ID :
115403
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 09:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/115403
The shortlink copeid
Port prepare to limit Lions' danger men
(AAP) - Port Adelaide know they have to ramp up their defensive efforts against Brisbane at home on Saturday if they are to keep their unbeaten AFL record intact.
West Coast took the ball inside-50m a commanding 60 times to Port's 37 at Subiaco
Oval last round, but the Eagles' profligacy in front of goal allowed the visitors to
grab a second straight win.
If a similar stat occurs against Brisbane spearheads Jonathan Brown and Brendan
Fevola, Port can expect a massacre.
The Power have that sobering reality to face after the dramatic three-point defeat
of the Eagles as they work to freshen up tired legs in time for the Lions.
Port defender Troy Chaplin, who did plenty of mopping up in the backlines during his
first game of the year after a suspension, said it was inevitable Brown and Fevola
would kick goals.
The question is how many.
"You can't keep champions down for four quarters, so we've got to try our best to
curb their influence as much as possible," he said.
"They're going to kick goals because that's what they're paid to do.
"It's just a matter of how many. If we can get away with two or three goals for each
player then I think that's a win."
Chaplin said the vast difference in attacking entries for Port and the Eagles was
largely due to the ball being turned over on the way out of defence, which must be
rectified against Brisbane.
"It wasn't fun being a backman down there I can tell you," he said.
"If you look at the inside 50m entries there was one kick (in the third quarter)
where it was lace out and that was at the first bounce.
"The rest of the time they were pressured and defenders were able to get the ball to
ground and take it out, the problem was that we were turning it over and it was
coming back in.
"We've looked at that and how we can change that, because you don't want to rebound
the ball to the opposition because it just comes straight back in and that's why the
numbers were like that."
Port could be strengthened by the return of Robbie Gray for Saturday's AFL home
match against Brisbane.
Gray has yet to play in the premiership season because of a hamstring injury
sustained in the Power's final pre-season match.
But the 22-year-old is a strong chance to return against the Lions at AAMI Stadium,
provided fitness staff can be confident he will keep up with the pace.
"I missed two or three weeks with suspension and on the weekend I was blowing
early," said Chaplin.
"It doesn't matter how fit you are, you can do all the running pre-season but that
first game it still buggers you.
"Football fitness is a totally different thing and that's why teams are going to
take a more cautious approach."
Gifted forward Daniel Motlop may now miss up to five more matches after his
hamstring soreness was belatedly discovered to be a tear.
West Coast took the ball inside-50m a commanding 60 times to Port's 37 at Subiaco
Oval last round, but the Eagles' profligacy in front of goal allowed the visitors to
grab a second straight win.
If a similar stat occurs against Brisbane spearheads Jonathan Brown and Brendan
Fevola, Port can expect a massacre.
The Power have that sobering reality to face after the dramatic three-point defeat
of the Eagles as they work to freshen up tired legs in time for the Lions.
Port defender Troy Chaplin, who did plenty of mopping up in the backlines during his
first game of the year after a suspension, said it was inevitable Brown and Fevola
would kick goals.
The question is how many.
"You can't keep champions down for four quarters, so we've got to try our best to
curb their influence as much as possible," he said.
"They're going to kick goals because that's what they're paid to do.
"It's just a matter of how many. If we can get away with two or three goals for each
player then I think that's a win."
Chaplin said the vast difference in attacking entries for Port and the Eagles was
largely due to the ball being turned over on the way out of defence, which must be
rectified against Brisbane.
"It wasn't fun being a backman down there I can tell you," he said.
"If you look at the inside 50m entries there was one kick (in the third quarter)
where it was lace out and that was at the first bounce.
"The rest of the time they were pressured and defenders were able to get the ball to
ground and take it out, the problem was that we were turning it over and it was
coming back in.
"We've looked at that and how we can change that, because you don't want to rebound
the ball to the opposition because it just comes straight back in and that's why the
numbers were like that."
Port could be strengthened by the return of Robbie Gray for Saturday's AFL home
match against Brisbane.
Gray has yet to play in the premiership season because of a hamstring injury
sustained in the Power's final pre-season match.
But the 22-year-old is a strong chance to return against the Lions at AAMI Stadium,
provided fitness staff can be confident he will keep up with the pace.
"I missed two or three weeks with suspension and on the weekend I was blowing
early," said Chaplin.
"It doesn't matter how fit you are, you can do all the running pre-season but that
first game it still buggers you.
"Football fitness is a totally different thing and that's why teams are going to
take a more cautious approach."
Gifted forward Daniel Motlop may now miss up to five more matches after his
hamstring soreness was belatedly discovered to be a tear.
