Port Adelaide backs its players to continue to play on instinct against Richmond’s pressure

The Power dropped its first game against Brisbane at the Gabba last weekend but assistant coach Michael Voss says the level of trust in the players remained high.

Xavier Duursma has been one of the Power’s hardest runners this season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

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Port Adelaide has singled independent decision making as a key for the modern footballer as the Power prepares for another level of pressure against Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Voss singled out player initiative, instincts and leadership from the senior players as cornerstones in the Power’s development and rely less on game day instructions.

In plain terms, just go out there and play.

Xavier Duursma (left) and Steven Motlop at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: AAP

And it has become crucial now that the runner can only be sent out after goals.

“Our focus over the pre-season has been to try to get the players as independent as possible out on the field,” Voss said.

“To be able to make calls, lead those decisions, back those decisions in right throughout the whole game.

“The game’s heading that way, where they’re trying to remove the influence of what we can do. So it’s largely player-driven, as it always should be.

“It puts more onus on your leaders and as a collective group to get it done.”

The limited use of the runner had also changed the atmosphere in the coaches box.

It had taken away some of the coaches’ influence on the game and led to a calmer and more reflective place.

“It’s quieter, because when you can’t send the runner out it’s having an impact,” Voss said. “Whatever control we felt we had previously … it’s definitely been taken away now.

“So it’s a lot quieter, a lot of good discussions up there.”

Richmond will be without its entire leadership group after injury and suspension has robbed the Tigers of some star power.

It is the first time in two season they have had so many important players out, but Voss said the Power would still be ready for a hot opposition.

“It doesn’t change our planning,” Voss said. “What we’re going to face is a Richmond jumper that’s been a pretty impressive football club, not just team, for quite a while now.

“Their brand is built on pressure and if we’re not ready for that, to be able to absorb it, then we’ll succumb to it.”

Voss’s call comes as Xavier Duursma was seen running laps and having a light session at training.

It was part of a plan to keep the younger players fresh to help them last throughout the whole season.

“The guys have pretty much had a full load to this point in time,” Voss said. “So it’s as much about managing the load as anything else.

“We’ve started to move into that period when most of those guys will get a rest throughout the year, so we start that process.

“It’s better to be pre-emptive than reactive.

“The ground he’s covering in games has been monumental.

“He’s one of our highest runners in terms of output so he’s taken on a pretty big workload.

“We’re keeping all of those factors in mind and just making sure he’s ready to go.”