Power’s fitness policy paying off

Bandaged Power forward Jay Schulz leads for a mark pursued by West Coast's Eric MacKenzie. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide has confirmed its standing as one of the best-finishing and gut-running teams in the league after running over West Coast by 14 points on a warm night at Subiaco on Saturday night.

Port has invested heavily in its fitness regime — among measures used have included heat training and heading to Dubai for a pre-season camp — and it is now cashing in.

In one of the most watchable games of the rounds, one between two teams in good form and looking like finals contenders, the Power did more work through their relentless running but still outran West Coast to cement itself as a top-four side.

You couldn't pick this match until late, and there were only two points in it at half time. One point as the final quarter began.

But there were distinctly different patterns developing and distinctly different ways in which the teams approached the game.

Port has pace and endurance which translates into what is called spread in the modern language and it used it relentlessly; it did not matter if that meant that extra ground was covered to reach a scoring opportunities.

The Power players switched, were prepared the long route and were prepared to work and run just a little bit harder for a shot at goals.

Port's Jared Polec looks to get past the Eagles' Chris Maston. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper.

West Coast, in contrast, is becoming older and smarter as its list matures and develops under the leadership of new coach Adam Simpson.

The Eagles like to take a more direct route, using the wins ruckman Nic Naitanui has in the midfield to bang it into the forward 50 and back their forward.

They also have busy ball getters such as Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa and Jack Darling who are prepared to move the ball on through the centre of the ground even though it carries an element of risk.

Others stood out. Naitainui was occasionally a monster in the ruck, creating a chain of possessions and making the Eagles look like they had the game figured out.

For much of the early stages it was ferocious: a match played with genuine pace and hard hits. But it wasn't his day; his season is on a slow burn even though he continues to provide a few highlights.

But as much as it was a gridlock at Subiaco for much of the match, several of Port's players made an impression.

Alipate "Bobby'' Carlile, who was standing Josh Kennedy, was working far up the flanks and was an important player well outside the traditional area in which you expect a full back to operate.

Matthew Lobbe had been singled out before the match as a key player, having to deal with All-Australian pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui, but he handled himself as though he knew nothing about the reputations about the aforementioned.

He didn't smash them, but he played a top-shelf game by not allowing his highly-credentialed opponents to dictate terms.

Jackson Trengove played with a level of authority and, like Carlile, he is covering a lot of ground.

But it was always going to fall on the midfielders. Jared Polec was slick and elusive and set up several attacking forays; former Eagle Brad Ebert was irresistibe both with what he did in the middle and in front of goals.

Ebert was outstanding. He not only outworks his opponents, but he blends his midfield grit with a dash of attacking flair and it would be understandable if the parochial crowd at Subiaco were wondering how they let him go as he danced around his former home ground.

Then there was Matthew Broadbent, Hamish Hartlett and multiple club champion Kane Cornes who did what they always do: work, work and work.

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