PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley says he is most pleased with his side’s ability to control the game in the win over St Kilda and get the added bonus of coming away injury free.
Port withstood an early surge by the Saints to come away comfortable victors on ANZAC Day evening 14.9 (93) to 5.9 (39).
Vice-Captain Ollie Wines took home the Peter Badcoe VC Medal as the player who best displayed the ANZAC spirit and qualities of skill, courage in adversity, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play during the game.
From Hinkley’s perspective it was a controlled and mature performance.
“It was good to get through a strong performance without injury. Everyone in the competition has been banged up a bit so you take the result and you also take the added little bit on the top, which was a fresh squad,” Hinkley said.
“We controlled the game, we played a really calm, composed game of football. We knew the threat and how hard St Kilda would come, particularly early.
“We understood where they sat in the last couple of weeks. We took on the risk and managed it really well.
“We knew that marking the ball tonight was important with the way St Kilda hunts and pressures you.”
Port Adelaide controlled the play and had 142 more uncontested possessions than the Saints, taking the sting out of the game at Adelaide Oval when the visitors were expected to come out breathing fire after a poor showing against Richmond last week.
And with 19 inside 50s to seven against it in the first quarter, Port’s backline withstood the pressure.
“We copped a few and we held on on the scoreboard,” Hinkley said.
“What I know about the game is that when you get repeat entries, the issue can be that when it breaks the other way you can get scored against and we were able to do that against St Kilda.”
Along with Wines, Karl Amon and Travis Boak running the midfield and skipper Tom Jonas patrolling the defence, Orazio Fantasia and Steven Motlop each booted three goals.
Another shining light was debutant Martin Frederick who looked comfortable at the level off half back with his trademark dash and carry.
Hinkley was full of praise for the 20-year-old who grew up a Port supporter and came through its Next Generation Academy.
“At the end of last year he was not contracted and he had to wait a period of time but we knew he had some talent and we wanted to keep him around,” the coach explained of the young man of South Sudanese heritage.
“What he’s done through the pre-season is that if you put your head down and work with your coaches and more importantly commit to your own career – which is what we ask them to do, make it the best it can be – part of the program is that we support them and that makes the program successful.
“His words after the game was that he was buzzing. He’s a young and enthusiastic and energetic young man and the way he played tonight is the way he trains, the way he plays at SANFL level.
“He’s got some courage to take the game on. The boys recognise that and give him the ball and encourage him to play.”
Dan Houston also performed strongly despite being under an injury cloud and needing a fitness test before the game.
Hinkley said the defender’s shoulder still didn’t have a full range of movement but he was pleased with Houston’s showing.
Port next faces the Lions in Brisbane next Saturday night.
