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WHEN Port Adelaide's Paul Stewart chose to play on and have a running shot at goal in the dying seconds of the Power's round-eight clash with North Melbourne, he took a huge risk.
With the side down by four points and less than minute left on the clock, the safe bet would have been to settle, go back and have a set shot at goal.
But coach Matthew Primus had spoken about risk and reward and Stewart's decision reaped rewards.
[ Related: Stewart the poster boy ]
The goal sealed an incredible come-from-behind win for the Power with teammate Justin Westhoff hailing it a significant moment in their season.
"Matty [Primus], in that game [against North], in the last quarter there he just really told us to take the chance and I think we've taken a lot from that," Westhoff said.
"Risk and reward is a pretty big thing Matty's been pushing and I think we take a lot of risks, but not stupid risks.
"Guys have taken a lot of confidence out of that and people have really come into form."
However Westhoff described taking risks as a "double-edged sword", admitting they had probably gone too far on occasions this season.
"It's probably cost us at times when we've been too risky and [the opposition] have got a run on and that's probably cost us a few games," he said.
"With taking those risks our skills let us down a lot as well, so we've cleaned that up a bit and that's seemed to have really helped us in the last month."
The Power have won three games in a row, the most recent a 54-point demolition of early premiership favourites Carlton.
But, ahead of his 100th game, 25-year-old Westhoff said this week's opposition Hawthorn was a flag fancy and to make it four wins on the trot would be a massive challenge.
The task could become harder for the Power if key forward Jay Schulz fails to recover after bruising his ribs against the Blues.
[ Related: Schulz cleared of damage ]
Port looks a far greater side when the straight-kicking full-forward is playing, but Westhoff said he could pick up the slack.
"If Schulz doesn't play this week that obviously leaves a pretty big hole in the forward line, but we've got a lot of guys who can step up," he said.
"[Schulz is] a real target for us in the forward line.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of that if Schulz doesn't play … I think I can do it, for sure, for the team."
Westhoff said it would be a "privilege" to reach his 100-game milestone, but said he had work to do over his next 100 games to change the views of those who have long criticised his laconic nature.
"Not everyone knows how hard guys work around the club and internally, so going on that I've got a pretty big point to prove over the next few years or so," he said.
"I'll take that as a challenge … and hopefully my next 100 or so games is a lot better."
Harry Thring covers Port Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
The goal sealed an incredible come-from-behind win for the Power with teammate Justin Westhoff hailing it a significant moment in their season.
"Matty [Primus], in that game [against North], in the last quarter there he just really told us to take the chance and I think we've taken a lot from that," Westhoff said.
"Risk and reward is a pretty big thing Matty's been pushing and I think we take a lot of risks, but not stupid risks.
"Guys have taken a lot of confidence out of that and people have really come into form."
However Westhoff described taking risks as a "double-edged sword", admitting they had probably gone too far on occasions this season.
"It's probably cost us at times when we've been too risky and [the opposition] have got a run on and that's probably cost us a few games," he said.
"With taking those risks our skills let us down a lot as well, so we've cleaned that up a bit and that's seemed to have really helped us in the last month."
The Power have won three games in a row, the most recent a 54-point demolition of early premiership favourites Carlton.
But, ahead of his 100th game, 25-year-old Westhoff said this week's opposition Hawthorn was a flag fancy and to make it four wins on the trot would be a massive challenge.
The task could become harder for the Power if key forward Jay Schulz fails to recover after bruising his ribs against the Blues.
[ Related: Schulz cleared of damage ]
Port looks a far greater side when the straight-kicking full-forward is playing, but Westhoff said he could pick up the slack.
"If Schulz doesn't play this week that obviously leaves a pretty big hole in the forward line, but we've got a lot of guys who can step up," he said.
"[Schulz is] a real target for us in the forward line.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of that if Schulz doesn't play … I think I can do it, for sure, for the team."
Westhoff said it would be a "privilege" to reach his 100-game milestone, but said he had work to do over his next 100 games to change the views of those who have long criticised his laconic nature.
"Not everyone knows how hard guys work around the club and internally, so going on that I've got a pretty big point to prove over the next few years or so," he said.
"I'll take that as a challenge … and hopefully my next 100 or so games is a lot better."
Harry Thring covers Port Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
