Rockliff: How Port can find their Power – Neds AFL Unpopular Opinions

Rockliff: How Port can find their Power – Neds AFL Unpopular Opinions

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Former Brisbane and Port Adelaide 206 gamer and co-host of Neds AFL Unpopular Opinions, Tom Rockliff has weighed in on what the Power needs to do to rebound in their cut-throat semi-final against the up-and-about Hawthorn on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.

Like many pundits, Rockliff was shellshocked at Port’s performance in week one of the finals against Geelong “I didn’t see an 84-point drumming coming,” highlighting Port’s weaknesses were exposed by the Cats.

“Port Adelaide’s inability to adapt when teams pressure them is glaring.”

According to Rockliff, the Power’s success this season has been heavily reliant on their ability to control the game through uncontested marks, a stat that has been a standout of their winning performances during the home and away season.

“When they take over 90 uncontested marks throughout the season, they’re like 10-1 or something like that. And when they don’t, they don’t win very often.”

Looking forward to Friday night, Rockliff believes the key for Port is to stick to their game plan, focusing on uncontested marks while also being harder in contests.

“They’ve just got to stick to their guns and play their brand of footy,” he stressed.

Rockliff noted that Hawthorn will try to exploit Port Adelaide’s perceived sluggishness.

“If Geelong made them look slow last week, imagine what Hawthorn are going to try and do to them this week? They’re going to try and run them off their feet.”

When it comes to taming the Hawks, Rockliff highlighted the importance of building uncontested marks to make Hawthorn defend for long periods.

“If you build your uncontested marks, make them defend for long periods of time, when they do turn over the footy, they don’t have the energy to slingshot you the other way,” he explained.

He also suggested that throwing the magnets around the board and making positional changes, such as moving Connor Rozee to halfback, could help Port get the game played on their own terms.

Rockliff also weighed in on the future of his old coach at Port, Ken Hinkley who is under immense pressure after the Power’s disappointing loss – their fourth straight finals loss in recent years, Rockliff acknowledged the potential consequences if Port Adelaide is eliminated in straight sets.

“There’s definitely pressure on Ken. If they go out in straight sets, I think there will be conversations about his future,” he said.

Hinkley, who has been with Port Adelaide since 2013, has faced increasing scrutiny over his ability to guide the club to premiership success.

Rockliff emphasized that while Hinkley has been a steadying influence over the years, the expectations at Port Adelaide are higher than just making the finals.

“Ken’s done a great job, but if you’re not winning finals and contending for premierships, that’s when the questions start,” he added.

The Power are the $2.35 underdogs heading into Friday night with the Hawks $1.60 favourites in the Neds market.

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