Fast forward 12 months to Etihad Stadium and again in Round 1 we had a similar matchup – this time against a Carlton side which, like us, made the semi finals in 2013.
Both teams wanted to start well, and although we finished with the best start possible – coming away with a 33-point victory – it was the way we started that leaves us with a bit of work to do.
Our first quarter mindset again allowed our opposition to get the jump on us. Full credit to Carlton though, as they battled hard early and beat us to the to the contest and dominated the key stats – +17 in contested possessions, +5 in clearances and +6 for inside 50s.
The momentum of the game changed in the second half with our boys coming back strongly. Ken challenged our leaders to stand up and set the tone after half time and Hamish Hartlett, Brad Ebert and Travis Boak all seemed to have more impact around the ball at stoppages, with big Matty Lobbe giving our mids first use, while Tom Jonas and Jackson Trengove commanded the troops down back (conceding 4.7 from 22 entries after half time).
What was really important for us was the composure Justin Westhoff and Robbie Gray were able to have forward of the ball. They were electric and their work to swing the momentum back our way helped us to wrestle a 14-point lead early with the opening goals after half time.
Westhoff is a pivotal player in all parts of the ground. His ability to go behind the ball as spare forces opposition coaches to decide whether to man him up with a defensive forward is something that is highly valued by Ken and our supporters.
The Hoff finished with 20 disposals, 8 marks, 4 contested, and 5 goals and again proved a hard match up for the Carlton defenders and forwards!
After an imposing performance last week against St Kilda, Ollie Wines again dominated stoppages. But his ability to win stoppages was due to reasons other than his bull-like efforts during the NAB Challenge.
The team focus of Boak and Ebert (getting plenty of attention from the Carlton midfield) allowed Wines to gain possession and then release into space.
Of Wines’s 28 disposals for the game, 19 were contested. He has worked hard on his game during the off-season and will continue to improve throughout the year, but the great thing about a quality, balanced midfield is that any player can stand up. This week it was Wines, next week it could be Boak, Gray, Ebert, Wingard, Cassisi, White or many others besides.
Another shining light over the past month has been Jared Polec. His polish with the football and his ability to read the game is proving a great for the balance of the team.
After the game Ken spoke of his work rate and his attitude to buy in to the Port Adelaide way on and off the field. If you want to play consistent football at Port Adelaide then the ability to win contested possessions and be flexible will be demanded of you.
Polec has added this to his game, showing he can smash into the contest and win his own ball (50% of his 24 disposals were contested), and also go inside or outside the contest depending on the requirements of the team (he had a team-high 453 metres gained).
Polec has shown early that once you commit to this group and its expectations, you will reap the benefits on and off the field.
With a split Round 1, the boys will get some well needed rest after the hit out on Sunday night at Etihad.
Trengove and Schulz (who missed some pre-season game time leading up to Round 1) will be better for the run and will hopefully be better again come Round 2.
Adelaide face one of the hardest trips in football this Thursday night- Geelong in Geelong - and will be hoping for a strong showing to prepare for the Showdown XXXVI in Round 2.
The return of football to Adelaide Oval is an exciting time for the club and the state. With a great result in the opening round now behind us, we will need a four-quarter effort against our crosstown rivals – we need to turn up, and never, ever give up.
