PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Travis Boak said the performance against North Melbourne “hurt a lot” but the group is focussed on responding strongly against Fremantle.
The Power could have all but secured a finals berth with a win over the Kangaroos but instead suffered a disappointing 86-point loss.
Boak said it was difficult to understand how his side could put in a performance like that against the Roos, knowing how much was on the line, and he feels the same frustration as the members and fans.
“It’s a tough one to explain,” Boak said at a press conference at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday morning.
“It was disappointing. It hurts, and we are hurting just as much as they are, there’s no doubt about that.
“We prepared as best we could. We did everything we could during the week. We knew it was an important game, and to turn up like that was so disappointing.
“The only thing we can do now is go out there this Sunday and put in a better performance.”
The 31-year-old expects there will be some changes at the selection table this week, especially with the club’s SANFL side performing well.
The Magpies are second on the SANFL table after another strong win in trying conditions against Sturt on Sunday afternoon at Unley.
“You definitely have to look at some changes,” Boak said.
“It was a really poor performance as a collective. I think we will make a few changes on that performance.
“On top of that, the SANFL form has been outstanding. There are some guys in some really good nick.
“When you’ve got that, you’ve got to bring in guys who are in good form.”
The former skipper is still buoyed by the Power’s season, and believes the group at Alberton has made impressive strides this year.
“We still have a lot of belief in what we are doing,” Boak said.
“I think we’ve made some big strides this year. We will go out there on the weekend knowing that what we are doing, and what we’ve been able to progress this year with is still pretty special.
“We go out there to play for each other, for our footy club and for our jumper. Sometimes the results aren’t what we want.
“This weekend, we will do as best we can for each other and our footy club.”
The Power host the Dockers at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon in Round 23.
