Round 17, 2002
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne
Saturday 27 July
Venue: Football Park
Attendance: 25,283
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Port Adelaide | 6.4 | 12.7 | 14.10 | 17.14.116 |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 9.4 | 11.6 | 17.10.112 |
Port Adelaide win by 4 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 6, Cameron Bruce 4, Peter Vardy 4, Travis Johnstone 1, Russell Robertson 1, Peter Walsh 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Andrew Leoncelli
Milestones:
Nil
In soaking wet conditions Port benefited from ill-discipline by the Demons to score two first half goals from 50m penalties, and as the game took a spiteful turn several small clashes broke out around the ground.
Early in the game the Power were simply better all over the ground. The lead was 43 points in the second quarter, before goals from Cameron Bruce and David Neitz got Melbourne back to 21 points behind at the long break.
An already undermined Port suffered further injuries during the match, but were still 28 points in front early in the last term. It was then that the Demons finally sparked and when Peter Vardy kicked his fourth goal at the 22 minute mark Melbourne were suddenly in front. Just when they had got their noses in front for the first time all day Matthew Primus put Port back in front. Russell Robertson had the chance to win the game in the dying seconds but a desperate soccer ran wide. He had already had one chance to put his side in front minutes earlier with a shot on goal that fell short and was rushed through for a point.
Johnstone, Bruce and Neitz were the Demons best. Craig Ellis was reported for striking Barnaby French and suspended for two matches.
Neale Daniher said "I was really proud of the boys the way they worked away at the game. Port jumped away early and the boys just hung in there."
Lists
Tribunal
Media
afl.com.au - 27/07/2002
Age - 28/07/2002
Age - 29/07/2002