PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Michael Voss says recruit Trent McKenzie has been brought into the side not just for his super boot but for his ability to play a tough defensive role.
McKenzie came to Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent from the Gold Coast in the off-season after 106 games with the Suns.
The 26-year-old will make his Power debut on Sunday afternoon against Essendon at Etihad Stadium after displaying outstanding form for the Magpies in the opening two rounds of the SANFL.
“We think he’s been playing really tough and that’s what we want to play like,” said Voss at the airport as Port Adelaide departed Adelaide for Melbourne.
“He’s been really strong in the contest and his ball use has been really sound, but we just want him to come in and get his job done for us, play tough for us and really be part of that back six.”
McKenzie has been a leader in a relatively young and inexperienced Magpies defence and has averaged nearly 25 possessions and six rebound 50s per game off the half bank flank.
Voss said he expected that rebound to be valuable on the fast deck at Etihad.
“I think what doesn’t really get talked about is his attack on the ball, and that’s probably one thing coming to Port Adelaide was just how strong he is over the ball and he holds his line over the ball and he knows how to win those one-on-one contests.
“We know the other part of his game, he’s got a beautiful kick on him and he can break defensive lines and when you’re playing at a venue like Etihad Stadium, being able to get over defensive lines is a good weapon to have.”
McKenzie will be the fifth of Port Adelaide’s off-season pick-ups to make his club debut in the opening four rounds, and Voss said there were realistic expectations about allowing them to settle into a role in the team.
“When they come in they don’t have to do more than they’re capable of," he said.
“It’s good that we’ve got a bunch of players that are in form at the same time so it enables them not to have to pick the team up but just become part of the team and get their job done.”
Voss said the Power players remembered the disappointing 70-point loss to the Bombers at the same venue last season, and he expected a similar challenge from an Essendon team which plays well there and will be looking to atone for a poor last-up showing against the Western Bulldogs.
“We come into the game expecting that we’ll see a response from Essendon and the challenge for us is despite that, how do we get our game going and what do we expect from ourselves?
“And there will no doubt be moments where we will have to defend really well against their speed, but also when we get the ball back what sort of composure do we have going back the other way to maximise our opportunities?”
The Round 4 clash against the Bombers at Etihad Stadium starts at 1.10 (EST) tomorrow afternoon.
More on portadelaidefc.com.au...
