Warren Tredrea: It’s time Port Adelaide stood up and delivered in the Showdown
PORT Adelaide is a talented team that is not fulfilling its potential and must return to old-fashioned principles and tactics if it is any chance of defeating rival Adelaide in Saturday’s Showdown.
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PORT Adelaide it’s time for less talk and more action.
After last weekend’s 42-point thrashing at the hands of West Coast, Power coach Ken Hinkley said: “One side was really strong in the contest, one wasn’t.”
Words like these would embarrass a football club, especially one that has prided itself on its never-say-die attitude for over 147 years.
Last weekend’s loss to West Coast was a shocker — lacking effort, discipline and competitiveness.
And the key statistics were a horror story, -40 in contested possession, -4 in clearances and -7 in inside-50s.
Once regarded as a ruthless team that never ever gave up, sadly that’s now not always the case.
This weekend’s opponent, archrival Adelaide, sits an impressive third on the ladder with a 5-2 win/loss ratio, while being severely undermanned for much of the year with a soft tissue injury crisis.
Adelaide, which heads into Showdown 44 as clear favourite, has won the past five clashes by an average of 35 points.
The Crows will once again be super confident, recent history suggests if they bring the heat, Port won’t be able to handle the pressure.
The players have said as much when discussing Port’s performances in the past.
And they’re not alone, others hold the opinion that Port are brilliant when things are going their way, but not always up for the fight when it doesn’t.
Make no mistake, the Power is on notice.
Coach Ken Hinkley isn’t exempt, after being backed in by the club’s board with a huge three-year contract extension after last season’s finals capitulation against the Eagles.
He must find a way to fire up his players so they perform and stay on edge.
The club’s on-field leaders are also under the microscope, too often the heavy lifting is left to too few while others go missing in action.
Talent has never been Port Adelaide’s problem. Attitude and being able to consistently bring effort is.
That’s why earlier in the week I hope Ken instructed his players to bring their mouthguard to training for some good old fashioned one-on-one competitive training.
Port must make a statement at selection tonight after far too many sub-par performers against the Eagles.
Hard nuts Sam Powell Pepper and Tom Rockliff must return but two players isn’t enough, more heads must roll.
Selection must always be the ultimate reward — and it can’t ever be compromised by giving away games to players who don’t reflect your team standards and behaviours.
That’s why Port’s match committee must pick their most competitive 22 players who are willing to go to war against Adelaide.
So far in seven matches in 2018 the Power has won the contested ball statistic only once — that was in round one against Fremantle.
Since then they’ve been smashed at the contest by an average of 13.6 contested possessions per game. And for a team that continually talks about bringing effort — they’re failing to practice what they preach.
Port skipper Travis Boak revealed at Monday’s Showdown press conference that his teammates are “really hungry to turn it around, there’s no doubt about that”.
While most clubs refuse to tag, I believe Port needs to rethink some of their strategies for Showdown 44.
You can’t allow Rory Laird to do as he pleases — so far in 2018 he’s gathered 30 or more disposals in all seven games, an AFL record.
His influence must be quelled and someone must follow him wherever he goes and deny him the space he usually thrives in.
Port’s midfield plans haven’t worked over the past five duels, they’re 0-5. They need to play arm across, accountable one-on-one football where space in the contest is at a minimum.
If that means unsociable football I don’t care. But if Port wants to stand for something in 2018 it must realign its stuttering start to the season with a tough and ruthless Showdown showing.
I’m sick of hearing talk come out of Alberton — I want to see action.
Warren Tredrea is Channel 9 news Sport Presenter, PAFC Premiership Captain and 3AW Football Commentator.
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