Port Adelaide senior coach Glenn Strachan says consistency and execution remain key areas of focus as the Power prepare to face the Western Bulldogs on Friday afternoon. 

Speaking to the media at Alberton ahead of the side’s main training session, Strachan reflected on the team’s review following its loss to Sydney, the implementation of its revised game style and the importance of maintaining pressure and contest for longer periods. 

He also confirmed former premiership Lion Ellie Hampson will make her club debut after missing the first half of the season with a hip injury, while highlighting the importance of improving the group’s disposal efficiency and method going forward. 

Strachan on what the side reviewed from the Swans clash 
“Similar to what we've seen over the last couple of weeks, there are a couple of themes coming out of our performances. Our ability to connect inside 50 something that we're still chasing, but I thought our contest and pressure was really good in the first half, we probably couldn't maintain that over four quarters, which again is something that we have to rectify. Overall, I’m still proud. I thought that we got some parts right. It's just the consistency that we're still chasing, and we have for a while.” 

“I think it's probably just can we execute our game for longer patches. I feel like even in the third and fourth quarters, we got it right for small periods, a couple of minutes at a time, but we just couldn't hang on to that momentum for 10 or 12 minutes. It's probably a question of can we continue to show up in those moments and make that last as long as we can.” 

Strachan on implementing the revised game style 
“I think we've done a pretty good job of that over the last three to four weeks, where we've looked to go back to basics, but not go away from what we've tried to implement with our game model. The back-to-basics part is just our execution and how well we can fundamentally execute the skill. I feel like if we do that better and continue to increase our efficiency, then the game model will take care of itself. So, a little bit of back to basics, but also just do that within the framework of our structure.” 

“No, I don't think we’ve tried to change too much too soon. I think what we've tried to change is going to work long term. I think I said to Teagan (Germech) that we've only really had six goes at it in terms of actual match performance, so I still feel like we're trending in the right direction. It's a longer-term journey that we're prepared to take because I think for the foreseeable future, that's going to be a benefit. We're happy to learn these lessons now because we think it's going to build for our future, and hopefully in the years to come, we'll see the benefit of that.” 

Strachan on team morale 
“They're pretty good, I think they manage their emotions and how they're feeling about it pretty well. They have a good big picture lens at the moment, which I really like and try and lean into. I don't need to manage that too much; the leaders do a really good job of controlling that with the group.” 

Strachan on returning players from injury 
“We've got a couple back and available. Ellie Hampson's the big one, we got her across from Brisbane, and we think she's a really valuable player. I think she's going to build a lot for what we're trying to do, and she's going to play this week, which will be really exciting for her. We will manage her minutes, but I think ultimately, she'll be pretty close to a normal game load. She's going to bring her competitiveness, and her ability to hit the scoreboard, and it will be really useful for what we're trying to achieve.” 

Strachan on the four losses, two wins ledger 
“I wish we were closer to an even ledger. I think from an implementation point of view we're again pretty close to where we thought we would be and how much we could implement. Would have loved to win another one or two, obviously, but I guess that's kind of where we're at now. We can't change the past, and we just have to look forward to the Bulldogs this week.” 

Strachan on the side’s finals hopes ahead of Bulldogs clash 
“I probably haven't spent enough time looking at the ladder to work all that stuff out. I hope we go there and have a really strong showing (against the Bulldogs). And if that leads to a win, then great. I'm definitely not looking at finals as the end goal. If we get there, that's great. If we don't get there, we'll learn plenty of lessons. I probably haven't spent a whole lot of time looking into it, to be honest.” 

“We're pretty diligent with sticking to the week by week, which I know is cliche, but for us that's the honest truth. We're just looking at how we can improve week by week. How can we get in on Monday and be better than we were on Saturday and go from there.” 

“I wouldn't say we're taking a long-term approach, as in we're happy to lose. It's definitely not the way that we're going. But we are looking for progress over perfection, so we know that there's going to be some growing pains, and we're still chasing improvement all the time. If that comes with wins, great. If it doesn't, then we've all learned from it.” 

Strachan on the group’s inaccuracy in front of goal 
“We've looked to change our method and how we enter inside 50, and we've made some changes there. And I was really comfortable with what we saw on the weekend with the changes in that respect, I thought we had some better looks. Ultimately, there's also the case of we need to take our chances. I feel like we've had opportunities to either mark, cause a free kick, or take a stoppage that we just haven't been able to create. The girls are realistic with the fact we need to all be better with taking those moments, and we know that they'll lead to scores.” 

Strachan on disposal efficiency 
“That’s a focus for us at training. We're not hiding from our disposal efficiency and our efficiency inside 50 - we know that we need to be better in that area. That’s been a fair lens this week.”  

Strachan on Hawthorn breaking North Melbourne’s lengthy winning streak 
“I think it generates belief that you can beat anyone at any point in time. The fixture is always an interesting one in terms of when you play and how you play. We're playing Friday this week, which I don't know whether we've done either at all or for a long time. So, it's cool to play on grand final weekend in Melbourne, and you know that might just bring a little bit more intent or urgency for teams that are trying to win as many games as they can. So, I think it builds belief for everyone that you can catch anyone.” 

Strachan on preparing for the Western Bulldogs 
“I think their clearance works really strong, they've got some really good mids. Alice Edmonds as a ruck gives them first use, which will be a great test for Matilda (Scholz). Tilds has been playing great footy, so she's going to love coming up against her, but ultimately, I think the clearance battle's where it's going to be won."