Defence is the name of the game for Port Adelaide if they are to remain atop the ladder and contend for a second AFL premiership flag in September.
Despite being a game clear at the top, Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley and players have been critical of their recent performances, particularly defensively.
An unconvincing win over Melbourne, narrow loss to Sydney and a slow start in the victory over the Western Bulldogs in the past month highlighted those concerns.
Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak said the Power were still a long way off producing their best footy.
“It’s probably been a bit patchy over the last few weeks,” he said, reflecting on Port’s form.
“We are certainly not happy with where we are at, at the moment – we’ve still got a fair bit to improve on.
“Once we get our defence right first then the rest of our game flows from there.
“That’s exactly what happened on the weekend (against the Bulldogs). After quarter-time our defence was super.”
Boak suggested it was also crucial Port guard against a slow start at Adelaide Oval on Sunday when they take on cross-town rivals Adelaide in the 37th `Showdown’ meeting between the sides.
Port set the tone for their red-hot season in round two when they thrashed their neighbours by 54 points. The Crows have since struggled, slipping into the bottom half of the ladder.
“There’s probably a fair bit on the line for both sides, we are expecting a massive challenge and we need to make sure we start well,” Boak said.
“We had a pretty poor start against the Bulldogs on the weekend and we need to make sure we play a big four-quarter effort because the Crows’ best is certainly up there with the best sides.
“It’s all about holding the momentum. We’re not always going to have perfect starts. We’re not always going to have perfect last quarters, so we need to make sure we control that momentum and limit their goal scoring when they do get momentum back.”
Midfield dynamo Hamish Hartlett is expected to recover from an ankle injury to face the Crows along with rising star nominee Jarman Impey (general soreness), while former captain Dom Cassisi (knee) will be assessed during the week.
