Fitness a key factor in Port's demise

Fitness has emerged as key factor in Port Adelaide's slide down the AFL ladder this year. After a review of football operations the club said Thursday a need to improve the fitness program was one of a number of outcomes.

It also found issue with the club's ball movement from defence, and around clearances, and identified the need to restructure its leadership program. Positives included the opportunities given to young players in 2008 and the management of its senior list.

Chief executive Mark Haysman said the club had taken action to address its fitness woes. "Our football department has already moved to address one of our key shortcomings via the appointment of our new head fitness coach Cameron Falloon," Haysman said. "And we will be adding to that appointment soon by finalising the recruitment of
some equally innovative backroom staff with track records of success at other AFL clubs."

Haysman said the results of the review would be immediately factored into the
Power's pre-season program.
"It's imperative we implement the outcomes, ideas, innovations and directions of the
review now to give ourselves the best possible preparation for 2009," he said.
"There is no doubt we made some progress late in season 2008 and the challenge for
us is to harness that and turn the information we have gleaned since into results."
After making the AFL grand final in 2007, Port slipped to 13th on the AFL ladder
this year with just seven wins.