Port's odd way to win leaves coach satisfied
For Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, this win was different.
Usually when the Power triumph, they're led to victory by a vaunted midfield.
But their 25-point home win against Melbourne on Sunday was powered by two key position players.
Forward Mitch Georgiades kicked 7.4 and key defender Esava Ratugolea took 13 marks - career-best returns for both.
"It's not typically we talk about bookends of the ground, a full forward and a full back, being as dominant as they were," Hinkley said after Port's 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win.
"We have typically survived around the midfield group - everyone talks around them."
Port's on-ball brigade was still good: Skipper Connor Rozee, in defence and spurts in the midfield, collected a match-high 32 disposals; Jason Horne-Francis had 29 touches; vice-captain Zak Butters gathered 27.
But it was Georgiades, who demolished dual All Australian backman Steven May, and Ratugolea who were the difference.
"Mitch kicked 7.4 and might not have been best on ground," Hinkley said,
"It was really pleasing for Esava, particularly, to play that way.
"He has played a really strong year. You can see him grow with confidence.
"And then for Mitch to do what he did on a high quality opponent ... that's a big number in the AFL; 7.4 is a really big number now.
"It was a different way for us to win when we were strong at both ends of the ground."
Hinkley described Ratugolea, who arrived at Port at the end of 2023 after six years at Geelong, as "a little bit of a doubter".
"He's the bloke who wants to do everything right by the team, he's such a carer," Hinkley said.
"You can see when he occasionally makes a mistake, that he feels that a bit too much - he's just got to let them go.
"He's learning to do that much better. So I was just really pleased for him to be that dominant."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
‘Kidding ourselves': Debate erupts over AFL's plan to revive State of Origin
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The AFL is in talks to revive State of Origin, but there are fears the proposed showdown would only be an 'exhibition game'. As the NRL's State of Origin heads to a decider following Queensland's Game 2 win in Perth, it appears increasingly likely the AFL will bring back a State of Origin game as soon as next year. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said earlier this year: 'I can't rule it in and I can't rule it out, but it will certainly be a conversation I'd like to have with the players and the clubs, 'There seems to be a bit of a groundswell for it.' It has now emerged that the WA government is in talks with the AFL to hold a State of Origin game in Perth during pre-season in the first week of February in 2026. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY WA deputy premier and sports minister Rita Saffioti said talks were in the early stages but the AFL is 'very keen' on the idea. 'It's not a done deal,' Saffioti said on Friday. 'But I know the AFL was very keen, and we're very keen. 'Everyone is very excited about having a WA State of Origin game in the AFL, there's some good discussions happening at the moment.' The game between the Fremantle Dockers and the Indigenous All Stars in February this year was considered a major success, and the AFL is considering holding a State of Origin match in a similar as soon as next season. But not everyone is a fan of the idea. Brian Taylor pointed out the hot conditions in Perth in February and noted team selection would be based on reputation instead of form if the match is held in pre-season. Taylor, who played for Victoria in a 1986 State of Origin game, said on Triple M: 'What are we trying to do here with State of Origin football, playing it in February? Do you know how hot it is in Perth in Feb? Dustin Martin (centre) was one of the big names to play for Victoria in the 2020 game against the All Stars. 'How many players are in form on the 6th of February? How are you picking the team? On the year before? 'It's about current form, it's about players playing well, like the All Australian — to achieve the status of getting selected in the side. 'I think this game is not going to work if it's in Feb. 'We currently have three byes currently in our season. Let's put one of those byes aside for a State of Origin weekend when the players have reached top form, halfway though or two thirds of the way through (a season).' NRL players earn $30,000 for each State of Origin earn match, and Taylor said a financial incentive may be required to get AFL players invested in the concept as a genuine competitive game. 'Let's give the players all of the gate, so a player could get $10,000 to $20,000 each per game,' Taylor said. 'Then they'll absolutely want to play.' He added: 'It has to be played mid-season, it has to be picked on form. Players are barely started their pre-season in the first week of Feb. 'Are we kidding ourselves? Are we trying to make this work?' Victoria's Stephen Silvagni (right) celebrates winning the State of Origin match in 1996. Brian Taylor wants State of Origin played mid-season. Picture: Channel 7/Supplied Leigh Montagna said the likelihood is any State of Origin clash would be an 'exhibition game' in the mould of the Victoria vs All Stars game in 2020, held to raise funds for bushfire relief. 'It's different, it's an exhibition game,' Montagna said on Triple M. 'You're probably still thinking of State of Origin in the 80s and 90s when it was South Australia vs Victoria and they were playing for keeps. Now it's more of an exhibition game. 'I'd love to see (Christian) Petracca in the same forward line as Toby Greene and Paddy Dangerfield and the Victorians play together. And I'm sure the other states would like to see their players play in their state jersey. 'It's just no longer going to be what it was like in the old days. It's an exhibition. You pick them (the teams) on reputation.' Taylor replied: 'Why do we need an exhibition game of our own game in our own country? People see 20 games a year. 'It can't be (held) before they've even completed their pre-season. What a load of nonsense.' The Indigenous All Stars game against Fremantle was a big success. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) The Victorian team after winning the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief game in 2020. Photo: Michael Klein The last State of Origin match was between Victoria and South Australia in 1999, and it remains to be seen what state or amalgamation of states would take on Victoria if the concept is revived. 'We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state,' WA deputy premier Rita Saffioti added. 'I know many of the players are actually excited, particularly those based over east, are very keen to play for their state, so I think there's a huge push from the players. 'Pre-season is a good time to do it, as opposed to in-season ... the clubs are already playing pre-season games,' Saffioti said. 'And we saw the Indigenous All Stars, we had some incredible players out there ... it makes a bit of sense to do it during February.' Originally published as 'Kidding ourselves': Debate erupts over AFL's plan to revive State of Origin
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
AFL live: Carlton vs North Melbourne, Port Adelaide vs Sydney, Collingwood vs St Kilda — scores, stats and commentary
Carlton plays North Melbourne at the MCG, with the Blues seeking a third win in a row to keep their narrow chances of a top-eight spot alive. Later, Port Adelaide will host the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, before tonight, the final game of the day sees ladder leaders Collingwood take on St Kilda at Docklands. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Don't pin hopes on comeback Swans, cautions coach
Sydney coach Dean Cox doesn't expect miracles from his returning big guns. And he also doesn't want his Swans to pin hopes of a late-season revival on the comebacks of some top talent for Saturday's away clash against Port Adelaide. Dual All Australian Errol Gulden (ankle) will play his first game since last year's grand final, while Tom Papley, absent since round three, Joel Amartey and Matt Roberts also return. "One thing you don't want to rely on is getting certain players back to turn your season around," Cox told reporters in Adelaide. "They are important players for our football club. "But we have got to make sure that we're building a system and a way we play so when they do come back, they just add. "Time will tell how quickly they dive back into it, but they have worked extremely hard through their rehab process." But the inclusions have Port Adelaide wary ahead of the Adelaide Oval fixture. "On paper they look really good," Power assistant coach Tyson Goldsack told reporters. "We don't know at what level they can perform with their first game back, say Gulden and Papley in particular, Amartey has missed a chunk of footy. "They're really good players, and if they all have a day they're going to be hard to stop. "But at the same time we're in pretty good form, so we will take on all comers." The Power (11th, six wins, seven losses) are two wins outside the top eight ahead of hosting 13th-placed Sydney. "Us and Sydney, we have got a mountain of work to do in the back half of the year," Goldsack said. "But our players are up for the fight." Port lost Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines and key defender Aliir Aliir to knee injuries, with Lachie Jones among those recalled. Midfielder Jason Horne-Francis was selected despite being on light duties after copping a knock to his right shoulder in last week's win against Melbourne. "He has had a lean week. He got some treatment that should see him play OK with it," Goldsack said. "I don't think it is a big risk, it's just pain management." Sydney coach Dean Cox doesn't expect miracles from his returning big guns. And he also doesn't want his Swans to pin hopes of a late-season revival on the comebacks of some top talent for Saturday's away clash against Port Adelaide. Dual All Australian Errol Gulden (ankle) will play his first game since last year's grand final, while Tom Papley, absent since round three, Joel Amartey and Matt Roberts also return. "One thing you don't want to rely on is getting certain players back to turn your season around," Cox told reporters in Adelaide. "They are important players for our football club. "But we have got to make sure that we're building a system and a way we play so when they do come back, they just add. "Time will tell how quickly they dive back into it, but they have worked extremely hard through their rehab process." But the inclusions have Port Adelaide wary ahead of the Adelaide Oval fixture. "On paper they look really good," Power assistant coach Tyson Goldsack told reporters. "We don't know at what level they can perform with their first game back, say Gulden and Papley in particular, Amartey has missed a chunk of footy. "They're really good players, and if they all have a day they're going to be hard to stop. "But at the same time we're in pretty good form, so we will take on all comers." The Power (11th, six wins, seven losses) are two wins outside the top eight ahead of hosting 13th-placed Sydney. "Us and Sydney, we have got a mountain of work to do in the back half of the year," Goldsack said. "But our players are up for the fight." Port lost Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines and key defender Aliir Aliir to knee injuries, with Lachie Jones among those recalled. Midfielder Jason Horne-Francis was selected despite being on light duties after copping a knock to his right shoulder in last week's win against Melbourne. "He has had a lean week. He got some treatment that should see him play OK with it," Goldsack said. "I don't think it is a big risk, it's just pain management." Sydney coach Dean Cox doesn't expect miracles from his returning big guns. And he also doesn't want his Swans to pin hopes of a late-season revival on the comebacks of some top talent for Saturday's away clash against Port Adelaide. Dual All Australian Errol Gulden (ankle) will play his first game since last year's grand final, while Tom Papley, absent since round three, Joel Amartey and Matt Roberts also return. "One thing you don't want to rely on is getting certain players back to turn your season around," Cox told reporters in Adelaide. "They are important players for our football club. "But we have got to make sure that we're building a system and a way we play so when they do come back, they just add. "Time will tell how quickly they dive back into it, but they have worked extremely hard through their rehab process." But the inclusions have Port Adelaide wary ahead of the Adelaide Oval fixture. "On paper they look really good," Power assistant coach Tyson Goldsack told reporters. "We don't know at what level they can perform with their first game back, say Gulden and Papley in particular, Amartey has missed a chunk of footy. "They're really good players, and if they all have a day they're going to be hard to stop. "But at the same time we're in pretty good form, so we will take on all comers." The Power (11th, six wins, seven losses) are two wins outside the top eight ahead of hosting 13th-placed Sydney. "Us and Sydney, we have got a mountain of work to do in the back half of the year," Goldsack said. "But our players are up for the fight." Port lost Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines and key defender Aliir Aliir to knee injuries, with Lachie Jones among those recalled. Midfielder Jason Horne-Francis was selected despite being on light duties after copping a knock to his right shoulder in last week's win against Melbourne. "He has had a lean week. He got some treatment that should see him play OK with it," Goldsack said. "I don't think it is a big risk, it's just pain management."
