Online Game Days: News, Chat Reminder, Photos & More
Gold Coast has been beaten by an average margin of 93 points in its opening three games, but the club has showed signs of improvement since its diabolical debut against Carlton in round two.
Easter Friday Training Photos
Primus said he had encouraged his players to stamp their authority on the game in the first quarter.
"We understand they've got some quality players and that the more they play together the better they're going to get. They're going to be better this week than what they were last week," he said.
"In the last few years we've been pretty good at backing up after showdown games. It's just another test to make sure that our professionalism and attitude is spot on."
The player that best typifies the ANZAC spirit on Saturday afternoon will be awarded the Peter Badcoe VC medal.
In other news, first-round draft pick Ben Jacobs, who missed the opening month of the season with glandular fever, starred in his comeback game with the Port Magpies reserves on Thursday night, while recruit Simon Phillips (jaw) will return with Norwood on Monday.
The club is optimistic fancied draftee Ben Newton (ankle) will play his first game of the season in the SANFL reserves next weekend.
Midfielder Kane Cornes has been denied the opportunity of a late reprieve for the club's clash with Gold Coast at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, with suspect forward Robbie Gray completing training on Friday.
Gray was under an injury cloud again this week, but passed a fitness test before training on Friday morning and was cleared to join in the session.
Cornes trained alongside fellow emergencies Mitch Banner and Daniel Stewart at Alberton Oval, but will line up in the SANFL reserves on Saturday because his club Glenelg has the bye.
The triple best and fairest winner was dropped for the game against Adelaide last week.
The club opted not to release Cornes for SANFL duties last weekend, preferring for him to have the weekend off to freshen up mentally and physically.
The Power made only one forced change to the team that beat the Crows, with forward Jason Davenport coming in at the expense of injured onballer Paul Stewart (knee).
It was decided Cornes shouldn't spend consecutive weeks on the sidelines, and coach Matthew Primus said the premiership player and dual All Australian had taken his demotion to the reserves well.
"Kane's attitude has been terrific. He'll go back to the reserves and no doubt perform very well," Primus said on Friday.
"SANFL is a lot different to what he's doing with us, but Kane's aware of what he needs to do. It's just a matter of him getting used to that role [playing across half-back] and playing within those boundaries there.
"He's been used to 10 years or so of playing as an onballer, so it's just a matter of him trusting that he can do it well, understanding what he needs to do and what his results have to be in that position."
Banner, who was kept out of the Port Magpies' game against South Adelaide on Thursday night, will be on stand-by as the emergency.
Katrina Gill covers Port Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
