Richmond assistant coach Ben Rutten provides ‘Roar Vision’ with a snapshot of the main strengths of Port Adelaide’s game ahead of this Saturday night’s big clash at the Adelaide Oval.
Key match-up: Rance v Dixon
“Obviously everyone likes to look at the big marks and his (Dixon’s) goals, but he’s doing a power of work just to bring the ball to ground, and he’s pretty agile on the deck as well . . . It’s hard to compete against him. He’s 200cm and 105 kilos, so to dominate guys like that, it’s near-on impossible . . . ‘Rancey’ always gets the best forwards and it’s going to be a pivotal match-up.”
Powerful midfield
“The addition of Powell-Pepper has allowed Boak and Robbie Gray to play a bit more forward. And Ebert’s come from spending a bit more time on the wing last year, to playing ‘inside’. So they’ve got some big bodies through the midfield.”
Ryder’s ruck supremacy
“He’s a very good ruckman, so it’s going to be a big job for ‘Nank’ (Toby Nankervis) . . . They have been getting first use from Ryder.”
Gray’s class in attack
“He’s a fantastic player . . . On the back of five goals last week, one-on-one, he’s as good a small forward as there is. With the addition of Powell-Pepper, he’s been able to spend a bit more time forward, and Boak as well, through half-forward . . . We’ve got a couple of guys that can go on him (Gray), whether it be ‘Grimesy’ (Dylan Grimes), or even Rancey, at times, , I would have thought.”
Forward-half domination
“The time in forward half is generally on the back of stoppage and getting the ball in your forward half, especially at the Adelaide Oval, which is a bit of a skinnier ground. Once you do get it in your forward line, it’s a little bit easier to defend than at the MCG because of the width. They’re playing that game pretty well.”
In summary
“They’ve got a well-balanced team and good, quality players all over the field. So it’s going to be a good opportunity for us.”
