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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Injury cloud over two Crows players

Tom Lynch at Adelaide Crows training on Saturday. Picture: Sam Wundke. Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE expects to line up as selected despite injury clouds hanging over two players ahead of Sunday's game against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows on Saturday held defender Sam Shaw and utility Brodie Martin out of their SANFL side as cover for two unnamed players who had reported sore spots during the week.

Shaw's presence at Saturday's final training session could indicate Adelaide is concerned about the fitness of one of its key defenders.

Ben Rutten, Kyle Hartigan and Daniel Talia all appeared to complete training without issue, although Talia spoke to a trainer briefly as he exited the field.

The trio will need to be at their best to combat exciting Giants trio Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton and Tom Boyd in defence.

Boyd cut an imposing figure at Giants training on Saturday. GWS coach Leon Cameron expects the 18 year old to be nervous on Sunday but was excited about seeing last year's No. 1 draft pick make his debut.

"Naturally any first gamer is going to be nervous. He's going to be looking for his first touch of the footy, his first tackle," Cameron said.

Adelaide Crows coach Brendon Santerson admits his defenders face a daunting prospect when they come up against GWS Giants forwards Tom Boyd, Jeremy Cameron and Jonathan Patton this weekend.

"He's a key component in the future of the Giants and we look forward to seeing him strut his stuff tomorrow."

Cameron was full of praise for Adelaide, despite its 1-3 start to the season, suggesting the Crows' 86-point win against St Kilda was a better reflection of their ability.

"They're a terrific side. Their start to the year would have been disappointing - they acknowledged that," he said.

"But their win last week was full of authority ... we expect Adelaide to be a top eight side come the end of the year."

The Crows torched the Giants in Sydney last season - the day Tom Lynch bagged 10 goals.

But Cameron is confident his side has closed the gap, particularly in its ability to limit opposition scoring.

"I think the biggest area (of improvement) is our defence. We've concentrated on that over the preseason," he said.

"Whether that's tackle pressure or transition running ... we feel as though as a whole team we're defending a bit better than we were last year."

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Fitness not enough for Port

Port Adelaide coach, Ken Hinkley, admitted his side did not handle the pressure around the football as well as the Kangaroos did.

Hamish Hartlett at Port Adelaide training. Picture: SARAH REED. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide's claim as the AFL's fittest team is not enough to also establish the Power as a top-four contender.

Premiership-winning veteran Kane Cornes acknowledged this as the Power dealt with the lessons of the seven-point loss to North Melbourne that highlighted the Port players need strong minds to match their fast legs.

Cornes praised the Kangaroos for putting the Power under "amazing pressure - the best pressure we have faced for a fair amount of time" - and exposing his young teammates to invaluable lessons not on offer in fitness training at Alberton.

"The lesson is - when we are challenged - continue to play the way we know is successful," Cornes said.

"The group was exposed to amazing pressure (on Sunday when the Power conceded a last-quarter lead). And when that happens you have to keep playing our way; don't go safe - and take the game on. That is our strength.

"North Melbourne forced us to over-handball the ball - and that put us under more pressure. We're finding our way through the balance of kick-handball (ratios)," added Cornes.

Port Adelaide expect their star recruit Jared Polec to cop plenty of attention when he faces his former club, Brisbane Lions, for the first time.

The Power returns to Adelaide Oval on Saturday to celebrate its 2004 AFL premiership triumph when it hosts Brisbane, the club it dethroned at the MCG a decade ago when the Lions were billed as football's greatest-ever team after winning three consecutive flags.

Port will return to its 2004 jumper, the team's inaugural AFL guernsey with the teal top and black base to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the club's ultimate triumph from the extraordinary rivalry between the Power and Lions in 2001-04.

The match will mark the first test of the Oval's drawing power to football fans after a fortnight of "firsts" with the Showdown opening and the Crows' first home game on Saturday. And Cornes notes the Port fans have a major role against the Lions while the Power players are still trying to learn how to gain on-field advantages at the Oval.

"With the way our supporters turned out for the Showdown it should not take too long (to make the Oval into a Power fortress)," Cornes said.

"We still need to learn as a group how to play the Oval, but it is a fast ground and lends itself to high-scoring football. The teams that can defend the best and reduce the opposition's attacking options are the ones that are going to have the most success.

"We just need to continue to fine tune our defence, defend really hard, tackle hard and win contested footy and the fans will come and make it a loud and hostile place."

Port yesterday trained on the Oval and declared All-Australian Chad Wingard (ankle) would join fellow small forward Angus Monfries (hamstring) on the sidelines with injury. However, key forward Jay Schulz (foot) is clear to play.

Power assistant coach Josh Carr declared Monfries should not spend more than a month on the sidelines - and Port had enough depth to passd the injury test posed while senior coach Ken Hinkley rethinks how to re-structure his attack without the opportunist duo of Wingard and Monfries.

"We definitely have guys in good form in the Magpies," said Carr. "Aaron Young is a chance, Sam Gray is a chance, Paul Stewart, Cam O'Shea, Sam Colquhoun ... there are a number for players there who we think they can come in to full those positions if we go like-for-like or something else. We are confident anyone who comes into our team can play the role."

ends

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Gray may make debut against Lions

Sam Gray, second from the left, make play against Brisbane this weekend. Picture: David Cronin. Source: News Limited

PORT Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart has thrown up rookie Sam Gray as a potential inclusion for this Sunday's game against Brisbane.

The Power are down two small forwards because of injuries to Angus Monfries and Chad Wingard.

Hart said Cameron O'Shea, Aaron Young, Cameron Hitchcock and Gray — who would need to be upgraded from the rookie list — are "definitely in the mix for this week's game".

Gray, a 176cm midfielder who has starred in the SANFL with the Magpies in recent seasons, was selected in the rookie draft last year.

"I think he's acquitted himself magnificently since I've been here," Hart said.

"He's very diminutive there's no doubt about that but he's work ethic, his hunger for the contest — he just seems to have a good little package.

"I've also loved his ability to show real team care and to make sure he's making decisions for the team.

"I think Sam will definitely play a role for us this year."

The Power has a vacancy on its senior list after adding Mason Shaw to the long-term injury list a fortnight ago.

Hart indicated Andrew Moore, Lewis Stevenson and Ben Newton would all return from injury through the SANFL.

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Kangaroos run halts Power

They've been criticised for falling away in tight games, but North Melbourne have bucked the trend to defeat Port Adelaide by 7 points at Etihad Stadium.

Brent Harvey celebrates his match-winning goal. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

LADIES and gentlemen, meet North Melbourne's next generation.

Yes, you had heard a lot about them, but had no doubt been wondering why you haven't seen just as much of them.

After all, this was a youthful group happy to come along for the ride, but when the elders weren't around they tended to fade into the crowd.

All that changed last night against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

It was three quarters of football that had seen the cards fall perfectly for North's batch of much-talked about youngsters to stand up and deliver.

Drew Petrie had been thrashed by Alipate Carlile, Daniel Wells subdued by Kane Cornes and Brent Harvey, who admittedly would rise late, shackled by Matt White.

North Melbourne coach, Brad Scott, says 'while we weren't perfect, our effort was'.

With those three quiet at three-quarter time and heading into a last quarter 10 points down against arguably the best finishers in the competition, Roos fans had a right to fear the worst.

But this time it would be different.

Ben Cunnington was simply brilliant. His 30 disposals - 19 contested - seven tackles, nine clearances and six inside 50s represented everything North Melbourne hoped he would be.

Jarman Impey can't catch Shaun Atley. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Levi Greenwood went from sub last week to four-quarter ball magnet this week, finishing with 34 touches, seven tackles and six clearances.

What about Sam Gibson? He had 33. Then there's Brad McKenzie, whose 15th game finished with 25 disposals and five clearances.

Aaron Mullett was terrific off half-back, ditto Luke McDonald and Shaun Atley - the latter taking the game on with a surging run through the middle in the dying moments.

All may have played better individual games, but the significance of these performances was enormous for them and their club.

In many ways, this was the defining game for North Melbourne. If the Roos "are coming" this year then this 14.13 (97) to 13.12 (90) win might be where it all truly started.

This was a win that snapped North out of what had been a season of mediocrity. Winning ugly, losing pretty, whatever the plan might have been, nothing buoys a club and its connections more than talent being fulfilled under in the heat of battle.

Chad Wingard looks to send Port Adelaide forward. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

North Melbourne trailed by 21 points half way through the third quarter when Chad Wingard kicked a brilliant second goal from close in. But the kids never threw it in, and when Harvey rose to prominence with two last quarter goals and Nick Dal Santo forced his way into the contest, it was a recipe that wouldn't be denied.

Port Adelaide will rue missed chances, particularly in the first half when it dominated inside 50s 30-18 and scoring chances but couldn't capitalise fully.

Angus Monfries, Port's best player up until half-time, went down with a torn hamstring early in the third quarter and had to be subbed off, while Wingard played through the pain after twisting an ankle.

But Port didn't lose this game, North won it.

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Tex’s footy comeback delayed?

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson addresses the press following his teams 131-74 loss to the Sydney Swans.

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker looks on at training. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

GUN Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has had a minor setback in his comeback from a knee reconstruction, reporting hamstring soreness after training on Saturday.

Walker — who the winless Crows desperately need back in their side — could have his comeback delayed by a week because of the soreness.

He was not going to be considered for AFL selection in Sunday's crunch game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium but was expected to be a strong chance to resume in the SANFL the following week.

Now his return from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he sustained against Carlton at the MCG on April 27 might be put back a week.

Adelaide insists Walker hasn't strained his hamstring and had only reported soreness.

Three Crows who played in Saturday's 63-point home defeat to Sydney — midfielders Scott Thompson (corked thigh), Sam Kerridge (poke in eye) and Mitch Grigg (adductor soreness) — face fitness tests before the Saints clash.

But the club expects all three to be available.

Veteran Jason Porplyzia suffered a corked buttock in Adelaide's inaugural State League loss to North Adelaide yesterday and must also pass a fitness test before being considered for selection.

Teenager Matt Crouch, who had 18 disposals on debut against the Swans, described Sunday's clash against the Saints as crucial to the Crows' hopes of making the finals.

Asked if it was time Adelaide made an on-field statement, Crouch said "Yes it is".

"This will be s big week on the track and I think you'll see a better performance from us next week.

"We're a pretty resilient group and we'll fight through this."

Crows forward Eddie Betts flicks the ball over his head. Picture: Mark Brake Source: News Corp Australia

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Porps feels Sanderson’s axe

Out-of-favour forward Jason Porplyzia has been dropped and will play for the Crows reserves on Sunday. Picture: Morne de Klerk. Source: Getty Images

JASON Porplyzia's challenge to retain his place in the Crows attack - against Adelaide's heavy investment in Carlton free agent Eddie Betts - has turned sour.

Porplyzia's form line in the opening two rounds of the AFL premiership season has not lived up to the promise of his encouraging pre-season when Adelaide seemed capable of mixing and matching Porplyzia and Betts.

MORE: SEE ALL THE TEAMS HERE

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson last night cast aside Porplyzia, 29, for tomorrow's sold-out home-opener against Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

He made the predictable five changes in reaction to the 55-point loss to Port Adelaide in Showdown XXXVI at the new Oval.

Porplyzia falls as Sanderson recalls Jared Petrenko to work the small-forwards tandem with Betts.

Hard-edged defender Kyle Hartigan replaces Sam Shaw. Key forward-ruckman Josh Jenkins returns to cover the loss of Shaun McKernan (concussion).

First-year midfielder Matt Crouch gets his first AFL game while replacing his older brother Brad Crouch (broken left leg).

Inexperienced forward Lewis Johnston also was dropped as Sanderson seeks to plug the AFL's last-ranked defence by recalling impressive small defender Rory Laird.

SYDNEY has regained Lewis Roberts-Thomson after losing much-valued Swans, Craig Bird (calf) and Sam Reid (Achilles to injury).

Yet again, there is no Kurt Tippett (knee) to face his former Crows team-mates for the first time as a Swan.

Both the Crows and Swans are searching for their first win after disappointing starts in which Adelaide has lost to Geelong and the Power while Sydney has failed against Greater Western Sydney and Collingwood.

Sanderson returns to the new Oval on Saturday with his team still feeling its way on the long and narrow venue.

But he insists his players must play the "Crows way" - a theme so far best reflected in co-captain Rory Sloane's relentless work to win games.

Sanderson concedes his team did not handle the pressure of Showdown XXXVI - that applied by Port's players, the pro-Power crowd and perhaps the occasion of the Oval's re-opening for football.

"There was the pressure Port put on us - and the pressure we perceived," Sanderson said.

"We, unfortunately, created some of the most basic skill errors under no pressure. It is an area we have to work on - through training and by being exposed to match-day anxiety more often.

"The noise at Adelaide Oval is incredible. On the weekend, it was like a final if not a grand final.

"Doing a media interview on the boundary before the game I could not hear Gerard Healy ask me a question from two metres away.

"So imagine what the players felt."

PORT ADELAIDE on Friday night will confirm its line-up - an unchanged line-up - for its clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Cam Hitchcock, Cam O'Shea and Aaron Young have been added to the 25-man squad.

NORTH MELBOURNE has former West Adelaide defender Joel Tippett in its 25-man squad that will be trimmed to the match 22 this evening.

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Danger will bounce back: Sando

Patrick Dangerfield under wraps from Brad Ebert in the Showdown at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide midfielder Richard Douglas has revealed how he recovered so quickly from a dangerous knock to the groin; the Crows midfielder says the team will be looking to recover from their slow start to the season when they come up against the Swans.

ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson has dismissed concerns over star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield's lack of impact this season and is confident his pride in his performance will lead to another outstanding season.

Dangerfield has been below his best in matches against Geelong and Port Adelaide, having struggled with heavy minding and not being at his explosive best.

MORE: JACOBS READY TO LEAD FROM FRONT

But Sanderson, who installed Dangerfield and fellow midfielder Rory Sloane as stand-in captains for the injured Nathan van Berlo for the start of the season, is confident he will bounce back quickly.

After all the off-field point scoring in the lead-up to Saturdays historic first Showdown at Adelaide Oval it was always going to come down to football and right now Port Adelaide is simply a better side than the Crows.

"He'll be fine,'' Sanderson said after training at Adelaide Oval. "He puts a lot of pressure on himself already.

"I know there's been external pressure on him this week. (But) he's still going to have really fantastic season, I'm sure.

"He's such a proud footballer with so much ability. You won't be able to hold him down for too long.

"Hopefully this week (against Sydney) he comes out and can win us the game. That's the Cinderella story. But we just need Danger to play his role and I'm sure we're going to see a fantastic game from him and for the rest of the season.''

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Hart admits to concussion concerns

Shaun Hart in action for the Brisbane Lions in 2004, the final year of his career. Source: News Limited

BRISBANE premiership hero Shaun Hart has spoken out about his level of concern after suffering multiple headknocks in a decorated career and how it may affect his long-term health.

Hart and wife Linda have been taken aback after hearing the effects of concussions suffered by Carlton champion Greg Williams, who suffers from memory loss, and former NRL star Ian Roberts, who has spoken of brain damage resulting from being knocked out as many as a dozen times in his sport.

HART: POWER IS MORE THAN A FOOTBALL TEAM

Few players copped as many whacks as the courageous little Hart, the 2001 Norm Smith Medallist who now works as the coaching director at Port Adelaide.

One of the worst was when he crashed into teammate Daniel Bradshaw in the preliminary final of 2004, when he ran into Bradshaw's hip and thigh and suffered what doctors described as car-accident type injuries.

It was his last game for Brisbane: in hospital the doctor joked about his helmet holding his head together.

"It was an enormous injury and it ended my career,'' Hart recalled.

Shaun Hart in his new role as Port Adelaide director of coaching. Picture: Simon Cross.

"But I had a lot of little head knocks and my visual acuity decreased as a result. That's why I put it on (the helmet).''

Reports coming out of the US, where NFL players have spoken about how constant knocks to their heads have affected them, along with the fate of Williams and Roberts have concerned Hart.

He is a devout Christian who is strong in his faith, but Hart admits he has some fears over what the future might hold.

"We were watching that (the report about Roberts) the other night, my wife and I, and my wife is really concerned about it,'' Hart said.

"She thinks that it's an enormous issue and there's a chance that guys like myself don't know what the future holds, in terms of when it will onset.

"It is a worrying concern but I think the AFL is doing everything they can.

Coach Ken Hinkley reflects on Port Adelaide's derby win over Adelaide Crows.

"At the risk of criticism they're doing everything they can to make sure that players' health come first and foremost.

"I really like that about the game.''

But as much as the new standards are helping a new generation, Hart, who wore a helmet throughout his junior years, knows he may suffer the consequences from being knocked around later.

HART: KIDS SHOULD WEAR HELMETS PLAYING FOOTY

It is why he thinks football authorities should at least consider mandatory use of helmets for junior players.

"You know that you've had a lot of little headknocks, and then you have the big head knocks like the one with Daniel Bradshaw,'' Hart said.

"What does that do to your brain? I don't know. I don't know when that can affect you and if it will.

"But the reality is that it affects certain people and it could always affect yourself and other people you played with.

"When you see it on the news you go, 'Who are the other people who are experiencing something similar?' You don't know.''

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Why you’d want to play for Kenny

Ken Hinkley delivered an emotional pre-game speak to his players ahead of the historic clash against the Crows.

Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak and coach Ken Hinkley with the Showdown Cup after Saturday's win. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

THERE'S no ranting or raving, the level of his voice doesn't raise like one might imagine a revved-up coach confessing the game being "like a final" but Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley certainly hit the mark.

Or at least that's easy to say in hindsight, given the Power won Saturday's inaugural Adelaide Oval Showdown over the Crows by 55 points .

But thanks to Port Adelaide, Fox Footy was granted access to the Power's rooms before Saturday's clash.

Watch the video above and listen in to Hinkley's pre-match address as a calm Hinkley explains to his leaders the "responsibility" they have not only to each other, but to the packed Adelaide Oval crowd and their fans.

RUCCI: CROWS FANS NEED TO GET OVER IT

He asks his players to be "selfless", saying his task is done, all the while instilling a confidence in them that they are up to the task.

"Really, I'm helpless," the Power coach says.

"Unless you as a group are getting it done for me, I'm probably useless, so you've got a big job I reckon and you shouldn't shy away from it.

"Every one of you should welcome the opportunity, and I reckon you need to lean on each other ... help get each other up."

GALLERY: SHOWDOWN XXXVI

Hinkley remains remarkably cool throughout his address despite acknowledging the significance of the first-ever clash between the two clubs at Adelaide Oval.

"Let's be honest, this is a big game," he says.

"We're big enough in here to handle that heat.

"It's our first game here, it's (a) Showdown ... and it feels like a final.

"That's what it's felt like for me, so I'm not going to hide from the fact that you blokes have actually got to go out there and perform ... but I'm sure you can do it."

Coach Ken Hinkley reflects on Port Adelaide's derby win over Adelaide Crows.

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