Port Adelaide’s tall forward Billy Frampton took Saturday’s game against Woodville-West Torrens by the scruff of the neck, and coach Matthew Lokan said it was the type of performance his side had been searching for.
Frampton kicked five goals, took eight marks (five contested), had 10 hitouts and collected 15 disposals around the ground in the Magpies 37-point win over the Eagles.
“We have probably lacked that (tall forward),” Lokan said.
“Frampton was out suspended for two weeks but just to have a big guy in the forward line to at least provide a contest for us was huge, and to his credit he got on the end of a couple as well.”
While Frampton was the standout player on the ground, Lokan said it was his team’s consistency across the board that went a long way towards claiming the two points.
“I thought we were really consistent today, we had good contribution from everyone and we got the result we were after,” he said.
“Our pressure around the contest was first class and we weren’t reliant on those one or two people, we were really consistent across the whole ground.
While the inside 50, disposal and clearance stats were pretty even across the board, Lokan said it was his side’s improved possession – especially by foot – that proved the difference.
“We used the ball better, our ability to score and capitalise on our opportunities was really good – if you use the ball well, you tend to score more goals,” he said.
“We controlled the ball so much better and played the way we wanted to play.
“Our method from the back half was really solid and we were able to implement the plan that we went out to do.
“We have been kicking at 79% which has been an area that we haven’t been great at the last few weeks, so it was great to turn that around and play that consistent game we were after.”
Port have now secured three wins and two losses from its first five games but are yet to string two victories together.
“It is the secret ingredient (consistency),” Lokan said.
“That is what I spoke to the boys about after the game, we don’t want to be one of those sides who has a win, then a couple of losses then another win – that is the challenge for us next week against Centrals to be able to have two wins in a row going into a bye.”