Port's Primus wants competitive effort - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Port's Primus wants competitive effort

Steve Larkin 20/08/2011 12:59:10 PM Comments (0)

After consecutive record losses, Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus has a simple ambition for Sunday's AFL match against the Western Bulldogs.

"Just give us two hours of competitive football, we'll be happy," Primus said.

Port's 165-point thrashing by Hawthorn last Saturday was their heaviest loss, eclipsing the 138-point defeat to Collingwood the week prior.

Port, anchored in last place with just two wins for the season, is headed for the club's first wooden spoon.

But Primus wants his players to forget everything, except playing for the pride of their club.

"We are looking for a team for the next three weeks that plays for the footy club," he said of Port's final three matches.

"We have all got our issues going on in our lives.

"But our footy club has been dealt some pretty big blows the last couple of weeks.

"We need to do something to stand for the club - not for each other, not for our supporters and all that stuff - but for the actual football club.

"We have got to do that Sunday and hopefully the team we have picked can go out and play in that kind of style.

"And whether that gives us a win or a loss, it's more the manner we go about playing."

Primus dumped triple best and fairest Kane Cornes in a move casting more doubt on his future at the club.

They also discarded utility Matthew Broadbent while defender Nick Salter was unable to be considered because of a calf injury.

Enigmatic forward Daniel Motlop returns for his first match since falling out of favour after round 13.

"His form hasn't been outstanding ... but he gets an opportunity to show that he can still play at the level," Primus said of Motlop.

The Power also summoned tall forward Daniel Stewart and tough backman Tom Logan to confront a Bulldogs outfit stung by the mid-week dumping of coach Rodney Eade.

Former assistant Paul Williams will be caretaker coach for the `Dogs' remaining three matches.

Williams has givenAFL debuts to Ayce Cordy and Jason Tutt, while summoning former Sydney utility Patrick Veszpremi for his match for the Bulldogs.

Williams also signalled his intent to apply for the fulltime coaching job at the Bulldogs, declaring he not interested in the vacant Adelaide or Melbourne coaching positions.

"It's probably the best work experience anyone can get, so I'm very indebted to the club for giving me the opportunity," Williams said of his interim appointment.

"I know what you need to do for success and what you have to sacrifice and I think I've got a great knowledge base in terms of that."

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