DEFENCE coach Tyson Golsack says it is scary to think about what Esava Ratugolea could be capable of in a reshaped Port Adelaide backline featuring fellow off-season recruit Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
In their first game in their new colours, Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher were part of the Power defence which limited West Coast to 70 points on Sunday.
The duo built into the game, chopping and changing between opponents depending on the game situation and Goldsack said they would continue to grow as they built their understanding with fellow tall Aliir Aliir and their other backline teammates.
Speaking on Tuesday before the team review, Goldsack also discussed some areas for improvement, who might replace the concussed Jed McEntee in the line-up this week, and how highly he rates Travis Boak ahead of the veteran’s 350th AFL game.
Tyson Goldsack on the initial review of Sunday’s Round 1 win over West Coast:
“I think they were able to move the ball in a few patches fairly quickly, which we'd like to try and stop teams from doing to go from one end to the other, it's mainly the long chain. So, they turn the ball over in our front half or front 50 and they move it all the way to their front 50. We'll touch on that in a bit more detail with the players, and then making the most of the opportunities – we were probably not as clean as what we had been, you know, over pre-season just around the contest and in those type of situations.”
Tyson Goldsack on the side’s inaccuracy in front of goal:
“It's really easy to see the scoreline and think that we didn't kick very well. The AFL has an expected score stat they use and we broke even on that which means we kicked goals that maybe we should have kicked, though we certainly missed goals that we should have kicked. But we broke even. We'd like to be in the positive with it but… we've done a lot of work on goalkicking and the processes are in place so we'll trust the process is right and we'll just keep going along the way that we're going and we think we will be okay.”
Tyson Goldsack on how he saw Esava Ratugolea’s first game for the club and what he could be capable of:
“He looked good in the Port jumper I must say! Him, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Ivan Soldo all performed really well and for around one, no doubt they were a bit nervous – new club, first time playing fot them, there’s going to be some nerves there, but I thought they fit into the team really well.
“It can be a bit scary to think (about what Esava Ratugolea can be capable of). We just want to get some consistent footy into him. We want him to feel really comfortable and I think he's getting there. And with more games and playing alongside Aliir and Thatch and Lachie Jones who's been playing a little bit taller as well, once they start to gel and connect on game day, it could be dangerous, but we just have to wait to see. As long as we keep working on the things we can control then we'll be okay.”
Tyson Goldsack on how Jed McEntee is feeling following his concussion against West Coast at the weekend:
“I saw him on the way in and he's is flat obviously he loves to play he's really competitive. He just doesn't shirk a contest, he is a very courageous man. He’ll pick himself up and dust himself off and be ready to go for when he clears the protocols. But we love what Jed brings and it's not just that, it's just everything else that he brings to the club and to the team and it's sad to see him go down and have to miss a game. But we'll get around him and pick him up.”
Tyson Goldsack on whether Mitch Georgiades is in the frame to replace Jed McEntee:
“Oh, he's close. He's in the conversation, which is nice. Considering what he's been through over the last five months - it wasn't just a knee. He's kind of had a few setbacks because of the knee so he played good (in the SANFL trial on Saturday). He looked comfortable, he said he felt comfortable which is the main thing, he's got his confidence back you know, going for aerial balls and moving around the ground. So there's an option, Frankie Evans came on and played pretty well in the small amount of minutes that he had so we've got some options.”
Tyson Goldsack on Travis Boak’s 350-game milestone this week:
“No doubt we'll touch on it and the media will be all over it. And I mean, what an achievement and what a guy. Just the way he goes about his businesses is elite - probably one of the best I've seen.
“(Head of Development) Matt Lobbe kind of leans on Trav a little bit with the first-year players to just touch on his professionalism. And if young players come in and follow his path, then they're going to be in a pretty good spot. Like I said, he's elite, the best in the business. And there's no coincidence why he's made 350 games.
“It's a great milestone for him. I look forward to getting around him.”
Tyson Goldsack on the challenge posed by Richmond on Sunday:
“We haven't gone into huge detail on Richmond yet. We'll review the West Coast game first, and then we'll do Richmond, but they've got some weapons. Their forwards are dangerous, their backs can still take intercept marks and move the ball at pace, and their midfield is strong as well. So we know they've got some serious talent there. If they can put it together like they did against Carlton, then it’ll be a challenging game.”
Tyson Goldsack on Ivan Soldo coming up against his old side:
“I can't imagine he is going to take a backward step, put it that way. He's an aggressive type player at the best of times. I know he’ll want to play well with the starting rock role so we'll just get him through the week and get him set and allow him to go about his business.”
