Senior coach John Longmire spoke with the media in a Tuesday afternoon press conference (April 4), ahead of a Round 4 clash with Port Adelaide.
The squad will take on the South Australian side at the SCG on Saturday, April 8, at 7:30pm. Read all the key topics surrounding the next match, below.
The Melbourne Demons
“First of all Melbourne played well and going into the game we expected them to. They’ve been a finals top four team for a long time now and we expected them to bounce back after their loss against Brisbane. Their midfield was outstanding. Full credit to them.
“We didn’t play as well as we’d like to and we’ve learnt a few things to come out of that, now we put it into practice. It’s tough, this game, to be consistent every week and we need to make sure our highs and lows are smoothed out a bit.
“Melbourne midfielders are three years on average more mature than us. We need to look at those guys and understand they’re a mature, hardened team... We need to make sure we respond. We’ve taken a step in that direction. Our players are learning all the time.”
On Port Adelaide
“They’re a very talented team – we haven’t been consistent for four quarters against them. That’s our challenge. [Port Adelaide] have some hardened, mature bodies, and we need to make sure we play that level of intensity for four quarters. It’s been lacking over the last couple of years. They’ve got a good record, they play well, high talent, but they also work hard. They’ve been around the mark for a number of years. That’s exciting for us, to play on the SCG against a very good team in Port Adelaide, in front of what we hope is a massive crowd.”
The Round 3 score margin
“There was a couple of things that added to it. They got off to a really good start and finished well. There was a period in the game that we evened it up, got back within six points, then they were able to kick away.
“They were certainly accurate in front of the score board. We try not to live in that space too much – that we kick straight and hope the opposition don’t – we look at other things that we can get better at. Which is the contested ball, pressure around the football that dropped away, and making sure we’re a good running team.”
The AFL rules on dissent
“The AFL have already come out and made it very clear that you can’t say anything because that leaves it up for interpretation for the umpire. We will work on what we can control. 50 metres is a big penalty so don’t do it. After the decision has been made you’ve got to get on with it.”
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