AFL: Ken Hinkley jumps for joy after Port Adelaide beat Melbourne
Ken Hinkley jumps for joy after his team from Port Adelaide defeated Melbourne in a fast-paced blockbuster, clinching his seventh win in a row and sending a strong signal to the rest of the AFL
- Port Adelaide defeated Melbourne in the Indigenous Round
- The Power’s win means they’ve won seven on the bounce
- Daily Mail Australia provides the latest international sports news
Ken Hinkley couldn’t contain his joy as Port Adelaide sent a strong signal to the rest of the competition with a dramatic victory over Melbourne.
The Power saw off the 2021 premieres with a four-point victory on Friday night, taking their seventh victory on the trot to move into second on the ladder behind Collingwood.
Hinkley, under mounting pressure after a disappointing 2022 campaign, was delighted with the final siren and seen jumping up and down with his arms raised on the touchline.
A midfield masterclass from Zak Butters has inspired Port Adelaide to a four-point victory over Melbourne in an AFL thriller.
Butters collected 41 disposals, kicked two goals and had a dozen score engagement in the Power’s thrilling 11.14 (80) to 11.10 (76) win.
The dynamic 22-year-old’s performances on Friday night played a key role in Port’s seventh win in a row to earn them second spot on Melbourne’s ladder ahead of weekend games.
Butters also had nine clearances and eight in the 50s as Melbourne slid to their third defeat of the year on a waterlogged Adelaide Oval.
“I’m not sure there are much better games you’ll see from a little fellow,” Port coach Ken Hinkley said of the 6-foot-4 Butters.
“(He’s) a tough, brave little jerk who takes big moments and turns them into something special.”
Butters’ midfield mate Rozee (31 touches, 11 in 50s), Dan Houston (33 disposals) and Willem Drew (22, 10 tackles) kept busy as young forward Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlyason each scored two goals.
Melbourne backman Steven May was fantastic with his 23 disposals, including 15 rebounds from his defensive 50m zone.
Demon on-baller Clayton Oliver (28 possessions), forward Bayley Fritsch (two goals) and Tom McDonald (two goals) featured prominently, while Lachie Hunter collected 24 disposals but was reported for a high bump on Port’s Connor Rozee.
Port led 3.2 to 1.2 in quarter time and extended their break to a game-high 25 points midway through the second term.
Port Adelaide secured their seventh win in a row by beating Melbourne on Friday
But two timely hits from Melbourne’s Fritsch cut the margin to 14 points at half-time and after an early Butters goal in the third term, the Demons rallied.
When Port’s ex-captain Travis Boak was substituted – the 336 gamer had his ribs broken in the second half – the visitors piled on seven of the next eight goals.
Melbourne skipped 17 points, but a goal after the siren from the brilliant Butters cut the margin to 11 points at the final substitution.
The only Demon downer in their 7.2 to 3.1 third quarter was Hunter’s report, whose right hip took a sliding Rozee to the head on the outside wing.
In a frenetic final, Finlayson van Port scored after being awarded a free kick when he was hit high by Jacob van van Rooyen some 60 yards behind the game.
And fourth gamer Lord gave Port the lead with a close range checkside before Melbourne’s McDonald quickly retook it for his team with a cool set shot.
But with four minutes remaining, Rozee van de Power snapped what turned out to be the winning goal.
“Yes, we are incredibly disappointed to lose a football match,” said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
“But it’s what you do about it that counts and…we grow out of this, no doubt about it.”