PORT ADELAIDE midfield coach Jarrad Schofield has been handed some new toys to play with in 2020 and is excited to showcase them to the club’s supporters.
Midway through 2019, the Power called on Dan Houston to run through the middle of the ground, with the classy 22-year-old flourishing in his new role with immediate success.
Several new faces are set to be tested in the engine room in 2020 and Schofield is happy with the balance the new dynamic gives his group heading into the season.
“We’ve got a really good balance,” Schofield told reporters at a press conference at Alberton Oval on Monday afternoon.
“Last year, towards the end of the year, we started to become heavily reliant on Travis (Boak).
“His body was battered and bruised by the end, having such a big year.”
In particular Schofield was excited to see Houston get through his first pre-season as a full-time midfielder, while also getting looks at young guns Connor Rozee and Sam Powell-Pepper in new roles for 2020.
“To see guys like Dan Houston go in there this pre-season – Connor Rozee, Pep sharing the load between forward – we’re getting different looks and it’s really adding to our mix and how we want to be dynamic around the football,” he said.
“For those players in Houston and Rozee, having a greater understanding of what’s required on a consistent basis around the contest, has been the real highlight for those guys and their growth pre-season.
“That’s what I’m excited about moving forward.”
The 2004 AFL premiership star said he has confidence in “10-12 players” to be capable of running through the Power’s midfield during the season.
Meanwhile, he said debating where they can best deploy Rozee’s burgeoning talents is a problem Port Adelaide’s coaches are looking forward to.
“It will be game-to-game situational, if we feel we need one thing or another from Connor,” he said.
“He’s kicking bags of goals up front, I think it’s going to be hard for me to pull him away from (forwards coach) Nathan Bassett.
“We’ve just got to make sure we’re consistent with our messaging and the time that they spend – whether it be midfield or forward.
“We’ve got a lot of players that can go through there, which is very exciting.”
There has been no doubt over the Power’s ability to win the ball on the inside in recent seasons, but the Subiaco premiership mentor has no doubts over his players’ ability to cover the ground as well.
“I can reel them off. Guys on the outside – Amon, Duursma, you got Houston, Rozee, Pep – we’ve got a lot of powerful runners in there,” he said.
“Yes, leg speed is one part of it, but it’s also reaction speed and you don’t always have to be the quickest to get to the next contest.
“If the balance is right and we’re all playing our role and they understand what their role is, I think we can be an effective midfield.”
The 45-year-old is also excited by several of the club’s prospects further up the ground, with draftee Dylan Williams’ impressing in front of goals during the pre-season.
“It was exciting for Dylan (performing in the club’s under 23 trial game). He’s got some tricks up his sleeve that for sure.
“He’s had a bit of an interrupted last year – so getting his body right, getting his fitness right is the key for him – but we know he’s got AFL traits for sure and we saw that on the weekend.
The Power head to Whyalla for the club’s annual community camp on Thursday before clashing with the Bulldogs in the final round of the Marsh Community Series on Saturday afternoon.
