AFL legend Mark Ricciuto says getting structure wrong cost Port Adelaide in elimination final
AFL great Mark Ricciuto reveals the reasons he believes Port Adelaide lost their heartbreaking elimination final to West Coast.
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AFL legend Mark Ricciuto says Port Adelaide got its structure wrong as the fallout from the Power’s elimination final loss to West Coast places renewed scrutiny on Alberton.
Outspoken Port chairman David Koch has again lashed player performance in the wake of finals failure, while Eagles veteran Sam Mitchell has denied spitting at Sam Gray during the third term on Saturday night.
However, the Power has come under fire from 2003 Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto for its decision to overlook off-contract utility Jackson Trengove which exposed an undersized backline against Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Drew Petrie.
“I think they got it wrong at selection and was surprised, they look undermanned down back,” Ricciuto said on Triple M.
“The first quarter cost them dearly. Hamish Hartlett didn’t work for them, it was a risk and I just imagine in their selection meeting there would have been people for and against it. Hamish doesn’t stand on tall players very often and got exposed early in the contest.
“You had three key forwards and two key defenders which meant Hamish had to stand Darling who was on fire early. They started Westhoff behind the ball which I can’t remember happening.
“They could have played Jackson Trengove who has played there most of his career.”
Darling got off the leash initially with two of three first quarter goals in the mismatch against Hartlett before being closed down by Dougal Howard. Drew Petrie slipped away to boot first and fourth quarter goals before spearhead Josh Kennedy booted extra-time majors despite being well held by Tom Clurey.
“They moved Dougal Howard on to Jack Darling and he did a fantastic job then Drew Petrie played really well because they had no one to go on him,” noted Ricciuto, with Port trailing by 20 points at the first change.
Koch unloaded at a post final function, saying players who didn’t aspire to premierships and obey coach Ken Hinkley’s instructions in “big moments” would be culled
“We don’t want players who are living their dream just by playing AFL footy. We want players who want to win a premiership,” Koch said.
“If they’re not prepared to win a premiership for this club, we basically don’t want them. Let us know and we’ll trade them.”
Ricciuto said Koch was speaking honestly but believed Port’s playing group “tried their guts out”.
“I found it strange he would say that but you take out of it that they won’t tolerate anything but the best for the football club,” Ricciuto said.
Mitchell has come under fire from Port stalwart Kane Cornes for appearing to spit at Sam Gray.
Four-time premiership great Mitchell dismissed any suggestion he spat at the Port small forward.
“The West Coast Eagles and midfielder Sam Mitchell are extremely disappointed about media reports suggesting that the decorated veteran spat at or in the direction of Port Adelaide forward Sam Gray in the elimination final on Saturday night,” a West Coast spokesman said.
“Both the club and Sam strongly refute any such suggestion or allegation.”
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