ONE of Australian sport’s biggest rivalries is set to play out again this Saturday when Port Adelaide takes on Adelaide in Showdown 53.
Port Adelaide will harness its heritage by donning the famous Prison Bar guernsey, with the side hoping to bounce back after a heavy loss to Collingwood in Round 2.
Power captain Tom Jonas spoke to media on Monday about the Showdown rivalry, the privilege attached to the Prison Bars, and his side’s defeat over the weekend.
Jonas on the Showdown rivalry
“It's a lot of fun, it's one of the best rivalries in Australian sport. I think the passion and the division it creates, it brings out the best in the state. Whether there's some fire or not going into it, you never really know until you’re in the moment, but I'm sure it won’t disappoint. It’s always a great fixture and we love playing them and I can’t wait to one day sit on the hill and watch a few as well.
“Early in the season, there's still so much to play out so it's about getting four points for your team as much as anything. Crows are obviously looking to get their first win on the board and we're looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance on the weekend and get above the ledger.”
Jonas on wearing the Prison Bars
“It's a privilege to be able to wear the Prison Bars. It represents 150 years of history and achievement and we wouldn’t be in the place we are today without those who wore that guernsey - the administrators, the players, the supporters, so we'll wear it proudly, and do it proud.”
Jonas on the loss to Collingwood
“I think we probably got a lesson from a high-quality team in contested footy and ball movement. You've got to give a lot of credit to them at the same time, we’re still learning in that space and we've proven we haven't bene able to be consistent there. Showdown's always a great opportunity to bounce back and play that contested style.
“When you break contested footy down it's a lot of different things. Free kicks against are an issue – that's intent and technique, contested marks – we got challenged with some tall people and didn’t get the job done. We usually back ourselves to do that and that falls on my half of the ground a little bit. Then the shape, it’s the inside but also the outside of the contest and getting that balance right and that’s something that Collingwood have done well for 18 months now.”
Jonas on the Daicos brothers
“They're certainly a couple of serious footballers and we couldn’t quite execute (slowing them down). I don’t think (tagging Nick) was the wrong person or the wrong plan, but as a group we failed to support Lachie (Jones) with that. If a team gets a run on, that momentum, and you’re unable to halt it, someone’s going to be getting the ball. Evidence would suggest (Nick’s) a high-quality player and not easy to stop but (labelling him) untaggable is a bit of a stretch.”
Jonas on Jason Horne-Francis being booed at the MCG
“It was a bit of a strange one. I mean, he’s a very strong character and he feels really well supported by the club, his teammates and family so he’s fine with it, but obviously we’re not really sure what to put it down to. It's just a kid coming back to his hometown. He feels more comfortable and he's played some good footy already this year. Footy supporters will be footy supporters and whether we condone it or not, people will make up their own mind.”
Jonas on Ryan Burton’s possible two-match ban (answered before ban was accepted)
“I’ve seen the clip, I think Ryan was trying to play the (right) way. He was trying to play strong, aggressive football. That's in the hands of the lawyers (now), they’re looking through the grading and they’ll make a decision (as to whether or not we will appeal). I’ve been through the process myself and you’re better off leaving it to the professionals.
“It's really important that we do protect the head – concussion’s obviously a serious issue in society, in all sport. But we need to get the right balance…Ryan’s shown that he can be a really consistent performer for us. He had a really solid year last year but at the same time we've got some depth down back and we feel like we can cover him if he does miss a couple of weeks.”
