Port looks for fast action on slow starts
Port Adelaide is working hard to race out of the blocks in its games despite several weeks of slow starts.
The Power has trailed at quarter time in six of their eight games this year, after Carlton got away to an early lead on Sunday.
While the club has been able to fight its way back into the contest in each of its three losses this season, sluggish starts continue to hurt.
Tough midfielder Andrew Moore maintained his side was aware of its problem and would address it at training.
"It doesn't turn around straight away; it's something that will take time.
"It's something that we're focusing on and we'll keep driving it throughout this week and the next coming weeks.
"We'll get there; we are a developing side as well so it's something we need to work on."
The Power's opponent this weekend, Geelong, has also had a tough time starting games as they've finished them this season.
The Cats have only led at quarter-time twice in 2013 but, like Port, have finished strongly, winning six second halves.
The perennial premiership challengers will test another of Power coach Ken Hinkley's key challenges this weekend – his side's ability to handle pressure.
Port turned the ball over far too often on Sunday, resulting in easy goals with players caught out of position.
"We know what we have to work on and if we bring that defensive pressure that we've been concentrating on … then you can match it with any team," Moore said.
"It's like the pressure that's been put on us over the last couple of weeks, especially with the Tigers and Carlton on the weekend.
"We're trying to deal with that, but then also if we put massive heat and massive pressure around the ball and on Geelong then we'll hopefully be able to match it with them and beat them.
"We need to embrace the pressure and I think we'll be a better team down the road when we accept it and we'll deal with it a lot better."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.