Port Adelaide’s big-name recruit produced exciting glimpses, but it was the returning Oscar Allen that sparked a late West Coast resurgence on Friday night as the Eagles showed why they can’t be underestimated in 2023.

Inspired by a strong start from Jason Horne-Francis, the Power had an early scoreboard advantage and led by 18 points late in the third term.

But Allen, who kicked three goals, goaled late in the third before West Coast held on in a thrilling goal-for-goal battle in the fourth quarter to run out eight-point winners, 13.6 (84) to 11.10 (76), at Mineral Resources Park in match simulation.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT

West Coast landed the first blow on the scoreboard, with Andrew Gaff drifting forward and converting his set-shot.

Port Adelaide peppered the goals early, but couldn’t fully capitalise with three consecutive behinds. But the Power looked strong on transition, moving the ball at speed from their defensive half.

But star on-baller Connor Rozee broke the goal drought for the Power, swinging onto his right boot and nailing an exquisite goal. A sloppy Eagles turnover then set up a set-shot goal for Sam Powell-Pepper, who then snapped another goal minutes later as Port extended its lead to 15 points.

Star recruit Jason Horne-Francis was prominent early, having a strong run on the ball before drifting forward and setting up Powell-Pepper’s second major.

“It’s not a bad acquisition to have Horne-Francis to go to full-forward out of the square after going on the ball … it’s promising and exciting signs for Horne-Francis,” premiership Eagle Will Schofield told Kayo Sports.

“I like the way he’s moved.”

West Coast responded when top mid-season pick Jai Culley drifted forward and nailed a classy running goal as the Power took a 10-point lead into the first break.

There was a nasty collision at the start of the second quarter as Power veteran Travis Boak copped a nasty knock to his back courtesy of Eagle Jeremy McGovern. Boak came to the bench and was taken down into the rooms for further assessment.

“He’s in a world of hurt,” commentator Mark Readings said.

Schofield added: “That‘s not the contact you want in the second quarter of a pre-season game.”

Minutes later Rioli found himself free out the back and ran into an open goal, sparking a few half-hearted jeers from West Coast supporters.

Star midfielder Tim Kelly then responded for the Eagles, flushing an attempt from outside 50 that sailed through for a goal, before Liam Ryan converted from a tight angle with the breeze as the Power’s lead was cut to five points.

And when Greg Clark nailed another set-shot goal, West Coast had hit the front for the first time in the game — a lead that was extended when Connor West got boot to ball near the goalline.

But Rioli got out the back again inside the Power’s forward 50 and strolled in for his second goal of the quarter to level up the scores.

Horne-Francis’ impressive half continued, pulling off a pinpoint pass to Orazio Fantasia who converted a set-shot goal and gave Port a five-point lead at half-time.

The Power at the main break confirmed Boak would take no further part in the match with a “complete update” to be provided once he’d been fully assessed.

Back on the field, Todd Marshall gave Port the perfect start, converting a set-shot goal to extend the team’s lead. Readings said the Power looked more “threatening” forward of centre.

That continued as Fantasia won a free kick for holding and kicked his second goal as the Power went up by 18 points.

But West Coast hit back late in the third term with three consecutive goals to finish the quarter, with Liam Duggan, Allen and Kelly drawing the scores level at the final change.

Allen’s third goal gave West Coast fans ample hope for the returning forward’s 2023 prospects.

“West Coast would be really happy with his output … he’s been impressive today,” Schofield said.

The Power generated some exciting run from the back half at the start of the fourth term, which led to a snap goal from Jed McEntee.

But recruit Jayden Hunt quickly responded for West Coast, kicking a goal on the run to give his side the lead again.

The goal-for-goal trend continued, though, as first-year ruck Dante Visentini drifted forward to mark and goal, before Jack Petruccelle snapped truly from the pocket after an outstanding build-up from the Eagles.

First-round draftee Elijah Hewett then made an immediate impact for the Eagles, pouncing on a loose ball at a forward 50 stoppage and snapping a goal that had West Coast supporters delighted.

“Wow … we like what we see there,” a gobsmacked Schofield said. “That was outstanding craft from a young man. This is a kid that has never played footy before, hit the pack at full speed, one touch, slammed it on the boot – but did it in traffic, too.

“You don’t see that from senior players, so to see that from someone straight out of the WAFL is special stuff.”

The intensity lifted again as Rozee showed ample class to find McEntee, who kicked his second goal and make it a two-point game with four minutes left.

But the Eagles held their nerve in defence then moved the ball forward to Jake Waterman, who nailed his set-shot on the full-time siren to secure an eight-point win.

THE 3-2-1 …

3. RETURNING FORWARD ‘HOLDS KEY TO EAGLES SUCCESS’

Oscar Allen is back.

And for premiership Eagle Will Schofield, he looms as West Coast’s barometer for 2023.

Allen on Friday night ran out for the Eagles in his first outing in 18 months following a long road back from a stress-related foot injury.

And he couldn’t have been more impressive, booting three goals, plucking several strong marks and leading up at the ball with authority in the Eagles’ victory.

“He holds the key to West Coast’s success this year,” Schofield told Kayo Sports. “People forget the trajectory he was on before he missed last year with injury.

“They missed him last year, but a good year for Oscar Allen will mean a good year for the West Coast Eagles.”

Prior to his injury, Allen had played 21, 15 and 21 games from his previous three seasons.

With Josh Kennedy retiring, the Eagles will need Allen to be a big presence inside 50 alongside Jack Darling.

“He had 44 shots on goal in 2021. They’ll be hoping for 50 shots minimum out of Oscar Allen this year and a minimum of 30 goals,” Schofield said.

“But realistically they’ll needing 30 or 35 goals out of Oscar to be really playing good footy.”

Elsewhere for the Eagles, recruit Jayden Hunt impressed, even pushing forward for a classy fourth-quarter goal as he confirmed he’ll be a key member of West Coast’s best 22 this year.

And second-year player Campbell Chesser, who’s generated ample hype over the summer, had some glittering moments, including an awesome gather and spin in the first quarter that set up an Eagles scoring opportunity.

“Campbell Chesser has been a real shining light for West Coast,” Schofield said.

“I’ve seen enough to think he can make an impact as an AFL player in his second year on the list. He’s looked good.”

2. JHF’S EYE-CATCHING FIRST HIT-OUT

After months of criticism and commentary following his sensational trade from North Melbourne, Jason Horne-Francis let his footy do the talking on Friday night. And Port Adelaide fans would’ve loved what they saw.

In his first outing in Power colours against an opposition club, Horne-Francis gave the footy world a glimpse of his potential as he loomed dangerously across various parts of Mineral Resources Park.

Horne-Francis, who was central to last year’s four-way mega trade, was injected into Port Adelaide’s on-ball brigade immediately, spending most of the first quarter on the ball.

He then pushed forward and had an immediate impact, setting up a goal for Sam Powell-Pepper.

“It’s not a bad acquisition to have Horne-Francis to go to full-forward out of the square after going on the ball … it’s promising and exciting signs for Horne-Francis,” premiership Eagle Will Schofield told Kayo Sports. “I like the way he’s moved.”

Horne-Francis, who was taken by the Kangaroos with Pick 1 in the 2021 draft before joining Port Adelaide 11 months later, then pulled off a classy play late in the second quarter, accelerating away from a centre bounce clearance, composing himself and delivering a pinpoint pass to Orazio Fantasia, who then kicked a goal from a set-shot.

“Young players have a tendency to get the ball and kick the ball when they feel pressure. But Jason Horne-Francis when he received that footy had more time,” Schofield said.

“He took five more steps than usual, steadied, found the space and put it on a platter (for Fantasia).”

Horne-Francis’ output dipped in the second half as he struggled to get his hands on the footy. But the glimpses were promising.

“He’s done some really good things especially with the ball. I think as a bigger younger player, you get into these games with older players and more mature bodies and you can see he just doesn’t quite have the same strength as he does against younger players. But he’s going to be a terrific player,” Schofield said.

1. POWER STAR’S INJURY SCARE

The one thing teams don‘t want out of pre-season hit-outs are injuries.

If there are injuries, you definitely don‘t want them for your stars.

That‘s why it made for some nervous viewing when Travis Boak bore the full brunt of Jeremy McGovern early in the second period, with a spoiling attempt from the Eagles defender leaving Boak in a bad way.

“He’s in a world of hurt,” commentator Mark Readings said.

Schofield added: “That‘s not the contact you want in the second quarter of a pre-season game.”

Boak came from the ground, was assessed in the rooms and quickly ruled out of the match.

Given how big a role injury and lack of availability played in Port Adelaide‘s bleak start to the season last year, Ken Hinkley will be hoping one of his best players isn’t rattled or below his best come the round one clash with Brisbane.

Teammate Miles Bergman was taken off the ground later in the match, but in better news his withdrawal was purely for management reasons.

Key forward Charlie Dixon was scheduled to line up for the Power, but was a late withdrawal due to bruised intercostal muscles from last week’s internal trial.

EAGLES

1. Liam Ryan, 2. Jake Waterman, 3. Andrew Gaff, 4. Dom Sheed, 5. Jayden Hunt, 6. Elliot Yeo, 8. Elijah Hewett, 10. Samo Petrevski-Seton, 11. Tim Kelly, 12. Oscar Allen, 14. Liam Duggan, 15. Jamie Cripps, 16. Luke Edwards, 18. Campbell Chesser, 19. Brady Hough, 20. Jeremy McGovern, 21. Jack Petruccelle, 22. Isiah Winder, 23. Alex Witherden, 24. Xavier O’Neill, 25. Shannon Hurn, 26. Zane Trew, 28. Tom Cole, 29. Luke Foley, 32. Bailey Williams, 35. Josh Rotham, 36. Connor West, 37. Tom Barrass, 39. Greg Clark, 40. Callum Jamieson, 42. Harry Edwards, 44. Noah Long, 45. Coby Burgiel, 49. Jai Culley

Notable absentees: Jack Darling, Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Reuben Ginbey, Jamaine Jones

POWER

1. Tom Jonas, 2. Sam Powell-Pepper, 3. Ryan Burton, 4. Todd Marshall, 5. Dan Houston, 6. Kane Farrell, 7. Xavier Duursma, 10. Travis Boak, 12. Trent McKenzie, 13. Orazio Fantasia, 14. Miles Bergman, 15. Junior Rioli, 16. Ollie Wines, 18. Jason Horne-Francis, 19. Mitch Georgiades, 20. Connor Rozee, 21. Aliir Aliir, 22. Charlie Dixon, 23. Dylan Williams, 25. Sam Hayes, 26. Riley Bonner, 27. Brynn Teakle, 28. Willem Drew, 29. Scott Lycett, 34. Lachie Jones, 36. Jase Burgoyne, 38. Dante Visentini, 41. Jed McEntee, 44. Jackson Mead

Notable absentees: Zak Butters, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Francis Evans, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, Tom Clurey, Trent Dumont