PORT ADELAIDE coach Matthew Lokan has hailed his side’s 36-point win over previously undefeated Glenelg as its best of the season.
The Magpies dominated proceedings from start to finish to run out six-goal victors over the minor premiers and SANFL premiership favourites.
Lokan said that’s been the football the side has been striving to play all season.
“That's the brand of football we've been trying to achieve consistently all year,” he said.
“I think over the last two weeks that everyone would say our pressure and our ability to get at the opposition and contested ball has been first rate.
“Glenelg’s strength is its ability to win the ball out the contest and our guys probably won in that department and then our speed and ability to be able to get outside and be damaging going into our front half was a strength as well.
“I was really pleased today, I thought it was probably the best game we’ve played all year and to beat the best in the competition is a good way to finish the season.”
In the first quarter the Magpies were kicking into a strong breeze which blew across the ground but favoured the western end, and managed to boot five goals to two to send them on their way.
Lokan said it was a focus to ensure his side was at least level at quarter-time, if not better.
“That was a real focus, we knew that if we were kicking into the wind that we needed to probably go in as a nil-all draw at quarter-time and we were lucky to get an extra couple of goals,” he said.
Port welcomed back Mitch Georgiades, Sam Powell-Pepper, Sam Mayes, Jarrod Lienert, Lachie Jones and Hamish Hartlett to the line-up and Lokan said it was good to get some form into those pushing for AFL finals footy.
“It was pleasing that we were able to get some good form into some guys that are pushing to play in the AFL finals and if required, we know they’re ready to play AFL footy,” he said.
Port Adelaide’s win was not enough to see it sneak into the finals. The Magpies fell a win and percentage out of the top five with a 9-9 win-loss record.
