DESPITE big deficits in the inside-50 count (again) Port Adelaide has gone 3-2 after five rounds with an important win over the Crows. Here's what we learned...
1. Every Portress needs a barricade...
Bobby Carlile, Ken Hinkley, Robbie Gray and Matt Broadbent have all acknowledge the Power needs to turn opposition inside-50s around. [Pic: AFL Media]
Port Adelaide's defence is holding up. In the face of another lopsided inside-50 count (this time the Crows nearly doubled Port's entries), the Power's backs have again shown they can withstand offensive waves. Coupled with support from the Power's midfield in defensive 50, Port's backline has again failed to wilt under opposition pressure. That's good, and as Matt Broadbent says, it helps develop the Power's last vestige of resistance.
But can it hold up long-term if that I50 count stays in severe deficit? Odds aren't good...
Carlile: Inside-50s will drown us
Evolving defence seeks to improve
2. Sometimes you just need to break the back...
Breaking the Crows' attacking waves with consecutive goals really helped the Power on Sunday. [Pic: AFL Media]
After failing to score goals in final quarters against Hawthorn and Sydney, Port Adelaide put in a consistent performance on the scoreboard and converted in every term. Arguably, the Power's six goals in 30 minutes of football - punctuated only by two Crow behinds - set the game up. Of course, the Power lost the third term by four points, but by regularly kicking consecutive goals it was able to break Adelaide's momentum and kick ahead.
3. Big forward line a big plus...
Paddy Ryder kicked two crucial goals in the second quarter. [Pic: AFL Media]
The Power's tall forward line has really risen in the last handful of weeks. 10 goals between Schulz, Westhoff and Ryder played a big part in delivering the Showdown trophy back to Alberton, and when the big trio is on song, the added few from the Power's smaller forwards and mids are simply icing on the cake. The Ryder-Schulz-Westhoff combo also kicked nine against the Hawks - so getting them on the end of a few in big games really helps the Power to seal lock away the premiership points.
4. Pride stats...
Robbie Gray flew the midfield flag with 20 contested possessions and 11 clearances. [Pic: AFL Media]
Wins at stoppages and contests are things Port Adelaide prides itself on, so to lose them is something that will sting across the entire playing group. Big clearance wins at critical times really helped the Crows increase the heat on Port after quarter time - it should come as little surprise the number of times Adelaide was able to go inside 50 by the end of the night - but fortunately the Power was able to rebound and retain possession.
Still, it's something to work on.
