Power need to regain form: coach - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Power need to regain form: coach

By Daniel Brettig 11/04/2009 12:01:54 PM Comments (0)

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams says his side must return to their winning ways against AFL strugglers Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

In victory, there will be few genuine answers to questions about Port's season, as the Demons remain a team that, while improved on 2008, are not expected to be a contender of any sort this year.

In defeat, there would be even less for the Power to take from the day, other than the jolting realisation that a club with problems both off the field (finances) and on it (lack of consistent pressure, suspect game plan) will struggle to bounce back into the finals a year after slipping from second to 13th.

Despite all that, Port's players will surely take the field smarting from their 50-point reverse at the hands of West Coast and be keen to make amends.

"No doubt (I expect a reaction), we played pretty good for quite a period of time in the pre-season into round one and last week was nothing like how we wanted to play," said Port coach Mark Williams.

"Come up with whatever reason you like but this is the only opportunity to show what we can do again and get back to winning ways, so we're looking for a real reaction."

Against the Eagles, a quartet of milestones did little to add motivation to Port's 22, so this week there has been less talk about Daniel Motlop's 100th game than his role as an outspoken member of the leadership group - advocating far greater defensive pressure from teammates.

Williams, though, noted that Motlop's achievement would have received far greater exposure had he been playing at a Collingwood or Carlton.

Port's bean counters do not expect much of an attendance, given their Easter Sunday lunchtime timeslot.

Williams acknowledged the club would be grateful for however many supporters turned out.

"We'd love to think they could come along and enjoy the day with us, it's an opportunity to really show how much they care for the club," he said.

"We understand it won't be full but both sides will be having a real crack."

Melbourne have added a quirk to the contest by including former Crows back-up ruckman John Meesen to their squad, a talented player who has struggled to find the urgency required of a modern tall.

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