HERE'S what we learned from Thursday's nail-biter against Collingwood.
1. Port is learning to "tough it out"
Port played some really tough wet weather footy on Thursday night [pic: AFL Photos]
"Terrific"
Phil Walsh would have said something like that after Thursday night's win, because the Power got the job done by grinding out a win against one of the AFL's better sides. After weeks of non-performance, Port went some of the way to arresting its form slide with a gutsy show in the rain.
As Ken Hinkley said after the game, sometimes a footy team needs to hang tough. The Power has done that twice this year against the Pies and Hawthorn, and certainly is the better for that experience.
REPORT: Port gets the job done
TALKING POINTS: Power v Pies
2. A fired-up Westy is a firing Westy…
Westhoff has been playing well after the mid-year bye [pic: AFL Photos]
Westy was aggressive last night, he was switched-on from the first bounce and certainly has a claim for man of the match. He was thrown around the ground again, and rarely made a blue. His contested mark and willingness to impact at contests would have the crowd hungry for more. He might've had a headache after the game, but he certainly gave the Pies plenty.
It was vintage Westhoff.
PLAYER VIEW: Ryder, Westhoff, Hombsch
PTV: Adams knees Westhoff in the face
3. Pressure absorption wins games
Angus Monfries kicked a goal to end a Collingwood purple patch. [pic: AFL Photos]
Gee, Collingwood looked tough to beat in the second quarter. Four straight goals and a slow, sluggish, uninspiring period from the Power had the Pies looking the goods to take over.
They nosed in front - briefly - and threatened to score a fifth in-a-row. Some hard running from Gus Monfries broke that scorefest though, and it prompted a really solid team effort for the final stages of the second quarter. That helped the Power lead at half time and launch itself for another big effort after the break.
PTV: Final two minutes v the Pies
PTV: Hinkley post-game
4. Selection vindication? Not quite, but...
Jake Neade came into the side and pushed hard to be retained against Adelaide with some hard, tough work on Thursday night. [pic: AFL Photos]
There was a level of vitriol from the faithful unprecedented on social media this year - unhappy with the four unforced changes made at selection for Round 15. The incoming players held up well, particularly Neade and Clurey. They weren't superstars, but they got involved and help get the job done.
So does that vindicate Hinkley's decision at the selection table?
Not necessarily, but it does show there are spots up for grabs in this team, and players who make the most of their opportunity will give themselves a chance to stay in. There's probably half a dozen players whose SANFL form is good enough to claim an AFL spot right now, and pressure for positions is what keeps an AFL team playing well.
PRE-GAME: Omissions have things to work on
FAN SAY: Who's the fairest?
