AN excited Garry Hocking joked he might sleep at Adelaide Oval in the lead-up to Sunday's first semi final in preparation for Port Adelaide's knockout clash with Central District, saying the disappointment of last weekend's loss will drive the Magpies.
Lamenting Port's poor performance in its five-goal loss to West Adelaide last Sunday, Hocking said his side needs to bring its best defensive game.
“We’re all disappointed," Hocking told SANFL Radio.
"The club’s disappointed, the playing group … we hope to atone for it on the weekend.
“You could sense it post-match that perhaps they had missed an opportunity to progress.”
“We still had an opportunity [to kick ahead] in the second quarter, we just didn’t get what we wanted in regards to getting the ball through to score.
“We had five shots on goal to their 17 after half time, so we weren’t at our best defensively.”
Hocking emphasised Port Adelaide's team defence will be crucial when the Magpies take on the Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, saying a ruthless attack on Central's strong forward line is non-negotiable.
“Centrals move the ball pretty quickly off the half back and through the midfield and they’ve got dangerous forwards,” Hocking said.
“We’ve just got to be really ruthless in defence.”
It's about the basics
The Magpies have a 2-0 record against Central this year, with a Round 9 nail-biter and a heavily contested outing in wet conditions in Round 16.
Despite their good record against the Bulldogs, Hocking also indicated the Magpies have narrowed their focus onto some basic principles of football.
“Hopefully we can play a tougher brand of footy and do it for four quarters, because that’s what we will need against the Centrals,” Hocking said.
Young midfielder Ben Sawford has avoided serious injury after being poked in the eye during last weekend’s game and will be available to play.
John Butcher, Karl Amon and Anthony Biemans have also been named.
SELECTION: Three changes for semi final
“We’ve got a healthy list, we’ve got some players in form if they need to come in,” Hocking said.
Garry Hocking says hard, tough footy is required against the Bulldogs on Sunday [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
Faithful supporters will help Maggies get the win
With Port Adelaide out of the running for the AFL premiership following last weekend's season-ending minor round game against Fremantle, Hocking has called for the supporters to get behind the club's SANFL flag tilt.
It's Port's strength in numbers that will help them get into the second semi final against the loser of the West-Eagles game.
“We have our work cut out, and we’re really excited about the challenge and we hope all our fans can get out there too, and get behind us,” Hocking said.
“It proved last year that having all our fans out here over the finals series helped us get over the line. We’re hoping and asking all the Maggies fans and Power fans to get out and support us.
“It makes a huge difference when you run out and there’s a great crowd out there behind you, but again, they can only do so much.
“We’ve gotta play the game the way we need to play, and we’ve gotta be prepared.”
Port Adelaide takes on Central District at the Adelaide Oval at 12.10pm on Sunday.
Tickets are available at the gate, Essential Power, Adelaide Oval stadium members and children under 6 are admitted free
