Port Adelaide Loses Thriller to North Adelaide by a Single Point in SANFL Trial Match

Port Adelaide faced a heart-wrenching defeat against North Adelaide in an intense SANFL trial match, falling short by a solitary point in a nail-biting finish.

Magpies’ head coach, Hamish Hartlett, commended the team’s strong first-half performance but noted the experience of North Adelaide ultimately outplayed Port Adelaide in the final stages of the match.

Key players like Jordon Sweet and Mitch Georgiades showcased their skills, with Georgiades impressing in his return from an ACL injury, displaying agility and work rate that pleased Hartlett.

Port Adelaide dominated the early stages, securing a 27-point lead at quarter-time with players like Tom Scully and Nick Moore shining brightly.

The Magpies extended their lead to 41 points by halftime, with several players, including Tom Anastasopoulos, contributing with crucial goals.

In the third quarter, a remarkable mark from Georgiades stood out, but the Roosters mounted a strong comeback, narrowing the margin to 14 points by the final break.

North Adelaide surged ahead in the fourth quarter, stealing the lead in the closing minutes to secure a one-point victory over a resilient Port Adelaide side.

Despite the defeat, Hartlett emphasized the importance of match conditioning for the team ahead of the upcoming season, pointing out areas for improvement and looking forward to the next trial against South Adelaide.

Port Adelaide is set to face South Adelaide in their next SANFL trial match, aiming to bounce back from the narrow loss to North Adelaide.