End Game
Port’s string of hard losses continued against the Dockers at the weekend with a 40 point loss at Subiaco. Despite a strong start out of the blocks, the Power couldn’t find the goals in the second quarter and were let down by repeated errors with the ball. Possessions were down, but the 'pressure' stats, importantly tackels, were up in a reversal on previous weeks. John Butcher and Matt Broadbent fought hard all day to find the goals, whilst the Power’s backs battled against consistent entries into defensive fifty, not helped by turnovers from poor disposal.
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 7.5(47) def by
Fremantle 12.5 (87)
Best: McCarthy, Broadbent, Brad Ebert, Cassisi
Goals: Broadbent, Butcher 2, Brad Ebert, P. Stewart
Injuries: Young (ankle)
Headlines
We Can Turn It Around: Cassisi
Schulz, Young Face Tests
PTV: Rehn Post-Match
PTV: ‘Hoff Post-Match
Quarter-By-Quarter
In his own words - Matthew Primus
”I thought their effort and commitment to get at Fremantle, I thought their effort all game was good. We dropped off a little bit in the first quarter. Their ability to kick the ball back (and sometimes handball the ball back) to them took some of the goodness out of it for them [the players].”
“Once again I thought that towards the last 10 minutes they [Fremantle] gained some ascendency with some contested footy and we went away from getting some outside ball.”
“We allowed them to dictate at the stoppages [in the second quarter] and it was only until half time that we were able to rectify that.”
What it means
Port Adelaide sits 15th on the ladder with just one win. The remarkably close AFL season means it is only three wins out of the top eight (recent grand finalists Geelong and Hawthorn having a 4-3 record). The loss to Fremantle has not helped, but the trip to WA is no easy task for the best of teams (look at Geelong in round one). The result means that the Power still have a good opportunity to reclaim some form, and with the middle third of the season against teams who are not at the calibre of the Power’s first five (or six, or even seven) opponents, it is a prime opportunity to get back on track.
The future
It’s that getting back on track that is so critical for the Power, and the security of playing 2011’s top teams and 2012’s stand out performers will be for nothing if it can’t punish clubs like North Melbourne (on Saturday), Gold Coast and the Bulldogs before the bye. Port Adelaide’s season is by no means over and the supporters can keep faith in the fact that Port Adelaide has played streaks of good football against quality opposition. The disappointment of an opportunity lost against should burn in the hearts of the playing group and add to their resolve against the Roos and Suns over the course of the next fortnight. The Power must win this weekend if it is to get the momentum for a competitive showing against vulnerable high-flyers like Hawthorn and Carlton.
Injury list
Aaron Young was helped from the ground halfway through the final term at the weekend with an ankle injury and will be tested to determine his fitness against North Melbourne.
The Black and White
Port Adelaide got back on the winner’s list in the SANFL with a grinding win over North Adelaide at Alberton. The Magpies played hard and ugly but got the points as it took a hard game to the Roosters and punished them on the scoreboard. The Maggies were able to pull away from North at every Rooster response and the niggle and agitating style of game employed against North Adelaide could well feature as part of a new approach to the Magpies for the rest of the year.
The Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 13.11 (89) def
North Adelaide 11.13 (79)
Best: Slattery, Kulikowski, Gray, Rose, Grove, Biasci
Goals: Summerton 3, Gray, Grove, Thurgood 2, Wilson, Sharrad, Banner, Kulikowski
Coming Up
Saturday 19 May, 1.15pm
Port Adelaide v North Melbourne
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
Saturday 12 May, 2.10pm
Port Adelaide v Glenelg
Gilderol Stadium, Glenelg East
