Port Adelaide senior assistant coach Stuart Dew says the team has emerged from its recent internal trial and State of Origin games in strong shape, as they now focus on Friday’s match simulation against Adelaide.
Speaking to the media at Alberton on Monday, Dew spoke about Jason Horne-Francis’ expected selection in the match simulation following a minor shoulder issue, Connor Rozee’s leadership and maturity as captain, and the ongoing battle for Round 1 selection.
He also highlighted how rucks Dante Visentini and Jordon Sweet are adapting to the new ruck rules, and the opportunity the depth they have in the midfield with the addition of Will Brodie.
Port Adelaide will host the Crows at Alberton on Friday, 20 February in a pre-season match simulation. Entry is free, with the non-selected players’ hit-out kicking off at 3pm, followed by the AFL-selected teams at 5:30pm.
The Power will then travel to Perth the following weekend for their AAMI Community Series clash against West Coast.
Dew on how Mitch Georgiades and Zak Butters pulled up after Saturday’s State of Origin
“As far as Friday night went, we all got through unscathed. Obviously, there were a few knocks, but nothing serious. Mitchell (Georgiades) is just being assessed — he got stepped on in that part of the leg. They haven't scanned him and haven’t felt the need at this point, so we will just see how he pulls up. And obviously Zak got through no dramas as well.”
Dew on managing Mitch Georgiades and Zak Butters’ involvement in the State of Origin
“We probably went a little bit precautionary knowing he (Georgiades) had that game coming up. And it's a big honour for these players. Even in talking to Mitch and Zak, they were pumped to play for their state. In some ways, there would be a lot of jealous boys that wish they were playing in that game around the best players. You know, it's another training preparation run for them, but surrounded by the best — so it can only be a good thing.”
Dew on the standard of the State of Origin game
“I did watch it, probably to watch our two boys, so I had a vested interest. But I think it looked like the players enjoyed it, and ultimately, the players are the number one barometer. I think if we looked at it and thought that it was a bit Mickey Mouse, I think then that'll change it. But the players were really into it and, from what I hear, a lot of the history of State of Origin was brought forward by those players. So, I think again, it's a chance for players to learn off the best. And you know, it's three or four days out of your program, so yeah, the risk of injury — but Zak and Mitch would have played Friday night as well, which is exactly the same in some ways, but it's a little bit more controlled. I think the communication between the state teams and the clubs was first class.”
Dew on Georgiades and Butters’ State of Origin melee
“What was it, about five minutes in (the melee)? It was probably about four minutes later than I thought it would be! They’re housemates, so they have got plenty to argue about!”
Dew on his assessment of Friday night’s internal trial
“It was a good battle. We picked even teams for a reason, so it was good to have a good physical hit out, got the running in the legs. I always think that with internals, the best outcome is no major injuries. As we know February is a bit of that month, so to get through a big hit out for a couple of hours is a good thing.”
Dew on spots up for grabs ahead of Friday night’s match simulation against Adelaide
“We don't know yet. There are a couple of sessions to get through, but it’s likely we'll go with that 25-26 number for Friday. I'm forecasting a decent match committee, given it's a new group, new coaching group, and there'll be lots of good, healthy debate.”
Dew on players battling for Round 1 selection
“Look it'll be a balance. I mean, ultimately, we're preparing for the season as a whole and preparing the main group. So that'll take priority, which is how we want it to look come Round 1 and working back from there. We did have a few players missing on Friday night that'll play this week (in the match simulation). So, look, it's an opportunity to start to narrow the squad, but it’s never final. But also, on the flip side, who plays in Round 1 is rarely who plays in Round 2, so we need to just prepare the whole squad.”
Dew on Soldo’s injury and the possibility of a third list spot
“There is that mechanism, but we're just assessing at the moment on a needs basis and how that all looks. Look, a week or so ago, we had three rucks and we weren't sure who was going to start. So, you go from feeling like you got too many, and then if one goes down, you do feel a little bit skinny. But on the flip side, we've also got Ollie Lord and Jack Whitlock that are more that forward ruck but are developing into fairly capable ruckmen as well. I think it's always a balancing act. Sometimes you look and feel a little bit thin, but at the moment we've got two guys there who are making each other better every day.”
Dew on how Dante Visentini and Jordon Sweet are adapting to the new ruck rules
“They're working out their right craft (with the new rules), and I'm sure each ruck will have a little dossier on each of the different rucks at different teams, and they'll have different tactics. Some like to jump, and some will still be able to use their body. They'll work their way around that — it's a real craft area.”
Dew on the likelihood of playing two rucks in Round 1
“I’m not sure. I mean it might be depending on who the opposition is as well. But then again, you know, they've spent a little bit of time forward both of them as well, just to forecast that, if we need that to be an option with that 23rd man now active for the whole game.”
Dew on what Will Brodie has brought into the midfield group
“He's been good. He's come in and I think he's really shown how clean he can be on the inside and starting to add a little bit more outside stuff to his game. So again, you know, you need midfield depth, whether that's game to game or across the season. He's had a really good preseason so far.”
Dew on selecting Will Brodie, Ollie Wines and Willem Drew in the same midfield
“I wouldn't say no, because I think even Willem Drew is a little bit different. And certainly, I can see him covering the ground and even getting forward because he is such a nice shot at goal. I think we can evolve his game to be a little bit more two way and inside, outside. And again, with that 23rd player, it might depend on opposition and conditions.”
Dew on Jason Horne-Francis’ selection in the match simulation side
“He'll play. Look, he could have played Friday night, but we just went a little bit conservatively and gave him a good session instead. It’s just been a little bit of a shoulder complaint that you can play with, but the more you rest them, the less it hangs around. So, we think that with that extra week, it should be a non-issue going forward.”
Dew on managing pre-season injuries
“I guess it’s managing the temptation to take the shackles off instantly. And I think you know, even again, with 23 players on the ground, I think you'll see more players that can come back quicker and be able to manage them through the game that way. I don't think there's going to be 23 players playing for 100 odd minutes. There's always going to be a couple around 60 to 70 per cent, and I anticipate that that'll help with guys like Jason that have had a little bit of an interrupted pre-season.”
Dew on what players have impressed him this pre-season
“I could talk all day, but I probably shouldn’t! I really came in with a fresh set of eyes and haven't asked too many questions about individuals, just to try and form my own opinion and give the players a fresh start as well. So, there's a few things. I think Miles (Bergman) and Drewy’s (Willem Drew) ability to cover the ground and their ball use under pressure and composure is really outstanding. Zak's brutality around the contest is fearsome — I haven't seen someone train and work with that intensity. Ollie (Wines) has ramped up now, and I think he played really well Friday night — nice and clean, hit the scoreboard, so he'd be happy with that.”
Dew on Connor Rozee’s maturity as captain
“Connor has impressed me with his maturity and his whole club focus, how he wants to grow the list and leadership capability. He's willing to learn, but he's also a good one to get information from in terms of how the group are traveling and what they need. And clearly flexible — it's a bit of a luxury to have him at half back, and you can inject him into the midfield at any time. That's certainly something that we will go to at different times. I'm sure Connor can even feel the game and put himself in there as well, and we've got the players that can drop back to give him that freedom.”
Dew on Rozee’s move to half back
“It is a position where you can captain the side really well. You can set the players up when we're in the front half, you can be a steady hand, leadership wise, when it's in the back half under pressure. So, it's a bit like seeing Pat Cummins at mid-off, because you can talk to the players at every ball. Connor's a little bit like that, he can keep talking to the defenders and can feed the midfield information.”
