Key points from Port Adelaide’s trial game against Adelaide

Port Adelaide showed in its trial match win over Adelaide how well prepared the players will be when quarter length return to normal this year.

Every Port Adelaide player has been challenged to learn a secondary role “inside out” to help with a longer season, Power assistant coach Brett Montgomery says.

And the Power defensive coach has revealed Port are still working out where new recruit Aliir Aliir fits into its side after a convincing win over fierce rivals Adelaide in a trial game at Alberton.

After being matched by the Crows for the first quarter, and half of the second, the Power kicked away to run out convincing 52-point winners.

Here are our key takeaways from Port Adelaide’s match.

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GAME STYLE

Port Adelaide again relentlessly attacked the corridor like they did in 2020, and the Power’s ball movement was crisp as they were able to create a mass of scoring opportunities.

The Power have flagged they want to use a “squad system” in 2021 with quarter lengths back up, and Montgomery said this involved Port’s players taking on a secondary role to help mix things up.

“We’ve thrown challenges to every player on this list to make sure they have a secondary role and they know it inside out,” he said.

“With the quarters going back to full length again, a 22-game season it is going to be a slog and we are back into the grind again and we need a squad that knows multiple roles.”

Defender Riley Bonner played forward and on the wing, Zak Butters spend a fair bit of time on the ball and Karl Amon was flicked into the middle for centre bounces.

Karl Amon spent time on the inside. Picture: Getty Images

RULES

It took just one minute for the first 50m penalty to be given in the SANFL match for the new man on the mark rule but there wasn’t a glut of infringements that followed – although Montgomery said there were still issues with the new directive.

“The one thing we saw today across the two games was probably too many shots on goals from 50m penalties, which I don’t think was the intention of the new man on the mark rule,” he said.

The new kick-in rule looks to be tailor-made for Port’s Trent McKenzie and Brodie Smith of the Crows with plenty of space allowed from kick-in’s for them to sent a long bomb forward.

WHO’LL DEBUT IN ROUND 1?

Highly rated draftee Lachie Jones played his role well across defence, matching it with both smalls and talls and showing some serious intent to crash some packs.

“He has run out in a team that had eight on the bench … he would be excited by that,” Montgomery said about Jones.

Lachie Jones pushed his case for Round 1. Picture: Getty Images

Miles Bergman didn’t get a taste of AFL football in 2020 but the converted halfback is putting his hand up for selection after looking at home against the bigger bodies.

There are still plenty of bodies in front of the No. 14 pick but Montgomery said he was giving the coaching staff plenty to think about.

“He is a great size and well put together … it will be an interesting selection,” he said.

ONES TO WATCH

Connor Rozee

Kicked two goals and had a couple of moments at centre bounces after flying to Sydney during the week to see a specialist for a new foot issue.

He was limping after a contest with Ned McHenry in the second quarter but was fine for the rest of the match.

Aliir Aliir

Played mainly in the backline but did roam on occasions.

Adds some much-needed height and intercept marking ability to the Power’s defensive stocks, but Montgomery said they were still figuring out where Aliir – who can also play ruck – would fit in the side.

“For someone like Aliir we think he is very different to McKenzie, different to (Tom) Clurey and very different to (Tom) Jonas and if he is down the other end he is a different dynamic as a ruck,” he said.

“These are things we are still trying to work out but we are very excited about what he brings.”

Aliir Aliir battles Darcy Fogarty for the ball. Picture: Getty Images

Willem Drew

Hasn’t played footy for over a year because of injury but Port Adelaide rate the midfielder highly.

Was only behind Travis Boak and Ollie Wines in terms of centre bounce attendance for the Power and showed enough to suggest some of Port’s midfielders from last year could be in for a fight for their spots.

“He hasn’t played footy for well over a year so he starts his journey again,” Montgomery said.

“He has some really strong midfield competition in there but we think he is going to push them, whether in round one or through the year it is just great to see him healthy.”

INJURY WATCH

Todd Marshall collided heavily with Crows captain Rory Sloane in the second quarter and sustained a contusion to his cheek that ended his day early.

Tom Jonas was managed, Robbie Gray is recovering from a split lip but both are expected to be fine for next week’s Community Series match.

Sam Powell-Pepper is recovering from a broken hand.

Originally published as Key points from Port Adelaide’s trial game against Adelaide