Port Adelaide Create A Night Of Unwanted AFL History

Well, that was definitely a night of unwanted history for Port fans.

Following a 0-3 start to the season, Port Adelaide has now slumped to their worst start to an AFL season in 14 years after they were embarrassed by the reigning premiers Melbourne last night.

In the first match of round four, the Dees easily took care of the Power, 10.8 (68) to 4.12 (36), with many unwanted records created during the clash.

The Power failed to register a goal during the first half of play, making it their first goalless first half in club history. Their 0.5 (5) score at the long-break was also their lowest half-time score, and the joint seventh-lowest full-time score (4.12).

After a dismal display in attack and defence, the Power finally registered their first major through Dan Houston at the 22-minute mark of the third quarter - which was met with Bronx cheers from their home crowd.

The Power never looked a chance throughout the match with the 32-point score line flattering the Power with the Demons never really needing to get out of second gear.

It has been a massive fall from grace to begin the 2022 AFL season for Port, who have made back-to-back preliminary finals and have a 33-10 winning record since the beginning of the 2020 season, the best winning record of any AFL club across that time.

And despite being such a quality side across that time, history isn't kind to teams across history with poor starts to a season with only two teams making finals from 0-4. The most recent of those came in 2017, when Sydney did so despite a horror 0-6 start to the year, going 14-2 after round seven to finish sixth.

The 14-year 0-4 record, which has stood since the 2008 season, could be a damming predictor though of what the season has in store for the Power, given they finished 13^th with only seven wins that year following a Grand Final appearance in 2007 in which they were smashed by a record 119 points by Geelong.

Round four AFL action continues tonight - April 8 - with Geelong hosting Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium while Saturday's highlight game will see Richmond battle the Western Bulldogs at the MCG before the round ends with Carlton looking to go 4-0 when they play Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.