As a former Port Adelaide participant now in opposition teaching ranks, Troy Chaplin takes shut curiosity within the Power.
And the Melbourne assistant coach reckons Port boss Ken Hinkley is winding again the clock a decade.
“If you’re looking at the way they’re playing this year, they’re trying to move the ball a lot quicker, looking for the corridor,” Chaplin stated forward of Melbourne’s Friday evening fixture towards the Power at Adelaide Oval.
“Probably it’s a little bit more circa 2013/14 when Kenny took over.
“They’re taking part in with much more freedom and attempting to get it in there and provides their forwards some alternatives … they’ve in all probability wound again the clock a bit bit and so they’re taking part in an thrilling model.”
Statistics support Chaplin’s view – while his second-placed Demons are the league’s highest-scorers, the Power are fifth-best.
But Hinkley will be without his tall attacking tandem of Todd Marshall (concussion) and Charlie Dixon (thigh) on Friday night.
The Power coach summoned ruckman Scott Lycett, who was dropped a month ago, to replace Brynn Teakle, while Jackon Mead has been axed with utility Darcy Byrne-Jones returning after illness.
The Demons recalled tall forward Tom McDonald for his first AFL game since round five and halfback Christian Salem with Harrison Petty (foot) and Tom Sparrow (suspension) out.
Port called on Lycett for ruck duels against Melbourne’s Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy.
“It’s an space that we hope to take advantage of, clearly we’ve got acquired two genuinely gifted rucks who’re an enormous benefit for us,” Chaplin stated.
“But on the identical time you’ve got to respect the opposite guys … we are going to be sure that our mids are switched on and provides us some actual ascendancy in there, however it’s no no straightforward stroll within the park particularly right here (in Adelaide).
“They (Port) have won six in a row now so we know that we’re coming into a pretty hostile environment.
“The crowd positively get into it right here and so they may cause some momentum for Port Adelaide so we have to be sure that we include our greatest sport.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
