TonyK
CibbuanoWilliams concerned about finals
May 24th 2008 22:43
PORT ADELAIDE coach Mark Williams has admitted it will be "very, very tough" for his side to make the finals this year.
Yesterday's 11-point loss to Sydney at AAMI Stadium has left Port languishing in 12th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-6 win-loss record.
The loss was made worse with forward Brett Ebert, who starred with six goals, carried off with an ankle injury in the final term. He is unlikely to play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval next Sunday.
Last year's grand finalists may need to win nine or 10 of its remaining 13 games to make the finals. After Fremantle, Port plays Carlton at home, Geelong (Skilled Stadium), Richmond (home), Western Bulldogs (Darwin), North Melbourne (home), Adelaide (home), Fremantle (home), St Kilda (Telstra Dome), Carlton (Telstra Dome), Collingwood (home), Melbourne (home) and North Melbourne (MCG).
Williams also defended some of the club's younger players, dismissing suggestions Port was struggling because several young stars who had played huge role in the Power reaching last year's grand final were struggling to take the next step.
"When you think they just automatically improve, that's not the case with young players," he said.
"You get inconsistencies, you get spikes and you get troughs but we believe in our players and continually give them the opportunity to develop and improve and succeed."
Yesterday's 11-point loss to Sydney at AAMI Stadium has left Port languishing in 12th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-6 win-loss record.
The loss was made worse with forward Brett Ebert, who starred with six goals, carried off with an ankle injury in the final term. He is unlikely to play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval next Sunday.
Last year's grand finalists may need to win nine or 10 of its remaining 13 games to make the finals. After Fremantle, Port plays Carlton at home, Geelong (Skilled Stadium), Richmond (home), Western Bulldogs (Darwin), North Melbourne (home), Adelaide (home), Fremantle (home), St Kilda (Telstra Dome), Carlton (Telstra Dome), Collingwood (home), Melbourne (home) and North Melbourne (MCG).
Williams also defended some of the club's younger players, dismissing suggestions Port was struggling because several young stars who had played huge role in the Power reaching last year's grand final were struggling to take the next step.
"When you think they just automatically improve, that's not the case with young players," he said.
"You get inconsistencies, you get spikes and you get troughs but we believe in our players and continually give them the opportunity to develop and improve and succeed."
| 54 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
