It was ultimately a grim night for Ken Hinkley’s side despite a 12-gamer shining in his finals debut.
And only a handful of other good showings from the away side.
Every Port Adelaide player rated out of 10 from its qualifying final against Brisbane.
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Butters ‘Playing with fire’ in Zorko hit | 00:18
2. Sam Powell-Pepper
Powell-Pepper never needs much of the footy to have an impact, but even he struggled from limited opportunities to have his usual influence in attack. Made up for it to some extend with two goals in the fourth quarter, though it was very much when the game was buried.5
3. Ryan Burton
Had the big assignment on Charlie Cameron and did a great job in the first half before the star Lions small forward kicked two goals in an influential third quarter. A neutral enough matchup that Ken Hinkley would be content with considering Cameron didn’t really get off the leash. 6
4. Todd Marshall
Finished with two goals, but just never looked likely all night. Missed a crucial opportunity to kick the Power’s first goal after getting a free kick in front of goal, then another just before half-time that could’ve got his side back the lead. 5
5. Dan Houston
Continued his brilliant All-Australian form as one of the more influential players including finishing with 27 disposals. It included a 10-disposal second term to help will his side back into the game. Didn’t seem to be as effective in the second half, but still a good performance from the gun half back. 7
6. Kane Farrell
Had 13 touches including 12 kicks, but didn’t have much of a presence out there in an otherwise strong season. 4
7. Xavier Duursma
Busy early with eight touches in the first quarter, but unfortunately his field kicking let him down. Struggled to maintain his good early form across four quarters. 6
9. Zak Butters
Butters didn’t feel as effective as usual despite finding a heap of the ball including going at just 55 per cent disposal efficiency. He ended with 29 touches, 599 metres gained, six marks and seven tackles, but with just seven contested possessions and three clearances. Gave a nudge to Dayne Zorko behind play that floored the Lions veteran for some time and could get looked at by the MRO. 7
10. Travis Boak
Was subbed on in the third quarter once the game was virtually out of reach. You sense the veteran midfielder might get a promotion into the 22 next week. N/A
11. Jeremy Finlayson
Struggled to get involved under the finals heat and was well held by Ryan Lester all contest. 2
12. Trent McKenzie
Not his night including getting well beaten by Eric Hipwood, who kicked 1.3 and just couldn’t make him pay on the scoreboard, before McKenzie suffered a recurring ankle injury in the third term despite returning in the fourth. Got caught cold holding the ball by Hugh McCluggage directly in front of goal just before half-time in a decisive play. 4
14. Miles Bergman
Solid enough including taking an equal team-high nine intercepts with 13 disposals and seven marks. He also had the most intercepts to half-time with six. 6
15. Willie Rioli
Struggled to have an impact in the first half before kicking the first goal of the third quarter that looked it might’ve got the 2018 premiership Eagle going, but didn’t. Lacked his usual spark. 4
16. Ollie Wines
A night to forget for the Brownlow medallist. Had 14 disposals, 11 of which were handballs, and failed to have any real say on the contest. 3
18. Jason Horne-Francis
A quiet evening for the former No. 1 pick in his first final.He showed exciting flashes in the second term including a “phenomenal” play, as put by Hawks legend Dermott Brereton, where Horne-Francis fended off his opponent then surgically hit a target 40m away before setting up a goal moments later. Was rarely sighted in the second half though. 4
20. Connor Rozee
Built for finals. Not the complete performance but he was still massive, racking up 28 touches, 12 contested, with 607 metres gained and one goal. Produced a real classy play in the second term to set up Ollie Lord’s third goal before kicking one himself to give the Power their first lead.“He’s an absolute superstar … I think no one can go with him when he goes through the midfield,” Carlton great Eddie Betts said on Fox Footy at half-time. 8
21. Aliir Aliir
Had the assignment on Joe Daniher and fair to say Aliir lost the battle. Though the Power gun had an equal game-high nine intercepts, Daniher bagged a game-high five goals and was just about the best player on the night. “When he gets lost and he relies on others and gets on his heels, Joe Daniher (who had six touches in the first term) has an impact in the air,” Bulldogs great Brad Johnson told Fox Footy at quarter-time. 4
23. Dylan Williams
After a quiet first half, his night ended prematurely due to a hamstring injury in the third term. N/A
28. Willem Drew
Got the tagging role on Neale and did a great job on the star Lions midfielder. Drew held Neale to 19 touches and had 20 himself in a big win for Ken Hinkley on a night when there weren’t many. “That’s a massive win for Port Adelaide, because Lachie is such a playmaker and has been that player for a long time,” Dermott Brereton said on Fox Footy. “(Drew’s) got it himself too.” 7
29. Scott Lycett
An even ruck battle with Oscar McInerney, with Lycett maybe having the slight edge, finishing with 11 touches, 10 contested, nine tackles and 38 hit-outs. Could’ve kicked a goal right before quarter-time that would’ve put his side right back in it when it was threatening. 6
30. Ollie Lord
Talk about announcing yourself on the finals stage. With no Charlie Dixon, the young key forward stood up and then some. Playing in just his 12th AFL game — and matched up on star defender Harris Andrews — Lord, 21, kicked a career-best four goals including Port’s first three majors on the night when none of his teammates could buy one. Andrews was also well down, and if you look at this matchup in isolation, the final scoreboard is all the more staggering. Bravo, young man.8
33. Darcy Byrne-Jones
Kicked a goal but otherwise had little influence before being subbed out in the third term for Travis Boak. N/A
34. Lachie Jones
Stood up reasonably well under intense September heat as one of few Port players that can hold their head high. Had eight intercepts to go with 14 disposals. 5
41. Jed McEntee
Played a forward pressure role but didn’t have much of an impact, finishing with 11 disposals and going goalless. 3
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