Depth and consistency critical for final games: Ebert
Port Adelaide must find consistency in its game if it is to challenge Fremantle and Carlton in the final two games of the year says vice-captain Brad Ebert.
Speaking to FIVEaa after the Power's 17-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday, Ebert praised the coaching staff for their management of the side throughout the long season.
“I think everyone’s been feeling really good, the way it’s been staffed and the way they are managing us: the recovery; the training; that sort of stuff has been really fantastic," said Ebert.
"They have been able to keep on top of it and keep us in the best possible shape."
Port Adelaide has the third youngest list in the AFL behind Gold Coast and GWS, but Ebert still believes the Power will be a force to be reckoned with at the tail-end of the season.
It faces top-four contender Fremantle in Perth next Saturday and ninth-placed Carlton in the final match of the year.
Ebert credits the playing group's newfound consistency in and pressure for spots throughout the season with the continued standard of its football.
“That’s obviously something we have been working on - the consistency of everyone throughout the club,” he said.
“We’ve got the influence of the guys in the SANFL pushing the guys in the AFL and it has really stepped up our standard I guess and has put us in good stead.”
After a slow start against Geelong in Round 20 and allowing Gold Coast back into the game on Saturday, Ebert said playing four consistent quarters of football will be top on the club's agenda this week.
“We made sure we went out hard and we really tried to pump up the intensity and that sort of stuff in the start," he said.
"They (Gold Coast) were obviously able to fight back so it was good that we were able to run over the top of them in the end.
“We keep talking about it (consistency) and we keep trying to make an emphasis of it during the week.
"We've just got to make sure that we’re doing that over the next few weeks.”
Port Adelaide travels to Perth to play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium next Saturday afternoon.