PORT ADELAIDE SANFL Coach Matthew Lokan has praised the performances of three debutants as well as an AFL veteran following his side’s 95-point thumping of Adelaide in the opening round of the 2018 SANFL season.
The Magpies were never headed in a dominant display with Power rookie Lindsay Thomas showing his experience, bagging six goals in his first game at Alberton since leaving for North Melbourne 12 years ago.
Lokan said it was a classy performance by the 30 year-old but Magpies-contracted debutants Jack Kluske, Levi Proude and Jack Strange were just as important to the result.
“There was a lot of talk over summer about us losing a few of our contracted guys but we had three guys playing their first games for the club and I thought all three were outstanding today and (captain) Steven Summerton did what he does and was brilliant too,” Lokan said.
“Lindsay’s had a fantastic AFL career and I expect him, if he gets his opportunity at AFL level, to perform at AFL level, but the pleasing thing for me was that his contested stuff was great as well and it wasn’t just about him kicking goals.
“It was about him chasing and pressuring and bringing other guys into the game as well.”
Port Adelaide was well served in the midfield by Joe Atley, Will Snelling, Summerton, Proude and Power draftee Jake Patmore, winning the clearances despite having 18 fewer hit-outs.
Lokan said he knew his midfielders had bigger bodies than those of the Crows and used that to his side's advantage.
“It was obviously very pleasing to get some dominance through the middle of the ground and I think our three rucks all played an equal part and shared the work really well,” he said.
The win was sealed with a ten goals to one third quarter, that saw Port Adelaide take a 79-point lead into the final break.
Former Glenelg Coach Lokan is in his first season at the helm at Alberton after a playing career with the Magpies.
He’ll come up against his former side on Friday night when the Magpies meet the Tigers at the Bay.
“It’s exciting, on a personal note, to return to Glenelg, but from a team perspective we need to be able to reproduce that again.
“Friday night is always a good game at the Bay and we’re looking forward to getting down there and hopefully having a win.
“They play Glenelg Oval well, we know that, and we know they’ve recruited well so we need to bring the pressure that we brought today and then we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
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