Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Sport

Adelaide steals epic Showdown against Port Adelaide with Jordan Dawson goal after the siren

Jordan Dawson's kick after the siren swung every which way in the air before sneaking inside the right post. (Getty: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

Adelaide's prized recruit Jordan Dawson has kicked a goal after the final siren to sink Port Adelaide by four points in an AFL thriller.

Dawson's accurate set shot from about 45 metres out has delivered the Crows a first victory of the season, 15.6 (96) to 13.14 (92).

And Port, touted as a premiership fancy, remain winless after three games after coughing up an 18-point lead some eight minutes into the final term.

The Crows booted three goals in the last five minutes to a steal a stirring victory at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

Adelaide were two points down with just four seconds remaining when Lachlan Murphy grabbed a loose ball in the forward line and was crunched high by Port's Sam Mayes.

While given a free, Murphy was assisted off the field and unable to take his kick, with the ball given to ex-Swan Dawson.

His left-footer curled through to cap his best game for his new club, which featured two goals and 25 disposals.

Dawson's teammates Elliott Himmelberg and Lachlan Gollant, in just his third AFL game, booted four goals each.

It was a physical start to this Friday night Showdown. (Getty Images: Sarah Reed)

And Crow midfielders Harry Schoenberg (23 possessions), Matt Crouch (29), Rory Laird (31) and Ben Keays (25) were prolific ball-winners.

Port Adelaide's maligned forward Todd Marshall slotted five goals while Mayes and Georgiades each kicked two.

The Power held a seemingly commanding 18-point lead some eight minutes into the last term.

But inside five minutes remaining, Himmelberg scored two late majors before the last-gasp drama centred on Dawson.

His match-winner came after Port veteran Travis Boak missed a set-shot with one minute 40 seconds remaining, leaving the Power two points in front.

Boak (28 disposals), Ryan Burton (22), Ollie Wines (30) and Karl Amon (22) were among Port's best players.

But Ken Hinkley's side remain in the mire with three consecutive losses and a looming Thursday night fixture against reigning premiers Melbourne.

Langdon's stunning goal kills off Bombers as Dees win again

Reigning AFL premier Melbourne have withstood multiple challenges from Essendon, powering away late to record a 29-point victory.

Ed Langdon kicked a contender for goal of the year to put the game to bed. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)

The lead changed five times during Friday night's contest at the MCG, and the Bombers got within 11 points with six minutes remaining, but the Demons' premiership power won out.

Peter Wright missed a shot for his fifth major that would have reduced the margin to six points, before Ed Langdon slotted a miraculous goal-of-the-year contender less than a minute later to end Essendon's resistance.

Melbourne flexed their muscle in familiar fashion by kicking the last three goals to win 14.15 (99) to 10.10 (70).

They have won 10 straight games with their most recent defeat in round 19 last year.

Despite having improved in both games since their round-one capitulation against Geelong, it hasn't been enough for the Bombers to avoid going 0-3 for the first time since 1967.

After averaging 39 possessions in his previous three games, Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca was held to 21 touches as Essendon midfielder Andrew McGrath ran with the Melbourne superstar for extended periods.

But if Petracca doesn't dominate then Clayton Oliver usually will.

Oliver, the three-time Demons best-and-fairest, gathered 38 possessions in a display that should result in the umpires giving him three Brownlow Medal votes.

Sam Weideman starred with 4.3 up forward in his first game since round 13 of 2021, after stepping in to replace premiership full-forward Ben Brown who was forced into isolation on Friday.

Weideman could have finished with two or three more after missing a number of easy shots in the first half but made up for it by nailing a goal backed up against the boundary line late in third quarter.

Tex Wanganeen, who was the unused medical sub on AFL debut last week, started the Bombers' comeback early in the third quarter.

After hitting the post with a set-shot in the second quarter, Wanganeen snapped one through off his left foot for his first career goal in his debut to spark celebrations from his legendary father Gavin in the stands.

The Demons have just six days to prepare for an away clash with Port Adelaide on Thursday night, while the Bombers will host Adelaide at Marvel Stadium next weekend.

Ladder

AAP

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.