AFL rivalry

Port Adelaide didn’t just show up—they exploded. From the first bounce, it was clear they were playing with something to prove. Within a quarter and a half, the Hawks were buried under a tidal wave of pressure, speed, and precision. By the time the scoreboard showed a 71-point margin, the contest looked like a massacre in motion. It wasn’t just a response to criticism—it was a statement. A reminder. This is what Port can do when they’re fired up, when their midfield is humming, and when the doubters give them fuel. For a fleeting moment, Hawthorn rallied, teasing the impossible. But Rioli’s cheeky response to a rough hit—booting the ball into the Barossa—signalled the end. The Power were home, and they’d done it in emphatic style.