PORT ADELAIDE needs to find more consistent avenues to goal after two low scoring weeks, according to Power assistant coach Nathan Bassett.
The Power was held to just 58 points by Greater Western Sydney after managing just 50 last week against Fremantle.
Despite losing the contested ball 160-129 and clearances 52-30, the Power actually managed more inside
“We were certainly well beaten around the stoppage and our other main issue was our forward entry,” Bassett identified during a press conference on Monday.
“There was certainly some improvement in the way we played the
“We need to find more consistent avenues to goal. Our scoring’s been down this year and we want to keep playing the best footy we can.”
Bassett was questioned about the Power’s delivery into its forward line.
The defensive coach said players missing targets inside 50 was an issue that goes beyond Alberton.
“I think it’s plaguing the competition a little bit but certainly scoring 58 points and the method we scored them isn’t what we’re looking for,” he said.
“We brought personnel in to try and fix that but clearly it’s more than
“The way the forwards work together, the connection between the forwards and the rest of the team, that’s something we need to grow because it’s hard to win scoring 58 points this week, 50 last week, it’s not quite enough.”
“I think we could have made more out of the opportunities we had on the weekend but we also gave up too big a start and didn’t defend as well as we should have.
“I think I could count nine times on the weekend that we had a shot on goal and didn’t even register a score.
“It’s frustrating for players, it’s frustrating for coaches, frustrating for people watching – we want to see some goals so hopefully this week we’ll get some.”
Bassett was full of praise for debutant Jarrod Lienert who impressed with his poise and long-kicking out of defence.
The 23-year-old rookie had 20 disposals at 90% efficiency to go with five marks, five inside
“I thought he gave what I expected,” Bassett said.
“He’s been a really good learner in our footy club so far. He uses the footy really well and he’s a smart young man so he did well.”
Bassett said his side would continue to assess its ruck options in the absence of injured All-Australian Paddy Ryder.
On Sunday Dixon, Justin Westhoff, Dougal Howard, Ollie Wines and Brad Ebert each spent time in the ruck.
“Our rucks at SANFL level are improving to a place where we could potentially pick them this week, whether it be one of the guys who played Saturday or Dougal Howard moving from defence into the ruck,” Bassett said.
“I think the improvement in the SANFL ruckmen’s form has been better, it’s probably not where we’d like it but the cost is probably greater at the moment from moving a forward into the ruck.
“We’ve got Frampton and Ladhams and both had one of their better games for the year on the weekend.”
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