Port Adelaide expects new depth at Alberton to carry Power through longest run to September

PORT Adelaide has the longest run to September among all the AFL finals contenders, but the Power is confident it also has the depth and fitness program to cope with this challenge.

Port Adelaide players will have to work through 13 consecutive games to keep their hands up for AFL finals action in September. This is the longest marathon run among all the top-eight contenders. Picture: Kelly Barnes

• AFL Rankings: Crows’ loss more than just a bad day
• Marshall cleared of shoulder damage but return unknown
• Fine line between pleasure, pain and profit in China
• Rockliff: I still need to earn Port’s respect

PORT Adelaide will have the longest string of games to September — 13 matches — among the AFL’s top-eight contenders. But the Power expects increased depth at Alberton and a proven fitness program to avert untimely fatigue.

Port Adelaide returns to AFL action — after having its mid-season bye before any of its top-eight rivals — in Launceston against Hawthorn on Saturday, 14 days after advancing to a 6-3 count by beating Gold Coast in Shanghai, China.

The Power has 13 consecutive home-and-away games this season, one less than last year when Ken Hinkley’s group had a 9-5 record after China. Of these 13 matches, eight are in Adelaide — easing the strain from repetitive travel on the playing squad.

Port Adelaide has a 3-2 count on the restart from the mid-season bye in Hinkley’s time at Alberton since 2013 — including a contentious two-point loss to Geelong at Kardinia Park on the return from Shanghai last season.

Under Hinkley, the Power has qualified for the AFL top-eight finals in each of the two seasons (2014 and last year) that have required managing marathon runs to September.

In 2014, the Power had to work through 14 consecutive games — and managed a 7-7 record and worked the same 22 for three consecutive weeks in the finals, including a strong finish against Hawthorn in the preliminary final at the MCG.

Unlike 2014, the Power would get a bye in early September before the finals — if they qualify for the second consecutive season.

Tom Rockcliff, Robbie Gray and Justin Westhoff at Port training at Alberton Oval. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Midfielder Tom Rockliff, one of the major gains from the October player market who adds to Port Adelaide’s depth, is backing the fitness crew at Alberton to keep the Power from flagging on the long road to September.

“The management of players these days is really good,” Rockliff said. “(Fitness coach Ian McKeown) runs an outstanding program. The medical team monitor us so much.

“The most-important thing is we start well after the bye. We have done a long pre-season — and done all the stuff to make sure we can run out games and finish the season really strong.

“Our second halves (in games) this season have been quite good.”

Port Adelaide reported no injury after the 40-point win against the Suns at Jiangwan Stadium. It is most likely Hinkley will reward the Showdown-winning 22 for their third consecutive game — a theme of stability not seen at Alberton since the 2014 AFL finals series.

To be answered in the two demanding post-bye games — against Hawthorn and at home against AFL premier Richmond — is exactly where Port Adelaide stands in the race.

“We have to continue to improve,” Rockliff said. “We have to play consistent footy in the back half of the season when we have eight games at Adelaide Oval which is good for us.

“It is a good draw. Now we have to build consistency.”

[e-mail]

LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >