Port assistant coach Nathan Bassett says it was a playing group with points to prove that dusted Demons

Nathan Bassett says Port Adelaide’s change-room was a cauldron of emotion before the first bounce against Melbourne last Saturday. Plus the latest on Ollie Wines and Port's rough-housing rookies.

Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts pressures Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo during the round one AFL match at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Picture: by Michael Dodge/Getty.

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Nathan Bassett says Port Adelaide’s change-room was a cauldron of emotion bubbling with ‘points to prove’ before the first bounce against Melbourne last Saturday.

From skippers new and old in Tom Jonas to and Travis Boak there was no shortage of inspiration.

Boak was playing his first game in seven years not as skipper while it was Jonas’ debut with captain’s the armband.

Jack Watts was rebounding from a pre-season marked by controversy. Karl Amon attempted to quit the club last year only to excel on return in the season opener against the Demons.

Connor Rozee, Zac Butters, Xavier Duursma and Willem Drew debuted in style while West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett and Ryan Burton were starting afresh with the Power.

Tom Rockliff mauled Melbourne’s midfield in a manner that eluded the former Brisbane skipper last season.

Here are five things we learned from the press conference.

Jack Watts wraps up Angus Brayshaw on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein.

1. Points to prove

“There were a lot of people playing their first game at the club, six first gamers, it was pretty emotional before the game to see guys playing their first game for the club and people that had moved clubs,” said Bassett.

“There were a lot of guys who were playing for the team but had points to prove.”

2. Rough rookies

Having Port’s rookies join in the rough house tactics against Max Gawn was central to the psychological impact and success in nullifying the competition’s best ruckman.

“The roughing up of a player is often done quite poorly or half heatedly. The commitment of the playing group to stick to the task and reduce Max Gawn to the player he ended being and reduce his hit-outs to the lowest since round one 2017,” said Bassett.

“I have been lucky enough to work with the first gamers, they are good characters and people who you can one-day build a team around. They were clear on what they wanted to do and had the confidence.”

3. Moving Watts

Port assistant coach Bassett was moved by Jack Watts’ post game interview with Fox Sports Cam Mooney

“His interview post game was touching. He has a lot of good qualities and we hoping we can see as many of them as possible on a regular basis,” said Bassett.

4. Port alert

Port Adelaide is already on alert not to squander opening round success as has happened in previous seasons.

“The challenge is doing things regularly and we have had good away wins early the last three years, wins against Sydney the last two seasons at the SCG. We need to keep building on how we play footy,” Bassett said.

Co-captain Ollie Wines could front for Port against Carlton on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

5. Wines fine

Port co-captain Ollie Wines could front Carlton on Saturday after recovering from a shoulder injury.

“I imagine he would be a chance, whether he feels confident tackling. He is super fit and has been able to do their running,” said Bassett.