PORT ADELAIDE is aiming to break a five-game SANFL losing streak when it comes up against Central District on Saturday.
The Magpies haven’t won since Round 2, suffering a draw and five losses, including a defeat to South Adelaide at Noarlunga last week.
On Saturday they travel to Elizabeth to take on a Bulldogs side, at My Money House Oval, that has lost its last three games by an average margin of 47 points.
The Bulldogs went down to Norwood by 96 points in their last match a fortnight ago and Port Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan is expecting them to come out firing at home after a week off.
“They obviously play at Elizabeth really well and their strengths are their run and carry, which we need to stop,” he said.
“They’ve got Travis Schiller in really good form and Justin Hoskin, who is an ex-Port Magpie guy, playing some good footy.
“But, we’re more focused on what we need to do and we obviously haven’t won since round 2.
“Each game is becoming really important for us but we’ll go out there with a really positive mindset.”
Despite the six-goal loss to the Panthers last week, Lokan has reason to be positive about his young and inexperienced side, although he has admitted there is plenty of room for improvement.
“Our form hasn’t been where we would like it to be over the last month or so,” he said.
“But, I felt we certainly improved in a couple of areas last week against South Adelaide and we just need to be able to replicate that against Centrals and tidy up in the area of disposals, particularly going forward.
“This is another opportunity for us to win and those wins are becoming increasingly important to be able to hang in there to make the five.”
The Magpies suffered a significant injury blow with young ruckman Sam Hayes ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Hayes, 18 and in his first season since being drafted, suffered the injury during a training drill.
He had shown glimpses of his talent and had impressed Lokan with his progress since arriving at the club as a dual Under 18 All-Australian at pick 47 in the 2017 AFL draft.
“We’ve got Billy Frampton who is a fourth-year ruckman and also Peter Ladhams so in regards to replacing Sam in the ruck and forward roles we have a couple of options,” Lokan said.
“It’s really disappointing for Sam, he’s been showing some real growth this season and been in some good form both in the ruck and in the forward line.
“It was an unfortunate incident that happened at training but speaking to Sam, he’s got a really positive attitude and he’ll come back bigger and better next year.”
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