Port Adelaide senior coach Glenn Strachan says the Power will look to make some small adjustments to its method this week after reviewing its Round 4 loss to Gold Coast.
Speaking to the media at Alberton on Tuesday, Strachan said his side had reflected on its efficiency and decision-making going inside 50, while remaining confident in the group’s ability to continue embedding its new game style.
With two wins and two losses to start the season, Strachan said he was pleased with the side’s defensive output and optimistic that improvements in offence could help build momentum over the coming weeks.
He also discussed the forward line mix following Indy Tahau’s season-ending injury, the upcoming challenge against Melbourne, and the opportunities presented by injuries to co-vice-captain Sachi Syme and midfielder Ella Boag.
Strachan on the Round 4 loss to the Suns
“It was a tough, gritty game. It was a good contest, but obviously one that we didn't finish the way that we wanted to. Given the conditions and how it played out, watching it back, we're proud of some of our efforts, but at the same time, we didn't win the game, and we need to keep getting better, and we will come up against a pretty good team this week that's going to require us to be better. The girls' intent was really strong, but we have reflected on how we couldn't get it done in probably the last quarter, especially.”
Strachan on what the side has reviewed from the loss
“Efficiency going inside 50 is something that we looked at. The differences in style of play was also a really interesting one, watching it back. A little bit of it was around our execution, given the conditions, and a little bit of it was our decision-making. Probably what we've reviewed the most over the last few days was our decision going inside 50 and what we were looking for and what we want to execute. I feel like the group's in a good place now, and we'll change a few things, and we'll just try and do a few things better, but also, we'll change some method, and hopefully it looks a little bit different this week.”
Strachan on the forward line mix following Indy Tahau’s injury
“I am really confident we’ve got the depth we need. We've obviously brought some people in, like Julia Teakle, who played on the weekend, and she gives us a pretty good focal point. Gem (Gemma Houghton) is always going to be that offensive focal point, and we know what Lauren Young has done. But I feel equally as confident with our smalls. I think they've been performing really strongly, and what they give us on the ground is something that we value really highly. I think we just lean on everybody, and if we can all do a better job, then hopefully we get the output we want.”
Strachan on securing two wins on the road and two losses at home so far this season
“I know we travel well because the group's super connected. The games that we've played at home have both been against good opponents. Hawthorn and Gold Coast are both going to be really successful over the next few years. Hawthorn have been already, and that's not to take away from the teams we've played on the road. I just think it's been a matter of we've been able to get those games on our terms a little bit more than maybe the ones here. In saying that, though, we won most of the stats against Gold Coast on the weekend, and we just couldn't finish. What I do know, though, is that none of the four games have looked the same, so we have to keep finding ways to keep getting better and playing different modes. I'm sure this week will be a different challenge again.”
Strachan on making small changes while embedding the new game style
“It's funny. We probably lean on that a lot, where small changes can make a big difference. So, you come up against a team, and you know, I thought we did a good job defensively against the Giants, although they still were effective when they went inside 50. But then against the Gold Coast, they didn't have a whole lot of inside 50s. So, small changes make a big difference, and I think we're all aware of our offense and how we want that to click. And I think if we make some small shifts, then yeah, we should be better because of it. We spoke about the infancy of our game style last night in our review, and part of it was we're still early in that journey. So, I feel like the knowledge and understanding is really good, and now it's just our ability to do it consistently.”
Strachan on what the side learned from facing the Demons in the pre-season clash
“That was a really good game of footy where the skill level was high, and both teams got looks at it offensively. I thought the pressure that we put on the ball was really strong, and so if we can do that again, then I think that goes a fair way against a really good team. Melbourne have played some great footy this year. Lots of people are saying that they're the ones to challenge North. If we can take away their strengths and bring some of our own, then I think we'll give them a real challenge.”
Strachan on the season so far
“I'm pretty confident that we knew we were going to get some parts of our game right and build on what we had across pre-season, and then also we knew that there's going to be some challenges along the way with embedding a new system. It’s pretty accurate to where we kind of thought we'd be. The stats and metrics are showing that we're doing a good job defensively. If we can click some of our offense together, then hopefully we'll play some good footy in the next, yeah, four to six weeks.”
Strachan on Sachi Syme and Ella Boag’s injuries
“Sachi has struggled along the way this year. She has injured her hamstring, and it's looking maybe like three to four weeks out. I'd love it to be sooner, she's such a valuable member of our team, and obviously a vice-captain, but I think she'll have a little bit of time away from playing. I know she's so diligent with her rehab that I'm sure next week she'll be coming in trying to play! But it'll be a little bit of time out for her and for Ella Boag, who is on a similar timeline as well. But I'm sure we'll see them back sooner rather than later.”
Strachan on the impact of injuries in a 12-game season
“It's tough, we're four games in, and I was talking to one of my coaches last night about how we're a third of the way through the regular season already. So, to miss those games is obviously significant, but no different to any other team and their injury list. So, we'll just have to rely on our depth and, I mean, it presents great opportunity for other players, so hopefully they take it. We've got players that have been training really well that will be vying for a spot. We’ll look at our depth and who can come in and play roles and fill those, and I'm sure whoever gets a chance will be really excited to take on Melbourne.”
Strachan on Gemma Houghton
“I think what she's doing defensively is drastically different to what she's done in the past, and I see that as a really shining light for her. It was also great to see her kick a goal and be able to celebrate, she threw up a number 10 for Indy (Tahau). But we're confident with what Gemma's doing and the path that she's on, and if she can continue that, then we'll be really happy.”
“I mean interchange and the way that you rotate is always an interesting one. Gemma wasn’t on the bench by design, just through the state of the game and her rotation. She was off at the end, and it would have been nice if she was there and could have kicked the goal. But equally, it felt like we had enough chances. We just needed to take one.”
