PORT Adelaide’s road back to September action will be built on the continued improvement of its second-tier players, according to midfielder David Rodan.
Rodan celebrated his 100th AFL game with another hard-running performance in the Power’s 28 point win over Fremantle at Subiaco.
The win kept the Power in touch with the top eight and Rodan said the players still believed they could play finals football.
“Fremantle was a crucial game we had to win and we’re happy we got over the line,” Rodan said.
“In previous weeks we’ve been around the mark but haven’t gotten the win. We’ve been telling ourselves that we play good footy and if we keep doing it we can get over the line.
“So it meant a lot that we ran out the game and got the win because previous weeks we’ve done it but fallen short.”
“I think Choco (coach Mark Williams) put it on the blokes that we had to be desperate to win because if we didn’t it would make it very hard to make it to the finals.
“So he put it on us and it was just great to see the boys react.”
Rodan said a freak goal from Daniel Motlop in the opening minute of the final quarter lifted the side.
“It’s pretty unbelievable playing with Daniel, he does those things week- in, week-out and it just lifts the group,” he said.
“It gives us belief and so it was great to see him kick that goal and keep us in the game.”
After the game Williams praised the improved performance of Alipate Carlile, Michael Pettigrew and Troy Chaplin. Williams said this group had been “marking time a little” but had made a big step forward in the victory.
Rodan backed his coach’s assessment and said further improvement was needed to be confident of a top eight finish.
“I think the most important thing is that we keep getting our third-year and fourth-year players to continue to step up,” Rodan said.
“If we can get those guys to keep stepping up and keep playing some good footy, then more times than not we’ll get a win.”
Rodan, who revived his career at Port Adelaide after being delisted by Richmond, said his 100-game milestone was a very special moment but that playing finals football was his top priority.
“All we can do is concentrate on Carlton next week and look forward to playing some of the same footy that we played today and hopefully get the win again and we’ll roll on from there,” he said.
