PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Brett Montgomery says the playing group has full belief in the system put in place by the coaches.
The Power has been inconsistent throughout the season - highlighted by a victory over ladder-leaders Geelong followed by a disappointing loss to the Western Bulldogs - but Montgomery says the belief is still strong.
“I think they believe in the team that we want to be. I think they believe in their form. They certainly don’t look at the West Coast game, the Melbourne game or the Geelong game as an aberration,” he said during a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“They believe in what we are doing, and they just need to go back to work.”
The 46-year-old – who played 126 games for Port Adelaide including 10 Showdowns - knows exactly how important this weekend’s meeting with Adelaide is, not only to the players, but the whole Port Adelaide community.
“It’s a game that means an incredible amount to our players. To our club. To our people,” he said.
“Not that it’s in the front of their mind every contest they go to, but they know how important it is.”
The defensive coach expects co-captain Ollie Wines to be a strong leader in the midfield in Showdown XLVII, and believes the reaction to his quiet game against the Western Bulldogs was over the top.
“He is a hugely respected figure here,” Montgomery said.
“As for his form, personally I think (questions about him being dropped) were an overreaction. They were horrendous conditions. It was his (second game) back.
“He’s had an incredibly interrupted pre-season and in-season, so from our point of view it is in our best interest to get him firing.
“We need him playing well.”
Montgomery admitted he wanted a lift from the entire Power midfield, claiming they are the measure of whether the side is performing well or not.
“We need our midfield at the top of their game. For us to be a good team, we need a stronger midfield,” he said.
“We need a more consistent, stronger every time midfield, and (Wines) is part of that.”
Port faces the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon in Showdown XLVII, with the first bounce at 4.05pm.
