PORT ADELAIDE'S coaching staff is taking a measured approach to Sunday afternoon’s loss to top three side the Brisbane Lions, according to Port’s forward development coach, Chad Cornes.
Speaking on SEN’s Breakfast program this morning Cornes said he sympathised with supporters after the disappointing 48-point loss and conceded the Lions’ early dominance left the Port midfield targeted and under pressure.
“Yeah it was one of those very frustrating games. (It was) one of the ones where you feel for the supporters,” he said.
“The way they (Brisbane Lions) started, credit to them first off, they are very good team.
“The pressure around the ball, you know, I’ve never seen so many smothers in a game and smothering for me is one of those little things that go unnoticed a lot of the time.
“Their hunt and pressure on the ball in that first 15 minutes was outstanding and their midfield clearly got on top of ours early.”
Cornes also insisted that despite the frustrating win/loss pattern in recent weeks, senior coach Ken Hinkley was remaining consistent with his attitude.
The Power’s runner said training standards had been really good for a long period of time, explaining that everyone at the club was doing everything possible to address the inconsistency.
“Kenny’s had a really consistent mood, no matter the win/loss during the year, and that’s something we’ve spoken about pre-season,” he said.
“We don’t want to let the win/loss tally set affect how we go about things at the club.
“The boys’ training has been really, really solid over the last couple of months and that’s something you go back and look at after a loss like that.”
With Ryan Burton and Brad Ebert suffering respective hamstring and knee injuries in the loss to the Lions, the Power will be forced into some changes at the selection table.
Cornes highlighted the number of Port players that have stood out in the SANFL, with the Magpies securing their fifth win in a row on the weekend.
The Magpies dominated the Crows, enjoying a 30-point victory in the SANFL Showdown at Port Pirie on Saturday afternoon.
The forward development coach said the performance of the Magpies in recent weeks has instilled confidence in the club.
“The SANFL boys, on a positive note, have had a really good month of footy, so there has been some selection pressure coming from underneath, but it’s not an instant fix,” Cornes said.
“They will put a bit of pressure on the AFL.”
Among those Cornes praised for their performances in the SANFL was defender Matthew Broadbent who managed 38 disposals and 17 marks in a typically composed performance.
Cornes said he was confident Broadbent could return to the AFL in the future.
“He’s definitely in the mix,” he said.
“Broady is one of those teammates that all the boys love and the supporters love him.
“Since his couple weeks off, he just looks fresher, he looks sharper, he’s covering the ground really well, and he was really good across half back on the weekend.”
The 39-year-old also commended forward Billy Frampton and small-forward Boyd Woodcock for their six and four goal respective returns on Saturday afternoon.
“We had some guys up forward; Bill Frampton again kicked six goals two,” Cornes said.
“Young Boyd Woodcock has put together a really good first year on a Power list.
“He’s probably been one of our more consistent players and he kicked four on the weekend again.”
