Facing AFL reserves teams on Friday nights extra-tough says South coach Brad Gotch

SOUTH Adelaide coach Brad Gotch says the club may need to review whether it plays against AFL reserves teams on Friday nights because it is disadvantaged in its preparation.

SOUTH Adelaide coach Brad Gotch says the club may need to review whether it plays against AFL reserves teams on Friday nights because it is disadvantaged in its preparation.

Gotch stressed he was not making excuses for his side’s 66 point loss to a Port Adelaide Magpies side which included 18 AFL-listed played last Friday at Noarlunga and acknowledged his side was comprehensively outplayed.

But he said Friday night football was challenging physically for his players, some of whom had worked a full day in physical jobs as tradesmen or labourers.

Port’s team of largely full-time athletes had the full day to prepare.

“I don’t think Friday night footy is ideal against the AFL teams,’’ Gotch said.

“All of our players were studying or working all day and it can be pretty tough to get yourself up for a game of footy.

“Some of our guys work in physical jobs.

“Their guys being full-time footballers obviously have the whole day to prepare.

“It’s something we’ll have to look at in terms of the way we prepare during the week the next time.”

South, a preliminary finalist in 2014, stayed in the contest for much of the first half but wasn’t able to go with a rampant Port side.

The Magpies finished the contest with 60 inside-50s to South’s 23, which illustrated their dominance.

A host of Port players put their hands up to break into the struggling Power side and Magpies coach Garry Hocking singled out Brendon AhChee as his standout.

“He has just decided that he’s got to work hard and put the head down and bum up,’’ Hocking said.

“I thought tonight his around the footy was great.

“He’s an exciting player that can go forward and play taller and assist up there.

“But it was his attacking on the footy that really shone out and that’s what we’ve been trying to get him to do.”

AhChee is in his third season on the Power list and is yet to play a senior match.

He had 23 disposals and kicked two goals against South.