Bringing ball to ground key for Port Adelaide in turning close losses into big wins, Tom Rockliff

After two weeks of close losses the Power bounced back with a big win against premier West Coast. Midfielder Tom Rockliff outlines how the club was able to turn its fortunes around.

Ollie Wines celebrates a goal with Willem Drew. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images

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In-form Port Adelaide midfielder Tom Rockliff believes the Power has worked through the issues that led to losses to Brisbane and Richmond and are ready for another Friday night blockbuster.

On top of the agenda had been intercept marks when the ball was in the Power’s attack and both Brisbane and Richmond had picked them off.

But the team most noted for its expertise in that area, the Eagles, were starved of turnover opportunities last Friday with the forwards not only blocking the run of defenders such as Jeremy McGovern but also making sure the ball was brought to ground.

Tom Rockliff handballs in traffic. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Rockliff, a former Brisbane captain, said the key was to make sure nothing came easy to the opposition and to bring the same momentum and pressure into another Friday night match against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval this week.

“We had a plan in place and executed it really well,” Rockliff said. “We obviously got found out last week — we didn’t get the ball to ground as much as we would have liked so that was a strong focus throughout the week.

“And credit to the forwards for executing the plan.

“Paddy (Ryder), Todd Marshall and Brad Ebert were outstanding for us — all the forwards stood up, made a contest and got it to ground.

“And then there was obviously a bit of rain and that suited our game style in getting the ball to ground.”

Rockliff also touched on the club’s quick ball movement — particularly by hand.

Jeremy McGovern and Ollie Wines grapple in the Power’s win at Perth Stadium. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

The Power is playing on again, even though Rockliff conceded that there were times when they overused the ball.

“We feel like we’ve got a style that can win games of footy,” Rockliff said. “Richmond, I felt, took that away from us a little bit last week but we thought we might as well go for it (against West Coast).

“They’re the reigning premiers — what have we got to lose?

“We felt like we’d been in good form but just not able to execute when it mattered.

“It was good that some blokes found some footy as well.

“Ollie had about 35 (disposals) and it was handy for him to find some touch.

“We’ve got a really strong midfield mix at the moment and complement each other — we’ve got different strengths and weaknesses.

“The ability for us to fight it out as a unit, particularly as a midfield group, has been really pleasing.

“Scott (Lycett) was huge for us in his first time coming back (to Perth Stadium).

“He had an outstanding performance for us and gave us first use around the stoppages.”