PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Jarrad Schofield held a press conference on Monday after the Power’s JLT Community Series loss to Adelaide at the weekend.
Schofield said Paddy Ryder would be assessed after rolling his ankle in the last quarter but appeared on track to be considered for Saturday’s meeting with North Melbourne.
The Power midfield coach discussed what he liked out of the 17-point loss to the Crows, highlighting young players Zak Butters and Willem Drew.
He also outlined his plans to use Travis Boak in the midfield more in 2019.
Here are the best bits:
Jarrad Schofield on Paddy Ryder’s rolled ankle and playing against the Kangaroos:
"If he's right to go I'm sure he'll want to play, and we want to make sure we keep putting our best players out there. Once again, for that simple reason, that he and Scotty (Lycett) are building that good relationship on field. We'll get through his assessment and then we'll make a decision at match committee on Wednesday."
Jarrad Schofield on the positives he took from the game against the Crows:
“Our ball movement was strong. All the things that we worked on in pre-season, offensively and defensively and even stuff around the midfield. We ticked a lot of boxes and were pretty positive walking away from the game. We’ve got new players playing as well, so there was a lot to take out of the game.”
Jarrad Schofield on young draftee Zak Butters after his 25-disposal game:
"He got a lot of the ball. He plays on instinct, which is what we like. He's got that real creative flair about him. He's compliant with his structure and you can't question his attack on the footy for a guy of his size. Once again, that creativity you’ve got to harness a little bit. So he ticked a lot of boxes in a lot of areas, but there are some areas he needs to improve on and grow in as a young player. He’s a young kid, 18 years of age, coming out of Under 18s stepping up to men, so there’s still some growth there."
Jarrad Schofield on Willem Drew’s chances of playing in Round 1:
"There's a guy who's missed nearly 12 months of football, played in the under-23s trial, showed his real talent and clean hands in tight and he stepped up again against a quality midfield featuring the Crouch brothers and (Rory) Sloane. He's definitely putting his case forward, he's right in the mix and I'm sure he'll get another look this week."
Jarrad Schofield on Travis Boak spending more time in the midfield:
"In my eyes, I would like to shift him more to midfield and going forward. That might swing that way a little bit, whereas previously, he's probably played more as that half-forward then pinch-hitting in the midfield. We'd like to maybe go the other way, play a bit more midfield and then go forward. You can't question his work ethic to get up and down the ground. He's got leg speed and he's got great experience. So, you put all of those things together and that's what I want as a midfield coach."
