TOUGH bodies and a hard work ethic in training are the reasons for Port Adelaide’s Showdown victory over Adelaide, according to Steven Salopek.

The midfielder racked up 33 touches in his side’s 26-point victory as the Power bounced back from last week’s defeat by St Kilda to claim Showdown XXVI.

Salopek believed an honest assessment of previous mistakes helped the Power to victory.

“We were very disappointing last week and to bounce back the way we did was terrific,” he said after the game.

“We had a hard week on the track with a lot of one on one stuff that we probably weren’t great at against St Kilda, and to come out [of the game] like this is a great feeling.”

Salopek said the Power hadn’t focused too much on winning the stoppages, but instead with the overall contested aspect of the game.

“We had a pretty solid hit out on Monday just with one on ones, tackles, hit-outs and smothers, which we weren’t that good at last week.

“Obviously we’ve set the benchmark now and we know the standard we can get to.

“There were guys in there like Matt Thomas, Peter (Burgoyne), and Chad (Cornes) who was outstanding, putting their bodies on the line for the team and that was a terrific effort.

“Now that we’ve done it this week, we’re going to have to make sure we do it again next week.”

Salopek highlighted the impact that an improved Warren Tredrea is having on the side.

The full-forward kicked three more goals to take his season’s tally to 17 and Salopek believes the former captain is moving as well as ever despite his age.

“The way he’s moving now is obviously terrific although he’s ancient like a dinosaur,” Salopek said, tongue-in-cheek.

“It’s so much easier when you’ve got the ball outside 50 and you can see him moving to the ball and leading strongly.”