals aspirant Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.

But the Power suffered a costly blow in its fourth consecutive win, with its captain Matthew Primus going down with a knee injury early in the final term. The 12.12 (84) to 11.14 (80) victory was the Power’s first win at the MCG this season, and its last rehearsal at the ground before the finals series.

In contrast, the Hawks’ season was all but ended by the defeat. They need to win each of their remaining four matches – against Sydney, the Kangaroos, Carlton and Richmond - and would rely on other sides dropping matches in order to make the finals.

Byron Pickett was the hero of the day, after stealing the game with a remarkable running goal – his fourth for the match - in the dying minutes of the game.

Minutes earlier, Jade Rawlings blemished what had been a return of three straight goals after missing a set shot from 40 metres out, which would have provided his side with a seven-point lead.

Pickett’s goal came after the former Kangaroo intercepted a Hawthorn handball and then proceeded to run the length of the ground before passing the pill to Brendon Lade. The big man fell over before returning the ball to Pickett, who slotted the winning goal with his right foot.

Hawthorn youngster Luke Hodge gave his side a one point advantage 26 minutes into the last quarter, before Rawlings missed his shot.

The first three quarters of the match were exceptionally tight, with Port not wrestling the lead until the final break. When Jarrad Schofield goaled nine minutes into the final term to give his side an 18-point lead - its biggest for the day - the game looked to have fizzled out. It was the fifth unanswered goal for the visitors, but some brilliant work from the Hawks midfielders saw them score the next two.

Nathan Thompson was thrown into the ruck at the start of the final quarter, and helped steer the ball to Angelo Lekkas twice in under two minutes. Lekkas took two strong marks and nailed a couple of majors, to first draw his side to 12 points, and then to six.

Rawlings levelled the score 18 minutes in after taking a flying mark over Stephen Paxman and goaling from 30 metres out. Chad Cornes out muscled Ben Dixon and converted to give his side a six-point buffer.

Both teams were considerably undermanned, Port was without Nick Stevens, Brett Montgomery, Darryl Wakelin and Stuart Cochrane, and the Hawks were missing talls Nick Holland, John Barker and Peter Everitt.

But Hawthorn’s situation deteriorated considerably, after experienced defender Mark Graham was a late withdrawal with illness, and full-back Jonathan Hay injured his right hamstring 17 minutes into the game.

The All-Australian player pulled up short after an innocuous marking contest with Warren Tredrea, and was sidelined for the rest of the match. He will miss at least three matches.

Port subsequently loaded its forward line with Dean Brogan, Warren Tredrea, Lade and Chad Cornes, who towered over their opponents Kris Barlow, Joel Smith, Adrian Cox and Hodge. To the Hawthorn defenders’ credit, their efforts were admirable, and eventually forced Port coach Mark Williams to change his set-up. The swirling wind make scoring unpredictable, particularly at the Punt Road end.

The Hawks earned their 12-point lead after an engrossing opening half, which appeared to rattle and frustrate the away team. The contest became heated when some persistent niggling between Rayden Tallis and Pickett erupted into a minor skirmish. Pickett was booed for the remainder of the match, but would have been ultimately satisfied after kicking the winning goal in a best on ground performance.

Hawks skipper Shane Crawford was unusually quiet, finishing with 16 possessions, but received a heavy knock from Pickett early in the second term that prompted Tallis to remonstrate.

Jarrad Schofield was excellent for his side, accruing 23 touches and two marks and was well supported by Josh Carr and Roger James.

Mark Williams was good for the Hawks in his eighth senior game, kicking three goals in the opening half. Nick Ries and Tim Clarke, who replaced Graham and played two matches in as many days, were also prominent.

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