Brayden Maynard’s problem is famous, and accepted.
Smarting from Carlton’s 50-point belting final week, Port Adelaide are decided to return rapidly to their A-game within the Saturday night time residence blockbuster towards Collingwood.
The Magpies are prime and Port second, and this will probably be a preview of coming finals points of interest.
Maynard actually was relishing the conflict when he spoke instantly after Collingwood thrashed Fremantle final weekend, warning the Power “better bring their A-game” and noting “we are sitting on top for a reason”.
Port coach Ken Hinkley – who little question has made certain his gamers are conscious of those feedback – publicly agreed wholeheartedly.
“We’re playing the best team in the competition, by their admission … they’ve said that themselves, publicly,” Hinkley advised reporters on Friday.
“July’s a good time to be ranked one.”
The Maynard feedback had been introduced up once more a couple of minutes later.
“They’re very clear on their description of themselves, Collingwood, and they rightly own that description,” Hinkley stated pointedly.
Likewise, Hinkley has been clear within the wake of the Carlton loss that their vaunted strain went lacking final weekend at Marvel Stadium.
It will probably be a transparent focus towards the Magpies.
“Carlton applied enormous pressure to us last week and we didn’t stand up for the first time in 14 weeks. That’s fact,” Hinkley stated.
“Fourteen weeks. It’s probably fair at this stage to judge it as an anomaly.”
Star onballer Zac Butters was damage towards the Blues and Port initially feared he had a groin harm.
But Hinkley is adamant Butters will probably be match for the Adelaide Oval conflict.
“Zac basically sprained his hip, more than anything. It wasn’t an adductor injury, which we thought it may have been after the game,” he stated.
“We’re really optimistic around Zac being at his best.”
Another wide selection name was captain Tom Jonas, dropped once more after he struggled in defence towards Carlton in what was his first senior sport in almost two months.
Hinkley stated it was extra a mirrored image of teammates reminiscent of Lachie Jones and Miles Bergman than Jonas’ kind.
“He’s no different to the position he was in before he played last week. He’ll continue to play well at the (SANFL) Magpies … keep yourself available for us,” Hinkley stated.
“Drop-off is a really harsh word. I’ve been more surprised at the development of people in front of him now. I wouldn’t say it’s a big drop-off from Tom.
“There’s all the time a time in your profession if you sit again and replicate on the place you are at, what you need to do and what you need to obtain subsequent.
“Tom will go through that at the right stage. It’s not now – we’re not in a retirement press conference for Tom.”
Inevitably, Hinkley was requested about how Port may counter Nick Daicos, the Brownlow Medal favorite.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has speculated Willem Drew will go to Daicos, which Hinkley dismissed.
‘”Fly’ (McRae) did that last time. He’s enjoying his time as a coach. So good on him – we wish them all the best, we just hope we beat them,” Hinkley stated.
The Pies walloped Port by 71 factors in spherical two, earlier than the Power had the club-record successful streak of 13 video games that Carlton ended.
“Our players will rise to the opportunity they have in front of them, and that is to play in a big game – one v two,” Hinkley stated.
“We’re looking forward to that.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
