PORT Adelaide is aiming to finish its season on a high with its final three games of the SANFL season, starting with Sturt at Unley Oval today.
The Magpies led at the final change during the two sides last meeting, but were unfortunately overrun by the Double Blues who claimed a 13-point victory at Alberton Oval.
Coach Matthew Lokan said regardless if his side is out of contention for finals action this season, it is vital they finish off the season with good form and continue to develop his young Magpies outfit.
“Sturt are obviously just inside the five, so each game is important for them,” he said.
“It's important for us to finish off the season really strong.
“We had a really strong game against Centrals two weeks ago now and it's nice to be able to get some players back and hopefully finish off the season really strong.”
Injuries and illness have limited Port's ability to field its AFL-listed players in the SANFL this season.
However, the Magpies got some much-needed experience back into the side during its last outing; a 23-point win over Central District.
Despite losing Steven Motlop to retirement and Brynn Teakle, Xavier Duursma, Trent McKenzie and Jackson Mead to AFL duties from the side that overcame the Bulldogs, Lokan is excited to see what his line-up can produce against Sturt.
“Josh Sinn will be in for his second game back from injury, Trent Dumont has got another couple of weeks of training under his belt,” he said.
“To be able to have more experience back into our team is terrific; Sam Mayes has been dominant at this level.
“We expect a really good showing this week.”
The Double Blues are fighting for their place in the SANFL finals and are expected to be a tough task to defeat at Unley, a ground the home side plays well.
The weather is expected to be poor over the weekend in Adelaide and Lokan says his side must match Sturt with its competitiveness and attack at the contest.
“Sturt are always a competitive team,” he said.
“With Unley Oval being small ground, it's conducive to congested footy.
“We need to win the contested ball around the stoppage and if we can play the game in our front half for longer, we give ourselves the chance to win.”
The first bounce is at 2.10pm at Unley.
