Port Adelaide senior assistant coach Stuart Dew says injuries and suspensions will provide opportunities for players to step up and make an impact at AFL level.
Dew’s midfield may look a bit different to usual this weekend, but the coaching group has continued to experiment with the mix, taking the chance to expose different players to new roles as the season has evolved.
Speaking to the Adelaide media on Monday, Dew spoke on replacing injured players, Jason Horne-Francis’ suspension and the challenge of Fremantle this weekend.
Dew on the midfield group
“We've got a couple of boys a bit sore and sorry, but it'll be an opportunity for others. And I think throughout the year, guys that have come in have done a pretty good job that wouldn't necessarily normally play there. So it's a chance for some other guys to step up. But as always, we're trying to build a midfield around the group, not individuals. I feel like they've been buying into that in particular over the last six weeks. So we'll have to lean on that again.
“Everyone wants to play in the midfield, so now's the time to step in and get it done. So, look, there are some guys that we know are natural midfielders that play in different positions, so they'll get a good opportunity. And again, we lean on inexperienced guys, but sometimes having some youth in there is also good. You have that blissful attitude to taking on the best, and obviously Fremantle are red hot at the moment.”
Dew on Fremantle this weekend
“It's a good challenge. I feel like our best games this year have been when we’ve been backs to the wall. Geelong, the Hawthorn game, and even the Showdown. So we look forward to Saturday afternoon. We're playing against the best team. Weather looks good. Should be good atmosphere. So we need everyone to roll up on and off the field for us. I think (those times have) been our best games, and we need to make sure it's another good showing on the weekend.”
Dew on Zak Butters’ injury
“It's no surprise his act was trying to get the ball back off the opposition as quick as possible. Really, I am a bit thankful (because) watching it on tape, I thought, well, that's going to be the ankle injury that it is, plus a potential leg break. So, to get that news is a good one, and he'll be back as soon as he can, which is good.
“He thinks he can (make it back this season), but obviously he's booked in for surgery later in the week. So until they get in there and see the full extent. Generally after that, we get a bit of a report, and he'll set his timeline. I know he's already said he’ll make sure he's back, but we'll see how he goes. But one thing you know is he'll be itching to play again. He's a competitor. I reckon from memory, just off the top of my head, I think Joel Selwood had something similar and came back really quick, and it probably says something about their pain threshold as well. He's built different. Zak, he’s pretty tough.”
Dew on Mitch Georgiades’ rumoured contract extension
“I think if he had (re-signed), he'd be standing here, and I wouldn't be doing this. So, look, we'd love him to, but he's contracted through next year as well. So, the list managers are working through that. But one thing I know is, when he has made that decision, it'll be an official announcement, not a rumour, so we'll just keep working towards that.”
Dew on the forward line without Georgiades this weekend
“In a way it might be a blessing, (we’ll be) a little bit less predictable. Obviously when you're planning for us, you know Mitch draws the footy because of the way he gets separation and the way he can launch at the footy. So we'll try and use that to our advantage this week. Again, change the mix up a little bit. Jason’s spent time down there; he won't be there (thins week). So again, some more ball will go to different players and look for them to take those opportunities.”
Dew on Jason Horne-Francis’ one-match ban
“The footy department do a lot of work from the from the minute the game finishes to decision time. They look at the evidence, the history of those incidents. I think the grading is really hard to change when you go past (the footy) and you leave the ground. So it’s a pretty heavily debated decision, but you go with the facts, and that's how we landed.
Dew on the team performing under pressure
“I think it's the undertone of the competitiveness of the group. Even in games this year, I think a few times, obviously we wouldn't like to be, but we've fallen five goals down and we still fight. On the weekend we didn't start well. We put our hand up for that, but at half time, we were able to regroup, come back out, and I think two or three times got that margin back to three points. I think the players love a challenge. Ideally, we don't want to be giving too many head starts, but we look forward to playing the best team in the comp. It will be individually and collectively a good chance to test ourselves, and I think that some of these players are up for it.”
Dew on not having Zak Butters in the side this weekend
“Look, we'd rather him out there, but again, what it does mean is a hole opens up for someone else to fill. So, I think we'll work on who that might be, and at different times, that's been other players. When Zak's had a down quarter, other guys have stepped up, and that's important. So, obviously, his leadership will be missed. But again, we've got some emerging leaders, and even guys like Corey Durdin, who's new to the footy club, has been a real leader of the forward line, and showed that again on the weekend when Mitch went down. So we’ve got the capability there.”
Dew on who could come into the midfield
“We've probably been trying to share that load throughout the year and we’ve seen Jase Burgoyne get a bit more inside time and Joe Richards, even Corey Durdin can get up in around the stoppages. So trying to prepare our team for in games, when things aren’t moving, can we move some magnets? And I think we did a few moves on the weekend that paid off in the in the third quarter. So we're just trying to build that flexibility.”
Dew on Willem Drew
“I think the match committee will finalise who (the captain) will be (with Rozee and Butters out). You’re talking to the converted here (about Drew). He's team first. He plays both sides of the ball, so reliable, and he's always looking to make others better. He reminds me of Josh Dunkley. I spent a bit of time at Brisbane, and what he does for the team, not only for himself, but he makes others better around him. So Drewy is unsung, but certainly not within the footy club. Very respected.”
Dew on Fremantle’s tall forward line
“Yeah, potentially (we need to go tall in defence). Again, it could be a long match committee. A few boys have to train well from a physical point of view as well. So, we'll have a look, plan for their best, but also get our mix right. And we are lucky enough, we've got a couple of guys that can play a bit of tall and small, but that'll depend on the delivery (inside forward 50). So, the midfield’s job is to get the pressure on the ball, and that way you can potentially play a bit smaller, but they're pretty potent, aren't they?”
