1. Beware the new blood
Essendon was the first club to feel the Byrne last night.The Byrne-Jones that is...
Posted by Port Adelaide Football Club on Saturday, 9 April 2016
Darcy Byrne-Jones and Karl Amon were brought into the team as coverage for the injured Carlile and Wingard and put in compelling efforts.
For Byrne-Jones, it was a dream debut: a first goal, a battle scar, and a win. Such was the quality of his performance that Ken Hinkley has already committed to selecting him next week.
With Hartlett, Wingard and Schulz pushing to get out of rehab, those considered first-choice players will battle to keep their place if young players keep taking the opportunities they're presented.
Footy isn't just about earning your spot, it's about keeping it.
2. Good skills = good scores
.jpg)
Broadbent was one of the Power's best ball users on Friday [pic: AFL Media]
Port was booting goals when its ball use was peaking. Most efficient with the footy in the first half, the Power hit targets and looked the cleanest it has all year when pushing forward. It was the first time the Power has finished a game with efficiency above 70 percent.
3. Port looks better when it uses every option
Port kicked 12 of the game's last 18 goals and its big target Charlie Dixon top scored with 3.2.
But he wasn't the only option - Aaron Young booted three and now leads the Power's goal kicking with Robbie Gray. Westhoff, Gray and Amon all bagged two and the Power had five other scorers in its mix.
The Power, like most sides, is at its best when its midfield joins the party up forward. Hopefully, Round 3 signals a return to that potency.
4. Port can't rest easy yet, because...
It's one game.
The Power's effort on Friday night was good, but not perfect and the performance polishes away some of the grime left by their ignominious display against the Crows.
But Port will quickly crash back to square one without consistency - something acknowledged by senior players after Friday's win. The GWS Giants are now considered league pacesetters and are already earmarked as favourites for Round 4's clash in Canberra.
If the Power doesn't bring the intensity it did on Friday, it will battle to be the consistent side it wants to be.
Port Adelaide plays away to GWS Giants at StarTrack Oval, Canberra on Sunday 17 April at 1.10pm AEST.
MORE ON PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU ...
