PORT ADELAIDE is disappointed with Saturday night’s loss to Geelong but has taken a lot out of the game and the side remains positive about its run in to the finals, according to assistant coach Chad Cornes.
The forwards mentor spoke with the media on Monday addressing the mood since the 12-point defeat and how the forward line stood up in the absence of key options Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson.
Both big men could return to face Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
Cornes also spoke fondly of the performance of young ruck Dante Visentini against the Cats and the challenge the side will face against the Giants this week.
Chad Cornes on the mood at Alberton following the weekend’s loss:
“You never want to lose but if you’re going to lose, I think the way the boys played we saw some really positive signs. Considering what happened during the day, what happened last week, we played the right way. Things we focussed on last week that were missing against the Crows we saw return on Saturday night.
“It was really disappointing to lose but it was one of those games you can take a lot out of. The boys are still really positive. There was a great feel Saturday before the game, which was a really good sign considering what had gone on earlier that day and the boys were pretty shattered about the loss.
“There was some excitement from guys that came in, guys who hadn’t played in a while who were desperate for an opportunity and we saw some of those guys perform really well. Guys playing in different positions, guys getting shuffled pre-game and in-game and they adapted really well to different roles so it was a really good learning experience for a lot of players.”
Chad Cornes on whether the club had contacted the AFL about any of the umpiring decisions in the Geelong game:
“I know Ken (Hinkley) spoke to (umpires boss) Dan Richardson just to get some clarity on some of the aerial contests, and I think that vision came through just before I came up here so we’ll have a look at that and see what we can take out of it.”
Chad Cornes on Todd Marshall’s game and his decision to pass off potential set shot opportunities:
“Todd, as most of the boys are at the moment, has been battling some little niggling injuries which isn’t preventing him from playing. He is a beautiful set shot but anything past 45 or 50 metres, he’s just got to push through a little pain barrier he has at the moment. I thought he was almost back to his best contest-wise. He took six marks inside 50 and ten marks total so he his some really good form again but he’s just battling through this injury which is affecting his long set shots for goal.”
Chad Cornes on how the forward line stood up without Dixon and Finlayson:
“It was a different look for us only having the two talls. Ollie (Lord) competed well and Todd, we spoke about.
Having Willie (Rioli) on the last line was a little bit of a different look for us. The way he presented early he looked really dangerous and caused some headaches, and then Pep (Sam Powell-Pepper), Jed (McEntee) and Frankie (Evans) all played a really good role as well. I thought all in all, the boys played their roles, played the right way but unfortunately, we didn’t get the win.”
Chad Cornes on Dante Visentini’s performance in the ruck:
“I thought he was great on the weekend. He’s a guy the boys love playing with. He’s tough, he follows up, he hunts. He had a really hard fall just in front of the coaches box and you could tell it would have really hurt but he got straight back up and was straight back into it so he showed really good signs on what he’ll be capable in the future and also the rest of this year.”
Chad Cornes on coming up against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday:
“They’re in really good form. They defend really well. We obviously know (Giants assistant coach) Brett Montgomery really well and he’s in charge of their team defence and backline and they defend in really impressive fashion. They’ve got some real weapons up forward and in the midfield as well, so it’ll be a good test and a game we just have to win.”
