has fallen away <\/a>sharply after being such a strength for most of the season, the skills are poor and forward-50 connection remains a struggle.<\/p>\nSome of that is attributable to Port\u2019s massive list of absences, featuring captain Connor Rozee, superstar Zak Butters, defenders Kane Farrell, Josh Sinn, Esava Ratugolea and Darcy Byrne-Jones, and forward Sam Powell-Pepper.<\/p>\n
But coach Josh Carr would not have expected the capitulation on Saturday night that happened against Sydney last week with Joe Richards, Mitch Georgiades and Lachie Jones among the inclusions, and Jason Horne-Francis cleared to play.<\/p>\n
Port has prided itself on being difficult to score against and only a few weeks ago ranked fourth for fewest points conceded this year.<\/p>\n
Instead, flag contenders Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne cut it open in three of the past four weeks.<\/p>\n
Seven of the Demons\u2019 first 11 majors came within 30m from goal.<\/p>\n
Players got out the back in space far too easily, aided by Power fumbles and indecision.<\/p>\n
It only got worse.<\/p>\n
Once All-Australian hopeful Aliir Aliir was concussed just before half-time, Port\u2019s defence looked all at sea.<\/p>\n
A long way from the one that kept finals sides Geelong and Adelaide to a combined 136 points in mid-season wins and conceded 100 just once in the first 18 rounds.<\/p>\n
Fifth-gamer Harry Ramm and Dante Visentini, in just his second game as an AFL backman, were the key pillars in Aliir\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n
The ball was walked into the goals a few times in the second half.<\/p>\n
When the Power got the ball in defence, it could not get it out of there.<\/p>\n
Amazingly, the hosts won clearances 44-30 but was -20 in tackles despite having 66 fewer disposals.<\/p>\n
Port has not scored more than 75 points since its round-16 Showdown win.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been defensive really leaky and unable to score themselves,\u201d Power great Kane Cornes said on SEN.<\/p>\n
In Aliir\u2019s 200th game and the farewell match for off-field stalwarts Alfie Trebilcock and Bob O\u2019Malley, Port looked at times like a side that just wanted its season to end.<\/p>\n
The Power gets a chance to finish its campaign on a high against cellar-dweller Essendon at Marvel Stadium next Sunday.<\/p>\n
After six consecutive losses, including three big ones in the past four, Port desperately needs a win there for a confidence boost going into the off-season.<\/p>\n
Dees sweating on MRO after star lays out Aliir<\/p>\n
\u2013 Jason Phelan<\/p>\n
A scary incident that ended 200-gamer Aliir Aliir\u2019s night before halftime marred Melbourne\u2019s commanding 76-point win.<\/p>\n
The star Power defender bravely went back with the flight of the ball to mark, but was knocked unconscious by a swinging forearm from Jacob van Rooyen that will attract scrutiny from the Match Review Officer.<\/p>\n
In frightening scenes, Aliir appeared to be unconscious before he hit the ground after the heavy contact that was made as he leapt to take a trademark intercept mark.<\/p>\n
Jacob van Rooyen collects Aliir Aliir late and high<\/p>\n
But with Power players remonstrating with van Rooyen nearby, Aliir was able to sit up then made his way to the bench.<\/p>\n
He was warmly applauded by Power fans as he made his way around the boundary line to the change rooms and was able to be chaired off the ground at the end of the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a swinging arm that was unnecessary,\u201d former Port coach Ken Hinkley said on Fox Footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe clearly wasn\u2019t going to mark the ball \u2026 so it was clumsy but the outcome was pretty diabolical for Port and for Aliir in his 200th game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure his intent wasn\u2019t to knock out a player, but \u2026 it will put him in some hot water with the MRO.\u201d<\/p>\n
Power coach Josh Carr confirmed Aliir had been ruled out at halftime, with the star defender able to take his place on the bench to see out the rest of his milestone game.<\/p>\n
The Demons\u2019 15th win of the season boosted their top-four chances, but with just one game left in their home-and-away season van Rooyen\u2019s availability will depend on the outcome of the review.<\/p>\n
Port trailed by 36 points when Aliir exited the game with three minutes remaining in the second quarter and his absence was felt deeply in the second half.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Port Adelaide\u2019s hopes of going into its off-season with momentum have been badly derailed over the past 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