About 10 of our AFL players were there to provide some experience and support on the field and our group is starting to get pumped for the opportunities we’ll have in the next couple of weeks.
The biggest positive to come from Monday’s game was that our game style and the way we want to play was really evident - the way the players implemented the game plan in the heat of battle was very good.
Join the club as a Magpies home game member or purchase a We Are Port Adelaide upgrade with your Power membership to see the Academy and League teams at Alberton in 2014 at weareportadelaide.com.au or call 1300 GO PAFC (1300 467 232).
Our defensive spread and ability to set up off the ball were also pleasing and, more generally, many of the things that we’ve been working on since November were implemented quite well - it’s proof our training program has been working.
It was my first proper game coaching our Academy boys and it was good to see the team playing through a coach’s eyes.
I took one side while Stuey Cochrane took the other and it was a pretty good experience for everyone involved on the night.
There wasn’t (much) ranting or raving from me as I just wanted to see how the boys would go, but I’ve had a taste of it now and can't wait for proper matches to start.
It’s important to remember that our program works because of the work our players put in, and having quality people like Nathan Karkouer and Marlon Motlop back at the club and training with us has given another little boost to the competitiveness in the group.
‘Krak’ has been over in the West for the last year and wants to give himself another opportunity to try and get back into the AFL system - he feels Port Adelaide is the best place for that to happen.
Marlon is a talented player who’s back from spending some time at Swan Districts and Peel Thunder. Both have outstanding ‘footy IQs’ and it’s been very good to have guys of their experience around the place.
As well as having some of the blokes who didn’t travel to Melbourne this week around lending a hand, we’ve really managed to create a place where these young kids can become better footballers and that can only be good for our club.
One of the pleasing things has been the way our country boys have taken to the program and are really leading the way.
When you think that most of these guys have never experienced a professional pre-season before, it’s been great to see them lead the way on the track for the last three months.
Check out all the info on the Magpies on our SANFL channel.
We’re also starting to work out through the challenging process of deciding who the last four guys to get a contract on the senior list will be.
It will be hard to tell the boys who don’t get a place on the list, but that’s the game we’re in, and it’s the industry we’re trying to prepare our Academy players for.
We have a couple of games coming up for you to support our Academy team and I hope to see many of you cheering our local lads on.
Check out all the info on the Magpies on our SANFL channel.
We’re also starting to work out through the challenging process of deciding who the last four guys to get a contract on the senior list will be.
It will be hard to tell the boys who don’t get a place on the list, but that’s the game we’re in, and it’s the industry we’re trying to prepare our Academy players for.
We have a couple of games coming up for you to support our Academy team and I hope to see many of you cheering our local lads on.
Our first will be the League team trial game against South Adelaide on March 8 - that’s a curtain raiser to the Power v Saints trial game - and then the Academy has one last warmup against Centrals on March 22 at Elizabeth before our first match against the Roosters at Alberton on March 29.
Until next time,
Surj
Until next time,
Surj
