WILLEM DREW is prepared that he may need to tag Nick Daicos in Port Adelaide’s blockbuster meeting with Collingwood on Saturday night.
Daicos is already regarded as one of the competition’s best players in just his second year, and is averaging 33.4 disposals and 517.8 metres gained this season.
Drew is often tasked with stopping the opposition’s best midfielder, and is happy to take up the challenge of clamping down on Daicos if asked.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon ahead of an open training session at Alberton Oval, Drew also spoke about the mood in the camp after the end of its 13-game winning run, how pleased he is that Zak Butters will be fit to face Collingwood, and knowing his own value to the team, even if he doesn’t get the limelight.
Willem Drew on the feeling within the group leading into Saturday night’s game against Collingwood:
“Coming off a loss against Carlton was disappointing. We weren’t overly happy with the way we were playing and I suppose there’s no greater challenge than this week coming up against Collingwood. They’re the best team in the comp so we’re ready to go and it’s going to be a great challenge.”
Willem Drew on the potential that he may end up tagging Collingwood’s Nick Daicos:
“With Nick, he’s a great player and we’ve seen throughout the season what he’s able to do. Obviously, he’s a super player so if that’s what’s needed, I’m more than happy to. We’ll go into the game and see how it unfolds but I’m happy to do anything. It’ll be a great challenge.”
Willem Drew on Charlie Dixon, Jason Horne-Francis and Trent McKenzie looking to prove their fitness at training on Wednesday night:
“There are a few players training tonight who’ll be pushing for selection so hopefully they can get up and to get a few key players back in will be helpful.”
Willem Drew on whether the Carlton loss was a wake-up call for the side and a loss the team needed to have after 13-straight wins:
“You could call it a little bit of a wake-up call but we go into every game wanting to win and the Carlton game was no different. It wouldn’t have mattered how many we had won in-a-row, we would have wanted to win. This week is no different, we want to win and we’ll go out there and try do it.”
Willem Drew on Zak Butters being cleared of injury and his importance to the side:
“His whole year – his pre-season and the way he’s gone about the whole year is massive. I’m really glad to hear his scan was good and he’ll be ready to go.”
Willem Drew on not getting much of the limelight when the Port Adelaide midfield is discussed externally:
“That sort of stuff doesn’t really bother me. I know I’m valued internally and what I bring helps the team so that’s all that matters. That’s something Carry (Josh Carr) and Kenny (Ken Hinkley) have been telling me so I’ll keep doing that.”
Willem Drew on the side taking the unusual step of training under lights at Alberton Oval on Wednesday night:
“We’ve got some new lights here at Alberton so it’ll be good to be able to get a night session in. It’s not an overly different schedule. Over the year we’ve had different schedules and different days off so this week’s no different. It’s just a freshen up if anything.”
General public tickets for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash are officially exhausted, but fans without a ticket can still access the highly anticipated game by purchasing a Port Adelaide 3-game membership for just $100.
