Port Adelaide recruits Jack Watts, Dom Barry shine on first night of AFLX

Port Adelaide lost both its AFLX matches but there was plenty to like in the form of two of the Power’s off-season recruits.

Jack Watts fends of Mitch Duncan. photo Calum Robertson

Port Adelaide has cast its support behind a continuation of the league’s AFLX format despite leaving the Hindmarsh Stadium tournament winless after matches against Geelong and Fremantle.

Assistant coach Matthew Nicks said there had still been positive lessons to take out of the matches.

COMMENT: LEAGUE ON A WINNER WITH AFLX

It was difficult to compare the game to the traditional format — many tactics became irrelevant in what was largely a transition game — but Nicks was happy to support the event.

“It’s a challenge and our guys will learn a lot from it,” Nicks said. “Even thought they didn’t win a game I thought they played some really good footy.

“From a coaching point of view I haven’t got any issue with our guys getting out there and battling it out.”

Jack Watts, who was handed the captaincy after the late withdrawal of Robbie Gray to injury, was one of the first to catch the eye in the Power’s matches.

He to took strong marks as the ball was moved out of the backline, was quick-thinking with his handballs and had an air of maturity about him.

Jack Watts fends off Mitch Duncan. Picture: Calum Robertson

When he set up Sam Gray for one of the Power’s early goals it was the first indication of how he can become a valuable linkman in the full-sized game.

Riley Bonner is known for his long and elegant kick and didn’t disappoint. He was caught a couple of times by the quick Geelong players but as he settled and became used to the pace he used his kicking from outside the 45m arc — which netted 10 points when accurate — and threatened to dominate the game if he could get enough of the ball.

Another player who would have pleased the Power fans in the crowd was Dom Barry.

Much has been said about his pre-season form and there were passages in which he was a peach to watch.

Not only is he quick as lightning, there is also a natural rhythm to his game: he knows when to bolt and he knows when to slow down and weight up his options.

Dom Barry sends the ball forward. Picture: Calum Robertson

Sturt premiership player Jarrod Lienert, who is on the club’s rookie list, started to stand out when Port was under immense early pressure in its second match, against Fremantle.

He impressed with intercept marks, some daring runs out of the backline and a long bomb from 60m that hit the post and highlighted the amount of scoring opportunities in AFLX -especially when there’s nobody on the last line of defence, which was most of the time.

Dan Houston, who was one of the Power’s most prominent in the second game, said it had challenged the players in thinking on their feet.