27th Jun 2012
  
Preview: Port Adelaide v West Adelaide
By Daniela Abbracciavento
Port Adelaide is seeking revenge ahead of its clash with West Adelaide on Saturday at Alberton Oval.
Saturday’s game will be the second time the Magpies play the Bloods this season, after previously facing them at City Mazda Stadium in Round 7.
Last time these two sides met, the Bloods ran out winners by 35 points and the black and white will be looking to prove they are capable of beating West this time round.
Despite sitting ninth on the ladder, Port Adelaide is determined to get back on the winners list this weekend.
Port has a tough task ahead, with West Adelaide coming off a narrow one-point loss to league leaders Norwood, and will be eager to maintain their spot in the top three.
Senior Coach Tony Bamford believes his charges have the ability to beat the Bloods, but they must take their chances and command the play from the first bounce.
“We’d like to get away with a good start and make sure we kick efficiently for goal when we get a chance to do it,” said Bamford.
“I’d like to see us kick a bit more accurately for goal – we had a great start last week but we weren’t able to maintain any scoreboard pressure and in the end that really cost us.”
Famous for their ability under pressure, the Magpies have had great final quarters this year - fighting back against West Adelaide during round seven and outscoring the Eagles by three goals last week.
The home side will however be looking toward a four-quarter performance and to sustain intensity for the whole game.
“Last time we played West Adelaide we were pretty ordinary for three quarters and played well in the last quarter, so obviously a focus for us would be now to try and spring four quality quarters together if we are a chance to beat them,” said Bamford.
Bamford said the experience and knowledge gained from their previous encounter with West Adelaide will give them the edge and they must not be complacent with their efforts but rather play with hunger and a desire to win.
“It [last time we played] taught us that we can’t just roll up and expect to play without preparing well - we were well beaten at half time.
“We would like to think we are better prepared to play against the style West Adelaide play.
“Over and above that we have to bring the required work rate and intensity to be a good side in this competition,” he said.
Bamford is still convinced that Port’s best footy is yet to come, but says the team just need a confidence boost to lift their performance.
“A lot of it has to do with confidence – self confidence and also confidence in our teammates,” he said.
“We have proven so far this year that when we are up and about our football is pretty attacking and we can compete against the best in the competition.
“We haven’t been able to do that for long enough periods during the game, so getting some consistency in our game style is the main focus.”
The first bounce will be at 2:10pm at Alberton Oval on Saturday, with reserves starting at 11:25am.
Tickets available at the gate, $14 for adults, $8 for concession and children under the age of 18 admitted free.
Port Adelaide’s team will be announced on Thursday.
League Team
F: Gray, Wilson, Clayton
HF: Heath, Thurgood, harder
C: Biacsi, Summerton, Johncock
HB: Dolling, Beard, Slattery
B: Mercer, Raikiwasa, Scanlon
R: Meiklejohn, Young, Kirkwood
Int: Cockshell, Watt, Brain, McKenzie, Hoskin
In: Mercer, McKenzie, Hoskin
Out: Rose
Reserves
Ah Chee, Barnes, Carr, DePrinse, Grove, Haren, Heffernan, Hoskin, Keeley, Lees, Madden, Nyskohus, Sharrad, J. Solly, C. Solly, Watt, L. Wilson, A. Wilson, Robson, Stanley, Lemmens, Sawford, Reynolds, Davidson.
Under 18
Tiller, Halkias, Hawkins, Young, O'Neill, McLachlan, Williams, Haarsma, Johnson, Deeley-Godfrey, Merrett, Hamilton, Ramsey, McInerney, Baker, Reed, Wright, McIntyre, Corcoran, Kelly, Barns, Kelsh, Sandercock.
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