Looking back
After a victory against the Saints that senior player Kane Cornes tweeted was one of the best team efforts he’d ever been involved in, Port Adelaide travelled to play Essendon in an important follow up match. Missed opportunities in front of goal and errors in the middle marred an otherwise serviceable performance by the team against a likely finals contender.
Going down to the Bombers by only 25 points, Port Adelaide’s newer faces were again impressive, with Chad Wingard particularly demonstrating why he was so lauded during the pre-season. The young Murray Bridge midfielder was in fine touch during the opening stint of the match, before a knock to his eye in the second quarter had him subbed off. The side was also serviced well by the forward acumen of Jay Schulz (4 goals) and Justin Westhoff (three)
[ Related: Quarter by Quarter ]
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) def by
Essendon 16.15 (111)
Best: Schulz, Trengove, Westhoff, Pearce, Carlile, Cornes, Chaplin
Goals: Schulz 4, Westhoff 3, McCarthy, P. Stewart, Wingard, Brad Ebert, Redden, Thomas.
The Coach, Matthew Primus
“The first half, defensively, we were poor around the ground. More so on the outside of the ground, our spreading was poor compared to where we were against St Kilda. To the boys’ credit they improved on it in the second half but still isn’t acceptable and it’s why we lost the game.
Going down to the Bombers by only 25 points, Port Adelaide’s newer faces were again impressive, with Chad Wingard particularly demonstrating why he was so lauded during the pre-season. The young Murray Bridge midfielder was in fine touch during the opening stint of the match, before a knock to his eye in the second quarter had him subbed off. The side was also serviced well by the forward acumen of Jay Schulz (4 goals) and Justin Westhoff (three)
[ Related: Quarter by Quarter ]
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) def by
Essendon 16.15 (111)
Best: Schulz, Trengove, Westhoff, Pearce, Carlile, Cornes, Chaplin
Goals: Schulz 4, Westhoff 3, McCarthy, P. Stewart, Wingard, Brad Ebert, Redden, Thomas.
The Coach, Matthew Primus
“The first half, defensively, we were poor around the ground. More so on the outside of the ground, our spreading was poor compared to where we were against St Kilda. To the boys’ credit they improved on it in the second half but still isn’t acceptable and it’s why we lost the game.
“It’s important to maintain intensity during the game like we did in Round 1.
“We play at home this week and that’s terrific. After the game (against Essendon) we were able to show them what they could have done in certain situations to give us a better result, and also show how not doing other things makes life difficult for us.”
The captain, Dom Cassisi
"We’ve put a fair amount of work into our structures over the off-season and are pretty confident in them and they hold up pretty well I think. We were hurt at the centre bounces early but that seemed to come good in the second half.”
The captain, Dom Cassisi
"We’ve put a fair amount of work into our structures over the off-season and are pretty confident in them and they hold up pretty well I think. We were hurt at the centre bounces early but that seemed to come good in the second half.”
“It was a tough battle and they really brought a lot of heat to us so full credit to Essendon.”
Stats stack
Kicks: Cornes 18, Boak 16, Broadbent 14, Cassisi, Pearce 12
Handballs: Surjan 12, McCarthy, Rodan 10
Disposals: Cornes 27, Pearce, Cassisi 21, Broadbent, McCarthy 20
Marks: Cornes 9, Westhoff 8, Schulz 7, Brad Ebert 6
Tackles: Thomas 7, Trengove, Cassisi 5
Dream Team: Cornes 101, Schulz 89<, Westhoff 85, Cassisi, Broadbent 82
Gray and Wingard set to feature
Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard should be fit to play against Sydney this week after overcoming injuries. Gray will be tested prior to selection with a full-recovery from hamstring soreness expected. Wingard had a scare during the Essendon match when his was struck on the eye, but should suit up in the black jumper on Saturday afternoon.
[ Related: Injury update ]
Cheers to fans at Open Training
Senior coach Matthew Primus was pumped to see a good turnout at the club’s open training session on Tuesday night. The team postponed its regular business hours training program to provide the club’s supporters with the opportunity to come out to Alberton Oval and catch a twilight training session - with the entire senior squad on track. Primus says that the players loved training in front of the faithful and are looking forward to the next three in 2012.
Peter Badcoe VC Medal
Port Adelaide will continue its tradition of recognising the best player in its home Anzac month clash with the Peter Badcoe VC Medal. Peter Badcoe VC was the last South Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross - a military honour bestowed for bravery in combat. He received the honour for three separate acts of bravery during the Vietnam War and the club continues to acknowledge the contribution of both he and the Anzac Spirit through the presentation of the medal to the player who most exemplifies this spirit on Saturday.
Stats stack
Kicks: Cornes 18, Boak 16, Broadbent 14, Cassisi, Pearce 12
Handballs: Surjan 12, McCarthy, Rodan 10
Disposals: Cornes 27, Pearce, Cassisi 21, Broadbent, McCarthy 20
Marks: Cornes 9, Westhoff 8, Schulz 7, Brad Ebert 6
Tackles: Thomas 7, Trengove, Cassisi 5
Dream Team: Cornes 101, Schulz 89<, Westhoff 85, Cassisi, Broadbent 82
Gray and Wingard set to feature
Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard should be fit to play against Sydney this week after overcoming injuries. Gray will be tested prior to selection with a full-recovery from hamstring soreness expected. Wingard had a scare during the Essendon match when his was struck on the eye, but should suit up in the black jumper on Saturday afternoon.
[ Related: Injury update ]
Cheers to fans at Open Training
Senior coach Matthew Primus was pumped to see a good turnout at the club’s open training session on Tuesday night. The team postponed its regular business hours training program to provide the club’s supporters with the opportunity to come out to Alberton Oval and catch a twilight training session - with the entire senior squad on track. Primus says that the players loved training in front of the faithful and are looking forward to the next three in 2012.
Peter Badcoe VC Medal
Port Adelaide will continue its tradition of recognising the best player in its home Anzac month clash with the Peter Badcoe VC Medal. Peter Badcoe VC was the last South Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross - a military honour bestowed for bravery in combat. He received the honour for three separate acts of bravery during the Vietnam War and the club continues to acknowledge the contribution of both he and the Anzac Spirit through the presentation of the medal to the player who most exemplifies this spirit on Saturday.
[ Related: Peter Badcoe VC Medal ]
Power 22 gives opportunity to young fans
Families of young fans are invited to get in touch with the Power Community Ltd team for their child to be part of the Power 22 at Port Adelaide’s home games. Kids under the age of 12 can run onto the ground before the game as part of the Power 22 squad and cheer the players on from outside the race as they run through the banner. To express an interest email the club with your full name, child’s name, age and contact number.
Williams-Gallagher Cup
Port Adelaide takes on Norwood this weekend in the first match of the Williams-Gallagher Cup for 2012. The two clubs both have a proud and volatile history in the SANFL and recognise the great contributions of the Williams and Gallagher families to their respective clubs through the Cup. Port Adelaide and Norwood are the two traditional powerhouse clubs of the SANFL and remain bitter rivals. With two games scheduled in 2012, the winner of both will take home the trophy. In the event of a tie, the Cup is retained by the previous winner.
Coming up
Port Adelaide hosts the Sydney Swans in Round 3 of the 2012 premiership season. Port Adelaide (like many teams) has struggled away against Sydney through their years of premiership success and ultra-defensive game style.
Victory in this game is critical to allow the Power to sit 2-1 prior to a massive challenge against 2011 grand finalist Collingwood. Port Adelaide
The last five
Round 8 2011, SCG - Port Adelaide 9.5 (59) def by Sydney 18.13 (121)
Round 12 2010, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 8.7 (55) def by Sydney 14.9 (93)
Round 9 2009, SCG - Port Adelaide 10.8 (68) def by Sydney 18.15 (123)
Round 9 2008, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) def by Sydney 16.9 (109)
Power 22 gives opportunity to young fans
Families of young fans are invited to get in touch with the Power Community Ltd team for their child to be part of the Power 22 at Port Adelaide’s home games. Kids under the age of 12 can run onto the ground before the game as part of the Power 22 squad and cheer the players on from outside the race as they run through the banner. To express an interest email the club with your full name, child’s name, age and contact number.
Williams-Gallagher Cup
Port Adelaide takes on Norwood this weekend in the first match of the Williams-Gallagher Cup for 2012. The two clubs both have a proud and volatile history in the SANFL and recognise the great contributions of the Williams and Gallagher families to their respective clubs through the Cup. Port Adelaide and Norwood are the two traditional powerhouse clubs of the SANFL and remain bitter rivals. With two games scheduled in 2012, the winner of both will take home the trophy. In the event of a tie, the Cup is retained by the previous winner.
Coming up
Port Adelaide hosts the Sydney Swans in Round 3 of the 2012 premiership season. Port Adelaide (like many teams) has struggled away against Sydney through their years of premiership success and ultra-defensive game style.
Victory in this game is critical to allow the Power to sit 2-1 prior to a massive challenge against 2011 grand finalist Collingwood. Port Adelaide
The last five
Round 8 2011, SCG - Port Adelaide 9.5 (59) def by Sydney 18.13 (121)
Round 12 2010, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 8.7 (55) def by Sydney 14.9 (93)
Round 9 2009, SCG - Port Adelaide 10.8 (68) def by Sydney 18.15 (123)
Round 9 2008, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) def by Sydney 16.9 (109)
Round 2 2008, SCG - Port Adelaide 11.12 (78) def by Sydney 22.14 (146)
The Black and the White
Port Adelaide defeated Subiaco at AAMI Stadium in the opening round of the Foxtel Cup. The team has progressed to the qualifying final of the competition against Queensland-based Morningside.
Port Adelaide will play archrivals Norwood in the Magpies’ first home game of 2012 on Sunday. Norwood are in impressive form and are looking set for a big year, whilst the Port Adelaide boys are looking to capitalise on their underdog tag to shake up the SANFL competition over the coming weeks. Reserves start at 11.25am with League at 2.10pm
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 7.9 (51) def
Subiaco 5.6 (36)
Best: Ebert, Kirkwood, Stanley, Biasci, Hoskin, Meiklejohn.
Goals: Cockshell, Ebert, Gray, Grove, Harder, Hoskin, Kirkwood
Next match: Home at Alberton Oval, Sunday 15 April, 2.10pm, Reserves at 11.25am.
The Black and the White
Port Adelaide defeated Subiaco at AAMI Stadium in the opening round of the Foxtel Cup. The team has progressed to the qualifying final of the competition against Queensland-based Morningside.
Port Adelaide will play archrivals Norwood in the Magpies’ first home game of 2012 on Sunday. Norwood are in impressive form and are looking set for a big year, whilst the Port Adelaide boys are looking to capitalise on their underdog tag to shake up the SANFL competition over the coming weeks. Reserves start at 11.25am with League at 2.10pm
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 7.9 (51) def
Subiaco 5.6 (36)
Best: Ebert, Kirkwood, Stanley, Biasci, Hoskin, Meiklejohn.
Goals: Cockshell, Ebert, Gray, Grove, Harder, Hoskin, Kirkwood
Next match: Home at Alberton Oval, Sunday 15 April, 2.10pm, Reserves at 11.25am.
