PORT ADELAIDE forward Steven Motlop says the loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night gave his side a strong reminder that it needs to be at its best every week and throughout games.
The Power gave the ‘Dogs a 25-point advantage by quarter time and was forced to fight back before being overrun at Adelaide Oval.
Motlop said it was a stark reminder about being switched on around the contest across the park.
“Against the good sides we’ve had a couple of bad starts and winning the contested ball as well and getting it into our forward half to try to play some front half footy,” he explained.
“That’s what every team is trying to do in the AFL and we haven’t done that against some quality opposition and it shows that once we let them start well, it’s hard to get them back.
“The good sides are good at the contested ball. We’ve got to be able to match them and get the ball rolling our way.
“It’s even winning the contest in the forward line – so not letting the ball come out as easily – and the backs winning the battle.”
Port Adelaide is currently fifth on the AFL ladder as one of five sides with six wins and three losses.
There has been some criticism around the side’s ability to beat top eight teams given losses to the ‘Dogs, Brisbane and West Coast but Motlop said it didn’t matter where a team sat on the ladder, they all deserved respect.
“The competition is so close these days. You have to bring your best every week and we get another chance this week,” he said.
“I think you need to be consistent throughout the year to be able to give yourself the best chance to compete at the end of the year.
“Hopefully we’ll get a few guys back in the second half of the year that are really important to our side and that’ll give us the best chance of doing that.
“We’ve got a lot of improvement ahead of us. We’re a youngish side as well. We’ve got some young guys in the forward line that haven’t played much footy and I think we’re improving.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do but we’re keen to embrace that and put the work in.”
Some would be expecting some extra spice in Sunday’s clash at the MCG involving Port Adelaide and Collingwood given the recent debate about Port’s wish to wear a heritage black and white ‘prison bar’ jumper in all Showdowns going forward.
The club was blocked by the AFL a few weeks ago but the parties intend to discuss the matter cordially in the future.
Motlop said the ‘prison bar’ discussion was one for the club’s CEO and board, and he expected both sides to be more worried about getting back on the winners’ list.
“It’s always competitive in AFL footy, whether it’s over a jumper or not,” Motlop said.
“We’re expecting them to come out firing and we’re going to be doing the same thing.
“I think it’s more for South Australian football to wear it in the Showdown so we want to be able to wear it. It’s got such a strong history in South Australian football so we want to wear it in Showdowns.”
Motlop said he hoped Dan Houston would be able to return from an AC joint injury which kept him out of last week’s game.
An extended squad for Sunday’s Collingwood game will be named on Thursday evening before being trimmed on Friday.
