With Port Adelaide's AFL and SANFL sides running out for trial matches this weekend, we take a look at some of the notable points from the weekend just gone and heading into our upcoming clash against the Fremantle Dockers at Encounter Bay.

Looking back
Port Adelaide travelled to Mandurah in Western Australia to play the West Coast Eagles in Round 2 of the NAB Cup. In a tight contest, the Power was unlucky to fall by five points to the more fancied Eagles after a late goal by veteran goal sneak Daniel Kerr sealed the win for the home team. Importantly, Port Adelaide's squad was one of the least experienced to take the field, with an average playing experience of just 36 games, so the result was all the more impressive against a likely top six side! Standout performances from youngsters Jarrad Redden, John Butcher, Daniel Stewart and Ben Jacobs leave the Power's long term outlook showing promise.

Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 1.12.6.87 def by
West Coast Eagles 1.12.11.92

Goals: Butcher 5, McCarthy 3, Salopek, D. Stewart, Banner, Broadbent.
Super Goals: Logan.
Best: Butcher, D. Stewart, Jacobs, Chaplin, Redden, McCarthy

The Coach, Matthew Primus
"You always want to win games of football, regardless of what's on the end of it. I was just real pleased with the way the players continued to stick at it. We changed our team around a fair bit but they hung in there. We just weren't able to play a consistent 20 minutes of footy - we were in the game for five or six minutes then dropped right out - so it was a bit of a see-saw for us."

"I was just real pleased with the way that the guys were able to hang in there regardless of who we had in certain positions - they just kept playing the way we wanted to play."

The Captain, Hamish Hartlett
"Dom and Boaky really set the standard in our team but obviously they weren't out there (against West Coast), so I was almost one of the more experienced midfielders. So I certainly took more ownership on that (leadership) and it's certainly something I want to improve on. I don't think we surprised ourselves, a lot of people doubted us last week against Carlton and the Crows as well. It just shows if you stick to what you know and what you've been practising and preaching over the last few months that you can compete with top sides.

"They (West Coast) had a reasonable group, they obviously had a fair few players out as well but it certainly gives us a lot of confidence going into the season."

Stats stack
Kicks: Chaplin 16, McCarthy 15, Salopek 14, D. Stewart 11.
Handballs: Redden 11, Pfeiffer 9, Jacobs 8, Moore, Wingard 7.
Disposals: Pfeiffer, Jacobs, Salopek, McCarthy, Chaplin 18.
Marks: Chaplin 8, D. Stewart, Logan, P. Stewart 7.
Tackles: Redden 6, Pfeiffer, Hartlett 4, Jonas 3.
Dream Team: McCarthy 99, Redden 84, Salopek, Chaplin 79, D. Stewart 75.

Port Adelaide Proud
Port Adelaide die-hards would have loved the hard brand of footy put on by Tom Logan during the second quarter. Parents should definitely show their young footballers our PTV footage of the tough-as-nails Power utility spoiling a West Coast kick, falling to the ground and following up his great smother with a tremendous second effort, culminating in a tremendous super goal from sixty metres out. Tommy was surprised to see how far he could kick after going for a tumble - just goes to show that anything is possible when you're wearing a Port Adelaide jumper!

Coming up
Port Adelaide will travel to Encounter Bay Football Club for its Round 3 NAB Cup clash against the Fremantle Dockers.
The match commences at 3.40pm and will be a full match with a number of key players featuring for both sides. Encounter Bay Football Club is based on Armstrong Road, Victor Harbor and word from the locals is that it is an excellent venue for the clash. Forecasts are fine and sunny so come down to the coast to watch a great game of footy!

The last five
Port Adelaide has won one of its last five games against Fremantle in the home and away season. Typically Port Adelaide plays fluid, high-scoring football against the Dockers with the Power maintaining a high average score of 83.3 points scored.
Round 9 2011, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 14.6.90 def by Fremantle 21.16.142
Round 14 2010, Subiaco - Port Adelaide 8.10.58 def by Fremantle 17.13.115
Round 19 2009, Subiaco - Port Adelaide 11.8.74 def by Fremantle 17.14.116
Round 11 2009, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 14.10.94 def Fremantle 11.4.70
Round 17 2008, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 15.11.101 def by Fremantle 20.9.129

The Black and the White
Port Adelaide's SANFL League and Reserves sides hosted West Adelaide at Alberton last Saturday. Both sides were impressive with the seconds taking out a 27 point victory whilst the senior side dominated proceedings to run out 100 point winners.

New recruit Callum Wilson was impressive for the Magpies, with seven majors to his name. He was ably assisted by Luke Harder who goaled three times himself. Better ball movement and forward entry were on display in the impressive win and the Magpies will now travel to Elizabeth for their second trial against Central Districts.

Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 19.7.121 def
West Adelaide 3.3.21

Goals: Wilson 7, Harder 3, Clayton 2, Mercer, Gray, Slattery, Summerton, Cockshell, Kulikowski, Thurgood.
Best: Wilson, Harder, Clayton, Dolling, Biacsi, Rose, Cockshell, Hoskin.

Next match: Away against Central District at Playford Alive, Saturday 10 March, League starts 2.15pm, Reserves 11.15am.