PORT ADELAIDE lost a tight, scrappy tussle against West Coast in their first JLT Community Series clash at Leederville Oval on Sunday evening.
While the result didn’t fall in Port’s favour, senior coach Ken Hinkley was pleased with aspects of the game, particularly in the first half.
“There was certainly some stuff that we have worked on, that was on show in the first half,” Hinkley told reporters.
“I thought we did some really nice things in the first half.
“The second half became a little scrappier with fatigue taking over, but you expect that at this time of the year.”
Hinkley was pleased with the input from Power-recruits, in particular, the efforts of ex-Demon Dom Barry.
“He (Barry) did some really nice things,” he said.
“That’s what he has been doing all pre-season, which is great for Dom – hopefully that leads to more opportunities for him moving forward.
“All the new guys did little bits at times, and with more game-time under their belts, it will be key to the group gelling.”
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Robbie Gray was involved in a collision with Eagles’ defender Jeremy McGovern, but Hinkley says the incident will “sort itself out”.
“Gray is an honest ball-player who has never missed a game through suspension,” he said.
Steven Motlop was the only injury concern from Port’s trip to Perth, but Hinkley was optimistic about the speedster’s welfare.
“He got a whack to the shin,” he said.
“He was coming out of the game anyway, as part of our plans.
“I think he is okay. I don’t expect there to be anything wrong but we will assess during the week.”
The Power’s next pre-season match is against the Crows at Alberton Oval on Saturday, March 10. Tom Rockliff, Chad Wingard, Jared Polec and Sam Gray will have two weeks to prove their fitness ahead of the clash, with the club taking a conservative approach leading into Round 1 against Fremantle on March 24.
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