A SUPER SATURDAY of football for Port Adelaide will see the ball bounced almost simultaneously at Etihad Stadium and Prospect Oval, as both the Power and Magpies look to claim important wins this weekend.
While the Power is playing to keep its finals hopes alive, the Magpies can solidify its position on the SANFL ladder in a ‘catch-up’ game against North Adelaide in Prospect.
But the crucial thing for both Port Adelaide’s sides is the need for its players to perform consistently over two hours of football.
It’s been the dark shadow of a disappointing 2015 campaign that both its sides have been unable to perform with the consistency that led it to an AFL Preliminary Final and an SANFL Grand Final last year.
Port captain Travis Boak says that while his club has made important steps over the last month, consistency of intensity and execution is something that has lacked at both AFL and SANFL level.
But with players performing well in the SANFL and maintaining that form when rewarded with a promotion to the Power, the competition for spots might finally be back.
“It’s a lot better when we’ve got pressure for spots, and we’ve probably not had that this year, both sides have been inconsistent,” Boak told portadelaidefc.com.au earlier this week.
“If we can bring intensity at both levels we can really put pressure on for spots.”
Defeating St Kilda by 63 points and keeping them below a score of 50 is something Boak points to as a positive.
He also says the playing group has been working towards mentally and physically tough football for a month.
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“For anyone coming into the side, all we need is for them to play a role.
“It was put on everyone that we need to be more tough and physical, and bring intensity, and [the St Kilda game] was more towards the four-quarter consistent effort we’re looking for and we’ve certainly taken some steps forward since the Essendon game.
“There’s been some intent over the last few weeks, but there’s still certain things we need to work on.”
Port Adelaide plays the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The loss of Ollie Wines – best for the Power against the Dogs in Round 10 – hurts Port, but clearly Port is confident it can cover his loss with the players it has in the side already, with small defender Jarman Impey the only inclusion for the travelling side.
Meanwhile Angus Monfries, Nathan Krakouer and Kane Mitchell will all return to the field this weekend to push their claims for an AFL call-up when the Magpies play North at 2:10pm.
It will be former Sturt player Monfries’ first game for Port Adelaide in its SANFL jumper.
