PORT Adelaide midfielder Aaron Young said it was all but impossible to take any personal joy from his own four-goal effort because of the beating the Power took from the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Young was a late call-up for the Power after Hamish Hartlett’s withdrawal with a hamstring strain.
The 23-year-old had 21 disposals and produced an impressive four-goal cameo after halftime. Along with Robbie Gray (37 disposals) he was one of Port’s few contributors as Adelaide kicked out to a 60 point lead 12 minutes into the second term.
“It’s always nice to kick a few goals, but with a team result from that it doesn’t count for too much,’’ Young said.
“Each line didn’t gel together too well today.
“Obviously everyone was trying their hardest, but sometimes you’ve just got to bind together as a group really strongly and work your way back into the game, instead of trying to do it as individuals.”
Young said Port’s defensive effort as a whole team was not up to its standards and said it wasn’t able to apply enough pressure to the Crows.
“We let them kick bursts of goals, which is really disappointing.
“For them to kick (more than) 140 points when we pride ourselves on defence, is unacceptable.
“There were a few stages where we strung a couple of goals together, but we just couldn’t keep the effort up.”
Young has managed 43 games in his six seasons at Alberton and has never been able to lock down a regular spot.
He said it was a major goal this year and hoped Saturday was the start of a strong personal season.
“It was unlucky for Hamish who hurt himself,’’ Young said.
“As a personal goal I’d like to establish myself in the team and today was a good step towards that.”
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