The Western Bulldogs have defied injury to produce a second-half comeback and notch consecutive wins for the first time in more than a year as Port Adelaide’s AFL season slide continues.
The Bulldogs lost Tom Williams to a dislocated shoulder early in the second quarter and Koby Stevens was restricted by a thigh injury for much of Saturday night’s game in slippery conditions in Darwin.
But it didn’t stop them turning around a 17-point deficit late in the first half to win 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58).
Midfielder Ryan Griffen was inspirational with 40 disposals and a goal, while veteran Daniel Giansiracusa (two goals) provided a big spark in attack after subbing into the game for Williams.
Tom Liberatore (35 disposals) was enormously productive in the packs.
With last round’s win over St Kilda, it gave the Dogs back-to-back victories for the first time since rounds seven and eight last year.
For Port Adelaide, it was their fifth straight loss, after starting their season with five wins.
It also continued their sorry record against the Dogs, who they haven’t beaten since 2006.
That seemed set to change when the Power dominated the first half.
The Power led 5.5 to 3.0 with seconds to play in the second quarter, at which stage the Dogs were rarely even entering their attack and only in touch thanks to Port inaccuracy.
But a soccered goal by Will Minson in the dying seconds of the first half narrowed the gap to 11 points.
And the Dogs took control in the third quarter, outscoring Port 5.4 to 0.4 for the term to build a 19-point lead.
Giansiracusa missed two set shots early in the term.
But he set up Murphy for an easy goal midway through the quarter to put the Bulldogs in front, then snapped truly himself soon after.
Two more quick Dogs goals to end the term gave them all the momentum.
Justin Westhoff kicked one for Port early in the last.
But Giansiracusa restored the 19-point margin with a sensational snap from a tight angle and, despite two late goals to the Power, they couldn’t recover.
The Power, who were well served by Chad Wingard (22 disposals, two goals) and Brad Ebert, lost big man Jarrad Redden to a shoulder injury late in the game.
