Despite a disappointing start, our boys were able to come back solid and spoil Richo’s return to Alberton with a nine-point win to finish off our pre-season campaign with two wins (the other against Essendon in the NAB Challenge).
Richardson clearly challenged his young team during the week to be more competitive, hit hard, look to win the contested possessions (the favourite marker of game intensity for both him and Ken Hinkley) and quickly stamp their intent on the game.
Stats: Power v Saints
The Saints came out swinging and our boys struggled to close down their ball movement in general play.
By quarter time the Saints had opened up a four-goal lead, but the worrying signs weren't just on the scoreboard with the Saints dominating a range of stats: tackles (+4), contested possessions (+15), disposals (+51 and almost double ours) and most notably clearances (+16).
Success, in particular midfield success, isn't something that just happens. Everyone was disappointed in the result to quarter time, especially our midfielders.
The group was challenged by the coaches and pegged back this deficit in the following three quarters, eventually losing the clearances by five.
Matthew Lobbe and Brent Renouf battled well in the ruck to give our mids first chance at the ball. They won the hit outs with Renouf having a game-high 24 hitouts, with seven to advantage while Lobbe won 20 and hit six to advantage.
The only midfielder to really take advantage of the ruck dominance was Ollie Wines.
For me, Wines was best on the ground.
It's been a big week for the young 'Bull' after he signed a contract extension and on Saturday he showed why he'll be invaluable to Port Adelaide's future.
Wines finished the game with 13 first possessions (seven of those coming from centre bounce), seven clearances and 23 disposals.
The development of the whole midfield group over the off-season with Phil Walsh and Josh Carr at the helm has been enormous, and they will be looking to deliver this week going up against a formidable Carlton midfield.
Again, Jarman Impey and Jared Polec showed why they were brought to Alberton with their silky skills and precise ball movement making it hard for the Saints to defend against.
Polec finished his pre-season with an average of 22 disposals, three inside-50s, seven marks and an amazing efficiency rating of 88%!
At times the two teams seemed to mirror each other with their ball movement; this was no surprise. With Richo at the Saints, he will use Port Adelaide’s 2013 season to inspire his playing group and use his experience to guide the development of their game style.
The Saints switched the ball well from defence especially early, but seemed to lose some drive later in the game as we wrestled back control at stoppages and scored from the Saints' turnovers.
They were very efficient going forward and scored heavily from limited entries, even with their key forward in Riewoldt having a relatively quiet game for his standards (2 goals, 13 disposals).
Tommy Clurey did an amazing job on one of the competition's premier running forwards in only his second season of AFL (and fifth game against an AFL opponent!).
Clurey’s ferocious intent was shown during the second half where he tackled Riewoldt to the ground and held his own as the two continued to wrestle on the deck. The young defender then got to his feet and won a ground ball contest - cracking in and showing that he has the ability to take on the big guns and keep going!
He has advanced in many areas during the last month - which happens when you get live match experience against quality opposition. His efforts will give the coaches confidence that he can make the step up to the big league when selected.
With the likes of Schulz, Trengove, Carlile and Robbie Gray fighting to get into the team for this weekend’s clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium, the coaches will have a tough job at the selection table, especially with the young backs performing so well.
But there's a whole team of exciting players to look forward to this year, and we can't wait for it to all start against the Blues on Sunday night!
We are ready for Round 1. We are ready for 2014. We will turn up. We will never, ever give up. We are Port Adelaide.
Success, in particular midfield success, isn't something that just happens. Everyone was disappointed in the result to quarter time, especially our midfielders.
The group was challenged by the coaches and pegged back this deficit in the following three quarters, eventually losing the clearances by five.
Matthew Lobbe and Brent Renouf battled well in the ruck to give our mids first chance at the ball. They won the hit outs with Renouf having a game-high 24 hitouts, with seven to advantage while Lobbe won 20 and hit six to advantage.
The only midfielder to really take advantage of the ruck dominance was Ollie Wines.
For me, Wines was best on the ground.
It's been a big week for the young 'Bull' after he signed a contract extension and on Saturday he showed why he'll be invaluable to Port Adelaide's future.
Wines finished the game with 13 first possessions (seven of those coming from centre bounce), seven clearances and 23 disposals.
The development of the whole midfield group over the off-season with Phil Walsh and Josh Carr at the helm has been enormous, and they will be looking to deliver this week going up against a formidable Carlton midfield.
Again, Jarman Impey and Jared Polec showed why they were brought to Alberton with their silky skills and precise ball movement making it hard for the Saints to defend against.
Polec finished his pre-season with an average of 22 disposals, three inside-50s, seven marks and an amazing efficiency rating of 88%!
At times the two teams seemed to mirror each other with their ball movement; this was no surprise. With Richo at the Saints, he will use Port Adelaide’s 2013 season to inspire his playing group and use his experience to guide the development of their game style.
The Saints switched the ball well from defence especially early, but seemed to lose some drive later in the game as we wrestled back control at stoppages and scored from the Saints' turnovers.
They were very efficient going forward and scored heavily from limited entries, even with their key forward in Riewoldt having a relatively quiet game for his standards (2 goals, 13 disposals).
Tommy Clurey did an amazing job on one of the competition's premier running forwards in only his second season of AFL (and fifth game against an AFL opponent!).
Clurey’s ferocious intent was shown during the second half where he tackled Riewoldt to the ground and held his own as the two continued to wrestle on the deck. The young defender then got to his feet and won a ground ball contest - cracking in and showing that he has the ability to take on the big guns and keep going!
He has advanced in many areas during the last month - which happens when you get live match experience against quality opposition. His efforts will give the coaches confidence that he can make the step up to the big league when selected.
With the likes of Schulz, Trengove, Carlile and Robbie Gray fighting to get into the team for this weekend’s clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium, the coaches will have a tough job at the selection table, especially with the young backs performing so well.
But there's a whole team of exciting players to look forward to this year, and we can't wait for it to all start against the Blues on Sunday night!
We are ready for Round 1. We are ready for 2014. We will turn up. We will never, ever give up. We are Port Adelaide.
