NewsBite

Port coach Matthew Lokan focused on an SANFL flag after beating minor premiers Glenelg

Are we headed for the SANFL grand final Showdown? All Port Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan cares about is that Port will be there there and that the standard of footy remains high.

SANFL 2019 qualifying final: Adelaide v Port

Port Adelaide Magpies coach Matthew Lokan is focused on an SANFL flag and not the negative noise surrounding the prospect of clash with the Crows in the Sunday week’s Grand Final.

Port defeated minor premiers Glenelg by four points at Adelaide Oval on Sunday booking their place in the grand final on September 22 while Adelaide belted Norwood by 62 points.

“Too many people are worried about the negatives,’’ Lokan said on SEN SA Breakfast.

“The AFL sides playing in the SANFL and all that rubbish, if you actually go along and watch the contest it was fantastic, really good finals footy and I’d challenge any state league to be as strong as that.

Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Adelaide's Heath Younie and Matthew Wright with Port Adelaide Cameron Sutcliffe and Matthew Lokan who could be headed for a showdown in the SANFL Grand Final. Picture Sarah Reed
Adelaide's Heath Younie and Matthew Wright with Port Adelaide Cameron Sutcliffe and Matthew Lokan who could be headed for a showdown in the SANFL Grand Final. Picture Sarah Reed

“We had four sides who are really quality sides and some real high quality football at the moment should bring for a high standard of football over the next couple of week,’’ he said.

Lokan said while many were focused on the negative aspect he said the quality of SANFL football was at its highest.

“I’ve been pretty strong with my comments.

“You kind of get sick of the way people talk about our football club and out place in the SANFL.

“I know how committed our boys are to playing in the SANFL at the moment.

“Anyone that sees our side and the way that they play sees how much our boys love playing for each other and love playing for the Port Adelaide Football Club, we enjoy doing our job

“We’ve had a really successful season coming off only four wins last year and we’ve got one big game to go,’’ he said.

Lokan said he expected Port pair Jack Trengove and ruckman Pete Ladhams to play a big part in the outcome of tonight’s Magarey Medal.

“Obviously Jack Trengove had a fantastic start to the season,’’ Lokan added.

“And Pete Ladhams has had a really consistent year,’’ he said.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/port-coach-matthew-lokan-focused-on-an-sanfl-flag-after-beating-minor-premiers-glenelg/news-story/2dee216e946e6298cbe1376a5f15238b