Curse Of Siren Claims Motlop As New Victim

The Age

Monday July 24, 2006

MARTIN BOULTON, LAUNCESTON

FACED with the most important kick of his short career, Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop failed to conjure a miraculous after-the-siren victory in Launceston yesterday.

For the second time this season the Aurora Stadium siren played a starring role, as Motlop went from instant hero to instant dejection on either side of its improved, but still barely audible blast.

With seconds left on the clock and Port trailing by five points after a poor match, Motlop launched himself skyward, pulling down a contender for mark of the year. No sooner had he climbed to his feet than the siren blew.

Motlop, 24, and with 58 games under his belt, grimaced slightly before sending a 25-metre kick towards goal, slightly off line, but enough to give St Kilda the four points it desperately needs in its bid for a top-four finish.

After the match, Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams said the loss made it "virtually impossible" for his side, the premier two years ago, to finish in the top eight this season.

The match was scrappy from the first bounce, both sides hitting the post with their first scoring shots despite the excellent conditions and lack of a noticeable breeze.

With Port's captain, Warren Tredrea, missing with knee soreness, Motlop began at full-forward with St Kilda's Max Hudghton given the job of minding him.

The first major score took 15 minutes, coming after Nick Riewoldt, on a lead to Fraser Gehrig, managed to sneak in front of Troy Chaplin. Riewoldt's kick from 45 metres sailed through the goals and, momentarily, the match appeared to have slipped into second gear.

Port failed to kick a goal in the first quarter and did not manage a set shot at goal in the first half, such was its lack of attack or forward structure.

St Kilda kicked three goals in the opening term but looked only slightly more effective going forward. When it registered a rushed behind at the 19-minute mark, every player on the ground was in its attacking zone.

The Power was intent on keeping the game a low-scoring affair and to that end was successful.

However, its lack of options in attack, constant turnovers and fumbling proved costly. Just two goals to half-time, compared with St Kilda's six, was an ominous sign, not only for the Power, but the 16,588 fans who had turned out for the match.

Riewoldt's second goal early in the second term followed a terrific mark, floating backwards with the flight of the ball.

Port continued to play defensively and at one point had a dozen possessions without moving the ball into its attacking zone.

A goal to Motlop on nine minutes was desperately needed, cutting the margin to 20 points, but was hardly a convincing sign that the situation was about to get any better.

Josh Mahoney's goal, a terrific snap near the goal square, painted a better picture but a minute later Robert Harvey swooped on a loose ball and kicked a goal on the run.

The margin at half-time jumped to 26 points, but Port began the second half with a more direct style. Chad Cornes, who racked up touches in defence early, moved to centre half-forward and became a target.

Mahoney's second goal came after he kicked across the ground, ran forward as the ball was worked sideways behind the 50-metre arc, then bobbed up in the goal square to receive the kick.

Steven Salopek's goal on the run followed a long, direct kick from Nathan Lonie and cut the Saints' lead to 13 points.

The start of the fourth term delivered much of the same - short kicking, overuse of the ball and costly turnovers. When Fraser Gehrig charged into an open goal at the 18-minute mark it looked like game over, but to his surprise the goal umpire ruled the shot a behind.

"I thought it was a goal," Gehrig said after the match.

"Whether it hit the post on the inside I'm not sure. If it did it must have been the finest touch ever."

The match hung in the balance and, five minutes later, when Brett Ebert booted a stunning goal from outside 50, Power appeared likely to pinch a game it had not led once.

There were other chances, missed shots by Mahoney and Ebert as the seconds ticked away, then Brad Symes drilled a long kick into Power's attacking zone.

Motlop rose above four players, with a foot in Sam Fisher's back as he pulled the ball from the sky.

After the game, Power ruckman Brendon Lade said he spoke to Motlop briefly before he took his kick. "Just take your time," Lade told him.

"He's devastated, as you would be," Lade said. "It's everyone's dream to kick a g

oal after the siren . . . we're all disappointed for him."

DETAILS

ST KILDA

3.4 6.7 7.11 8.16 (64)

PORT ADELAIDE

0.2 2.5 6.10 8.12 (60)

GOALS

St Kilda: Gehrig 3, Riewoldt 2, Blake, Harvey, Milne.

Port Adelaide: Mahoney 2, Salopek, Motlop, Pearce, K Cornes, White, Ebert.

BEST

St Kilda: S Fisher, Gram, Harvey, Dal Santo, Gehrig, Voss.

Port Adelaide: Lade, S Burgoyne, Symes, K Cornes, C Cornes, Pearce.

INJURIES

St Kilda: Harvey (corked thigh).

Port Adelaide: Tredrea (knee) replaced in selected side by Logan.

UMPIRES

Rosebury, Sully, Wenn.

CROWD

16,588 at Aurora Stadium.

© 2006 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home