PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Jason Cripps has challenged his players to replicate the outstanding effort displayed in last week’s Showdown against Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
The Power completely outplayed Adelaide last week and Cripps said it remained a mystery as to why the group was able to lift to knock off its cross-town rivals, but has struggled to close out other games this season.
“We thought the intensity and the effort the players brought last week was outstanding, probably 10 out of 10, and we’re expecting the players to be able to bring that level of effort and intensity every week,” he said.
“It’s interesting to talk about the Showdown build up and the effort and intensity last week. You ask why can’t the players bring that this week? Why do players find extra for a Showdown?
“I find that interesting and they should be able to, you’d think, deliver the same level of intensity and effort every week regardless of whether it’s a Showdown, or if it’s the best team or the worst team.
“The reality is it’s a difficult thing for players to do, but the best players and the most consistent players deliver that intensity and effort every week, and that’s what we’re working on.”
Cripps identified a depleted Fremantle midfield as Port Adelaide’s greatest advantage. Ruckmen Dean Brogan and Fabian Deluca will have their hands full with man mountain Aaron Sandilands, but Cripps was confident Port Adelaide could shark its fair share of taps.
“Obviously, with Des Headland out, Paul Hasleby out, Matthew Carr has retired and Peter Bell has retired; Fremantle has probably been left a little bit short in the midfield and we certainly think we can get an advantage there,” Cripps said.
“Aaron Sandilands, obviously, dominates the hit-outs, but we’ve always done pretty well even though he does dominate around the stoppages.”
Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich was fantastic for his team last week with 28 possessions and five goals and Cripps said the Power had several contingency plans for the South Australian native, including impressive youngster Alipate Carlile.
“We spoke about Bobby [Carlile] getting a look at Pavlich at some stage and it just depends where Pav plays,” he said.
“His role has probably changed a little bit over the past few weeks. He’s probably been playing a little bit more in the centre square and then going forward.
"Certainly Bobby Carlile won’t go into the centre square with him, so we’ll have a plan in place for when he’s in the midfield and when he’s playing deep, up forward.
“Bobby has played on, arguably, the best forwards every week and he’s an interesting character. He just goes about his business, he’s pretty quiet and he’s very focused and determined.
"He actually thrives on playing on those better players and we certainly think he’s going to be an important part of building our next premiership team.”
