YOUNG Power forward Cameron Hitchcock booted three goals in a game in vain against the Crows, as the Power tasted defeat once more.
In Balfours Showdown XXXI, the livewire small forward worked hard to the wing and back inside 50, winning 18 possessions, taking 7 marks, and kicking 2 behinds along with his three goals.
But, like all associated with the proud Port Adelaide Football Club, he was shattered by the final result.
“We wanted to come out in a big game on a big day for us,” he says of the attitude before the game, “but we just couldn’t quite deliver for four quarters.”
Admitting that it’s been a problem throughout 2011 for the side, he says that the club’s current position at the foot of the AFL ladder is “…really sitting in our guts.
“We need to develop consistency and care for each other a bit more,” the 21-year old said. “We had a chat after the game and talked about why it wasn’t happening for us, and how we can do something a bit different or provide more of a contest for four quarters.”
Senior coach Matthew Primus held the playing group behind closed doors for an extended period following the 32 point loss to the Adelaide Crows, pointing out to his young group just what they need to do to improve ahead of the mammoth task of facing reigning premiers Collingwood at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night from 7.10pm.
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“It’s a big challenge this week,” Hitchcock agreed. “We’ve just got to knuckle down this week - we’ll review the game [on Monday] and just keep looking ahead and look forward to playing against the best players every week.”
Hitchcock believes that the Power’s best is more than competitive enough to make the game a contest, but that the worst they show on field is not up to AFL standard.
“We’ve got to look at playing better footy for four quarters and not being up-and-down, which kills us,” he believes.
“This club has a very good tradition, and is very proud, and it’s not a good feeling for supporters or players at the moment. We’ve got to knuckle down and see if we can get another couple of wins and finish the year on a positive note.”
