Showdown revival delivers critical new belief for “doubting” Port Adelaide players

PORT Adelaide lead ruckman Patrick Ryder expects the doubt that was building in his team to be replaced by a powerful new belief from the remarkable Showdown victory

GRAND DUEL. Port Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder, right, was inspired to play a dominant role in Showdown 44 after feeling the pain of losing the duel with Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs in the previous derby. Picture: David Mariuz

PORT Adelaide has found new power with lead ruckman Patrick Ryder sensing a stronger spirit from the insane Showdown win will clear away damaging doubt that was hitting his team-mates.

“That is massive for our confidence to win - and our belief in our game,” said Ryder of the five-point win against Adelaide that puts the SA-based AFL clubs on equal terms at 5-3 and on the Showdown ledger at 22-22.

Ryder returned to the Power line-up a fortnight ago - after a five-week absence with left Achilles tendinitis - noting much of the pre-season optimism among his team-mates had been wrecked by three damaging losses to Essendon, Geelong and West Coast in the month leading up to Showdown 44 at Adelaide Oval.

“We started the season against Freo up and about, but coming back into the team for the West Coast game there was a little bit of doubt,” Ryder told The Advertiser.

“So this win is exactly what we needed,” he said.

“We can now see what comes from taking the game on.”

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley describes the Showdown victory as “significant” for having the “enormous” power to “set the scene” in the Power’s determination to stay with the competition pacesetters. It also has to live up to expectations of a top-four finish for the first time since 2007.

The new belief at Alberton has to stand up when Port Adelaide is expected to win rather than challenged to respond to poor performances - or the pain of Showdown defeats.

“We got a good kick up the backside during the week - and fair enough too,” said Ryder of the fall-out from the “soft” performance that led to a 42-point loss to West Coast in Perth.

“But there is now belief in this group after looking down and out.

“This win builds confidence and belief in the game plan.”

Ryder showed strong leadership in the dramatic final minute of the derby by putting himself in the ruck contests after Adelaide wiped out a 17-point deficit to lead by one point with 42 seconds to play.

“I just went back in the middle knowing it is my job to have an influence and not just as a ruckman,” Ryder said.

“I had to put pressure on their midfielders as well after the ruck contest,” said Ryder, who did follow up his ruck work to create the Crows turnover on Hugh Greenwood that sent the ball forward to be finished with Steven Motlop’s match-winning goal with 21 seconds to play.

“I am in a position where I can do something about how a game plays out, and I want to contribute.”

Ryder, playing in his fifth Showdown, was fired-up not only by his frustration with Port Adelaide’s long losing streak to Adelaide but also his losses to Crows lead ruckman Sam Jacobs.

“Especially the last Showdown, that was disappointing for myself,” said Ryder, referring to Jacobs’ 42 hit-outs that delivered the Crow his third Showdown Medal. “I really went out there to not only play my role for the team, but also be very physical.

“I feel the boys play better when they see us bigger blokes taking it to the opposition.”

Port Adelaide still is vulnerable to its long-noted skill errors - a point Ryder notes is hurting the Power when it plays hard to win the contest but slips up in moving the ball to space.

“In tight games, the team that is cleaner with the ball normally wins,” Ryder said. “In the contest (won by 20 by Power) we went very well. But just outside the initial contest, Adelaide was a lot cleaner - and quicker to react.

“The key for us was cleaning up that sloppiness - and (thereby) putting more pressure on the opposition.”