LESSONS FROM LAST WEEK
Self belief – we know we have what it takesto beat our better-rated opponents. Last weekend, the players found a way towin and, in the end, we were playing very good footy.
OUR BACKLINE
Our flexibilityto move different players into defence at different times has been responsiblefor our improvement in this area. For example, Jordan Bannister went down therelast weekend and did a fantastic job against Brad Johnson. From this aspect, weare very pleased.
THEIR FORWARDS
Port pushtheir half-forwards into the midfield to try to create a lot of space for the likesof Brett Ebert, Damon White and Warren Tredrea – who have all been playingwell. We have to be mindful of how much space these guys get and how much damagethey're causing. That is the debate - do you go with them or do you stay backto guard the space?
CENTRELINE BATTLE
Port are one of the best teams in the AFL atstoppages, so this is an area we have to get right. They have a very goodmidfield and you have to pay them the utmost respect. However, you still haveto win the ball yourself. If you are not, you are just chasing them around allday.
The hardest thing for modern-daymidfielders is the attack-to-defence transition – making sure you are on top ofyour opponent when they have got the ball. And when they don’t, making sure youare off and free and trying to win the footy.
THE RUCK DUEL
BrendanLade is a dominant ruckman and has a very big say in the result of the game. Ifhe is going well, then their foot soldiers underneath him get their hands onthe ball pretty much straight away. He is a big key for the supply to both theBurgoynes and Cornes brothers. At the end of the day, whoever wins thestoppages will most probably win the game.
OUR FORWARDS
When you have goalkickers such as JarradWaite, Brendan Fevola, Brad Fisher and Lance Whitnall, it is a very dangerousset-up. We know that if we get the ball in there and get a one-on-one contest,they are really hard to beat. That is one of the great things about having adangerous forward line; the opposition will always have to worry about them. Also,we rotated a few more players through the forward line last week which helped usto get a greater spread of goalkickers. Twelve goalkickers was a fantasticresult.
THEIR BACKLINE
Port Adelaide’s backline isvery honest. Toby Thurstans has gone back there and Darryl Wakelin is an oldtrooper who has done a great job for the Power. But, predominantly, they aremade up of lesser-known players like Jacob Surjan, Michael Pettigrew, Matt Thomasand Greg Bentley. They are not the names everyone knows, but they seem to do afair job most weeks. I don’t think you can underestimate anyone at AFL levelbecause as soon as you do, they come up and bite you on the backside
I thinksupporters are in for a great game. Port Adelaidehas lost their past three games, so they are going to want to get off to aflyer. We are playing good footy and if you’ve seen any of our trainingsessions this week, the self belief has been bubbling amongst the players. Theyknow they are on the verge of taking a few more teams on and getting the resultswe deserve.
I thinkthe game against Port will be won at the stoppages. The Telstra Dome is a quickground, so the supply to the forward line will be crucial and will have a bigsay in who wins the game.
