PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley has praised his side’s defensive effort in Friday night’s win over Essendon.
The Power conceded just 21 points after quarter time and went on to record its biggest win of the season – 17.9 (111) to 6.6 (42) in front of a Gather Round crowd of more than 47,000 at Adelaide Oval.
The win saw the Power move to 3-1, with its only defeat so far this season coming against an in-form Melbourne last week.
Port took control in the centre during the second quarter and a run of seven straight goals that stretched into the third quarter put Hinkley’s side in command.
“I thought it was good, a really strong performance,” the coach remarked after the game. “I believed last week we played good footy against a really high-quality team (but it’s a) small margins game up.
“But tonight was really pleasing defensively, really sound after quarter time only to give up 21 points to a team that really can attack. So (it was a) strong performance.”
Captain Connor Rozee was outstanding, setting career highs for disposals (36) and contested possessions (16) to go with his three majors and eight score involvements.
He was well supported by young midfielder Jason Horne-Francis in his return following two weeks out with a hamstring injury. Horne-Francis also recorded a career-high for disposals (31) and had ten clearances.
Hinkley lauded his midfield for its commanding showing, saying Rozee's first-half performance – when he had 20 disposals and kicked three goals – was a new level for the two-time All-Australian.
"I've seen him play some pretty good games already but not that good – not in the first half particularly. It was outrageous what he was doing. He's a great young captain," Hinkley said.
"We're really clear that leadership is about performance on gameday and that's something that Connor and Zak (Butters) and the rest of the leadership group – (Willem) Drew, (Dan) Houston, 'Pep' (Sam Powell-Pepper) – have really taken on board.
“That's their critical moment on gameday and they're growing into leadership away from those days."
Along with his young midfielders, the return of 21-year-old forward Mitch Georgiades nearly a year after suffering an ACL rupture pleased Hinkley.
The Port Adelaide coach said the club had to be patient with the high-flying West Australian, and he was confident Georgiades could bring a different element to the attack.
“He's been training for quite a while now and you know, we've been patient with him before we did bring him in, but we hope he continues to build from there,” Hinkley said.
"He's got great running power and top-end speed. Clearly, he can mark it and finish so if he can play a high forward role for us a little bit more, we've got great flexibility then and we'll have a little bit of a challenge next week when we've got to bring 'Pep' back in.”
As well as Sam Powell-Pepper becoming available for selection following the completion of his four-game suspension from pre-season, Port Adelaide could also have Ollie Wines available to return after the Brownlow Medallist missed Friday night’s win with a minor hamstring strain.
Veteran Travis Boak left the field before half time after copping a knock to his back and will be assessed as the week progresses.
Port Adelaide hosts Fremantle at Adelaide Oval next Saturday night.
