1. Tackle pressure produces best Port footy
The Power have manufactured their two best quarters for 2016 in the last three weeks – first against Richmond and now the opening term against North. The Power’s intensity – hard running and pressure around the footy – helped them to the early advantage from which they never looked back.
Going into the season proclaiming a tough, hard brand of ‘Port Adelaide football’, the Power has struggled to produce that tone consistently, but Saturday’s opening term – and others like it dotted through the year – have proven they will win matches when they bring its top tackling game.
Connecting Power has plenty of energy
Puns to one side, the point is valid. Saturday’s performance was characterised by role play perhaps more than any game this year. The Power’s forward, mids and backs were strong all night, they bested the Roos in most facets. Whether it was the midfield churning out the wins at stoppages, the fowards swarming in space up forward or the blanket jobs performed by the defence, Port was comprehensively on song.
'Connection' is a word Power players will use to describe how they want to play, and it was apparent there was plenty of it on Saturday night.
Charlie, Justin and Jay look good together
And throw in Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard and you have as potent a forward line in the AFL as any.
But the injection of Jay Schulz gives Port a mobile tall forward option – it covers Westhoff moving up field, and gives a third string to the Power’s bow when the beard brigade is roaming inside 50. Charlie Dixon didn’t goal on Saturday, but he didn’t need to when his colleagues booted six between them. Wingard and Gray were dangerous all night, and should probably have enjoyed more goals than they had.
It’s a positive heading into the final six games.
It’s still Port versus the maths, but the Power are still alive
Yes, the Power are alive – a stretch to say ‘alive and well’ - but still fighting for the top eight.
The win over North puts them squarely in the mix if the Roos continue their form spiral. The Power must win at least five of their final six games. That’s a mammoth ask going on season-long form in 2016, but strange things happen in footy, and this team has done the home sprint well before - and as early as last year.
Port Adelaide hosts GWS Giants at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday 24 July at 4.10pm ACST. BUY TICKETS
