Port Adelaide’s defence is the X-factor that can drive improvement, says Tom Jonas

SENIOR Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas has singled out the backline as a key development area and where much of the Power’s gains can be made this season.

Tom Jonas grapples with the Western Bulldogs in 2017. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP

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SENIOR Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas has singled out the backline as a key development area and where much of the Power’s gains can be made this season.

Two areas that have commanded much attention during the Power’s summer months have been the delivery into the backline and the ball movement out of the forward line.

But the club’s heavy recruiting — six experienced players came from other clubs — only former Gold Coast Sun is expected to spend any meaningful time in the defence.

It has left the backline, under the leadership of former All Australian Crow Nathan Bassett, will have to rely on internal improvement.

But Jonas said the attitude — and the fact that most of the defenders have their best football in front of them — makes it a reasonable expectation.

“Hopefully we’ll hold our own and perform really strongly, like we did last year,” Jonas said. “Like you said it’s a young group but it’s a group that’s really eager to learn they’re really good listeners.

“We’ve been working on our ball movement from the back half a little bit, just to reduce the turnovers and just giving us the best chance to get it out of our defence.”

Jasper Pittard and Hamish Hartlett chat with Ken Hinkley and Nathan Bassett at Port training. Picture Sarah Reed

The backs will be immediately tested by Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe on Saturday. While he is one of the best midfielders in the game, he can also do much damage when he has spells in attack.

Jonas predicted the job on Fyfe would be shared by the Power’s defenders.

“We don’t like to have massive match-ups,” Jonas said. “Whoever’s deep or high — we like to stay in those positions.

“So you could see a number of people getting a look at Fyfe when he comes down.”