HARD, FAIR and almost there - that was the theme emanating from Alberton on Monday morning following Port Adelaide’s bruising six-point loss to Adelaide in Showdown XXIV.
The Power, whose desire had been questioned during the week, employed a physical approach to Sunday’s game against their arch-rivals and very nearly walked away with the points.
Defender Troy Chaplin said the players “just knew” they had to respond after last week’s disappointing loss to the Swans.
“Last week was a pitiful effort and, in the second half, I think we were second to the ball. Last night, both teams showed a fierce attack on the footy, and it was a credit to the guys,” he said.
“We didn’t really talk about it [being physical] during the week. I think the guys just knew that last week wasn’t good enough.
“I think after our second half against Geelong and the game last night, the guys realise that it’s [a win] not too far away.
“The way we played and our attack on the footy was second-to-none, and it’s probably the best we’ve had for a while.
“The boys should be really proud, and it’s something we can take forward this week. We can’t just rely on one game; we have to take it forward to the next 19 games.”
The hard-fought encounter resulted in injuries to as many as six Adelaide players, but Chaplin was confident the Power “didn’t go over the top” in their attack on the body and the ball.
“No, definitely not - that’s football. When you’ve got two guys with a fierce attack on the footy, someone is going to come off second-best, and it was just unfortunate it was them [the Crows],” he said.
“I don’t think you can look into it that much. It wasn’t a deliberate attack. It’s just football and the way the game pans out.”
Adelaide was down to as few as 18 fit men at different stages throughout the game, and Chaplin said his team did everything to take advantage of their undermanned opponents.
The Power piled on three goals in 10 minutes to creep within a kick of the Crows, and they looked like stealing victory before a throw was paid against young forward Justin Westhoff in the dying stages.
“It was a great effort from them [Adelaide] with four guys down. We just couldn’t get over the line in the end,” Chaplin said.
“We threw everything at them, and unfortunately just couldn’t get there. It was a great effort from the guys to battle it out. We never gave up.
“I don’t know if we could’ve taken any more advantage of it because the guys did bust their butts right down to the very end.
“Even when the Crows were kicking it around at the end there, we almost got that interception. If a free kick hadn’t been paid, we had a couple of guys on, so it’s amazing to think what could’ve happened in the end.
“You take the good with the bad, and unfortunately that’s just the way footy is.”
