PORT ADELAIDE caretaker coach Matthew Primus says the next six rounds will reveal which of the club's players are capable of taking a proposed attacking game plan into next year.
PTV: Primus' First 5th Quarter
Primus' first game at the helm ended in a 36-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Darwin, and left him with mixed emotions after the final siren.
"We showed some signs and we know what kind of game style we want to play but obviously our members and sponsors will still be disappointed that we've lost again," he said.
"But in the next six weeks we'll find out who can sustain our game style and who can't and we'll move that into 2011."
He said long and quick ball movement into the forward 50 was the plan for the side, which it showed it was capable of in the first quarter when it assembled a 16-point lead over the Dogs.
"Teams are good at holding us up and when we do get the ball at times we can hold onto it a bit longer than we should," he said.
"We've got to find that balance and that's got a bit to do with teaching the guys our game style and understanding there are a lot of inexperienced guys out there trying to do it."
Primus was pleased with the leadership shown by captain Domenic Cassisi and ruckman Dean Brogan, who played the game with a cut above his eye that continued to open.
He was also happy with how Steven Salopek, Troy Chaplin and Tom Logan responded to a directive to take on more leadership, how the backline held up under pressure and how they matched the Dogs for contested possessions.
However, he said a result against Adelaide next week was crucial.
"Even though [coaching] was a good experience, it does leave a sour taste in your mouth with a loss," he said.
"We now go into a Showdown, which is our home game and we obviously want everyone to get behind us, our supporters, and outnumber the Adelaide mob that is up and going.
"We've got a few days' extra break to get ready for that and we'll pick another team to try and play that game style and sustain that and we get to play another game at home.
"Home hasn't been great for us but we're really focused on the four home games we've got for the rest of the year."
Primus said the match committee would decide on whether to persevere with the out-of-form Daniel Motlop after his 10-possession contribution.
The club will also determine the course of action for Salopek's shoulder, which he has dislocated numerous times this year.
Nathan Krakouer, Robbie Gray and Andrew Moore will all come into selection consideration in the coming weeks.
