THE POWER may be cruising at six and one this season, but watching training this week, you wouldn’t know it.
Renowned for his intensity and commanding presence, coach Mark Williams put his squad to the test on Wednesday to replicate the Swans’ tough style of play. Several players came off the track worse for wear but the team will be better for the demanding hit-out.
Port Adelaide is prepared for a title fight against the Swans on Sunday and the Power will be keen to prove they’re contenders in the heavyweight division.
Port Adelaide’s recent form: beat Richmond by 40 points, beat Melbourne by five, beat St Kilda by 53, beat Collingwood by 18 and lost to Adelaide by 24.
Recent results against the Sydney Swans:
Round 17, 2006, Sydney 10.17 (77) d Port Adelaide 7.8 (50), AAMI
Round 2, 2006, Port Adelaide 15.16 (106) d Sydney 11.14 (80), SCG
Round 8, 2005, Sydney 9.15 (69) d Port Adelaide 6.9 (45), SCG
Round 12, 2004, Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) d Sydney 8.12 (60), AAMI
Qualifying Final, 2003 Sydney 15.10 (100) d Port Adelaide 13.10 (88), AAMI
Strengths: The Power’s goalkicking load was shared between ten players last week. In a testament to Port Adelaide’s depth, leading scorer Brett Ebert and goal sneaks Josh Mahoney and Nathan Krakouer were not amongst them.
Swans forward Barry Hall has proved the biggest headache for Mark Williams in recent times. Wakelin will get the job on the dangerous forward and if he and Michael Pettigrew win their positions, the Power should have too much firepower for the Swans.
Potential weaknesses:
When Port Adelaide was triumphant in round two last season, the Power were able to break free from the Swans’ chokehold style of play and record the second-highest score against them for the season.In round 17, when the Swans got up by 27 points it was Sydney that dominated possession and restricted the Power to just seven goals. Swans midfielders Amon Buchanan, Brett Kirk, Ryan O’Keefe and Adam Goodes had a day out against an undermanned Port Adelaide.
Despite not being in great touch, the Swans have conceded the fewest points this season behind West Coast and the Power will have to work hard for their goals. Steve Salopek was in stellar form prior to injuring a hamstring and will be a welcome return for the Power in the battle of the midfield.
They’re sweating on: Over the past six weeks the Power has earned the unwanted title of most inaccurate team in the competition. Port Adelaide has booted 77.94 in its last six games, equalling Collingwood with a conversion rate of just 45 per cent.
Poor kicking in front of goal arguably cost Port Adelaide its only loss of the season when the team kicked 8.15 against Adelaide. The top of the table Power will be determined not to let it cost them a second game.
Dangermen:
Brendon Lade: Lade enjoyed a fascinating battle with Darren Jolly last season with the ledger currently at one win apiece. Lade was instrumental in the Power’s round two win over the Swans with 24 hitouts, while Jolly took the honours when the Swans got up in round 17. The Power big man is in line for successive All-Australian selection and will be invaluable in Port Adelaide’s mission to expose the smaller Swans defenders.
Damon White: The West Australian was on fire in the first half last week finishing with 21 touches, 13 marks and 2.4. White dominated his clash with his shorter Tigers’ opponent, Brett Deledio, and should be too strong for Swan Craig Bolton.The super-fit centre-half forward kicked four goals against the Swans last year and will provide the Power with another tall target up forward at the small SCG ground.
Kane Cornes: Mark Williams’ decision to play Cornes last week was validated with a 27-possession game from the gritty on-baller. Within the opening 10 minutes Cornes was back to his fearless best, diving headfirst into a pack of Tigers. The younger Cornes is averaging 28 possessions a game this year and will thrive under the Swans pressure on Sunday.
It’s not generally known: Danyle Pearce’s three goals against Melbourne in round six were the most the dashing midfielder has kicked in an AFL game.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
