PORT ADELAIDE’S non-selected players were put through their paces in a competitive scratch match against Sydney on Friday afternoon, running out narrow victors.
The hit-out made it two games in two weeks for Port’s youngsters and Development Coach Matthew Lokan said it was great to see his charges grab the chance to play a competitive game with both hands.
“It was a perfect day here at Alberton and great for the guys to have their second game in as many weeks,” Lokan told portadelaidefc.com.au postgame.
“I thought compared to last week (against Hawthorn) our guys came with a fantastic attitude and their energy was great. It was a really good hit out.”
After Ken Hinkley revealed five changes at AFL level at an earlier press conference, lining up in the scratch match was a mix of senior players looking to get back into the AFL side and youngsters pressing their case for their first taste of senior footy in 2020.
Lokan was pleased to see an even spread of performers across the game and that everyone took to the field with the right mindset to perform well.
“It was much more even. The guys that have played some footy – and especially AFL football – over the last month or so were really good today,” he said.
“Steven Motlop worked his way into the game. His last period was fantastic. He kicked a couple of goals and got back into some touch, which is what we really need.
“Dan Houston is a class above this level, his ability to use the ball and get a hold of it was great.
“Also some young guys, I thought Jackson Mead and Trent Burgoyne showed some patches today which was really good for our future going forward.”
With no second tier competition to press their wares for selection, Lokan said there was no shortage of excitement to play against outside opposition.
“The players are just so excited to play. We haven’t played in so long and the games have been a bit sporadic in when we’ve been able to play,” he said.
“Most of the guys cross that white line they get competitive and they want to play and they’re physical.
“There was a bit of push and shove today which is great those competitive juices come out.
“It’s less about the score and more about guys putting their hands up to be able to play AFL football.
After training in Port’s captain’s run earlier in the day, the club’s AFL selected players stuck around to cheer their teammates on and Lokan said it was just another sign of the connectedness of the playing group at Alberton.
“That’s what we’ve based our season on – we’re a really tight group and we’re really connected,” he said.
“The AFL selected guys trained this morning and then hung around to watch the game this afternoon.
“That’s what we base our footy club off. It’s a perfect day here, the sun's out, who wouldn’t want to watch a game of footy?”
