Port Adelaide assistant coach Sam Virgo says there are several key areas to review following the team’s 14-point loss to Collingwood in their final pre-season practice match, as preparations ramp up for the round one clash against Fremantle on Sunday, August 17.
Speaking to portadelaidefc.com.au post-match, Virgo said the group will focus on reviewing their contest work, offensive structures, and ability to halt opposition momentum in the lead-up to round one.
Virgo on the game
“It was a bit of a game of two halves. I thought Collingwood were first to the footy and really beat us up around the ball and contested possession generally in the first half. We were pleased with the way that our players responded in the second half with a high work rate and intent to change the course of the game. So, we were pleased with that but have a bit to work on in terms of playing four quarters of football.”
Virgo on what the side will review leading into Round 1
“We will have a look at just playing our style of footy, and when it's not going our way, what steps can we take to change the momentum of the game. I thought our defenders held up well under really strong pressure. So, we're really pleased with that.”
“We will have a break next weekend, which will be a nice little refresh for the group, but certainly there are some parts of our game that we've got to go to work on, particularly this week and then leading into round one against Fremantle. We've got to get our contest shape right, and we've got to make sure that we get the offensive aspects of our game in place, and then defensively we need to improve our method around how we stop the opposition’s momentum, so we have a little bit to work on.”
Virgo on the team’s communication and connection
“I think we took a little step forward again in how effective we are communicating, both between players and players and coaches. It’s about how we can help each other with what's happening in the game, and what little problems we can solve in the moment, without waiting for the coaches or while they’re rotating on the bench – so that's continuing to be a work in progress. It’s something we will keep encouraging our players to do, to keep supporting each other and communicating with each other on the field.”
“We're hearing the players speak to each other more and more, particularly at the breaks – it's a dream for the coaches if the players are talking effectively and working out what we need to do, and the problems that we need to solve. So, we are seeing that more consistently, and we encourage them to do it more when the game is not going our way. I thought we took a step forward in that respect today.”
Virgo on Chloe Gaunt and Kirsty Lamb’s performance
“It's great to get some minutes into Chloe as a first-year player, and it was Lamby’s (Kirsty Lamb’s) first hit-out back from injury. We don't expect them to be flying, but it was really nice to get some minutes into their legs and expose them against a quality opposition – we were happy with that outcome.”
