Round 1, 2019
Melbourne vs Port Adelaide
Saturday 23 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 38,866
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 6.5 | 9.7 | 9.7.61 |
| Port Adelaide | 2.4 | 6.8 | 10.9 | 12.15.87 |
Port Adelaide win by 26 points
Goalkickers: Jake Melksham 2, Angus Brayshaw 1, Bayley Fritsch 1, Nathan Jones 1, Tom McDonald 1, Christian Petracca 1, Tom Sparrow 1, Sam Weideman 1
Milestones:
First game
Marty Hore
Tom Sparrow (and first goal)
First MFC game
Corey Wagner
100 games
Max Gawn
Brownlow votes
Nil
Coming off a Preliminary Final appearance, the Demons went in as red hot favourites against a Port side featuring four debutantes. The script was followed with the three of the first four goals, before Melbourne wilted in temperatures of over 30 degrees. With Nathan Jones and Jack Viney underdone after interrupted pre-seasons, and Max Gawn well held by Port's rucks, the Demons only kicked five more goals for the day.
Three of the remaining goals came in a burst early in the third quarter, restoring a lead of nearly 10 points before Port struck back. They ran away with the game in the last quarter when Melbourne failed to score.
Best were Salem, Melksham and Harmes. Jordan Lewis was a late withdrawal (hamstring), replaced by Tom Sparrow.
Lists
Scoreless fourth quarters
Media
afl.com.au - 23/03/2019