Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee has explained why coach Ken Hinkley gave the midfielders an almighty spray at half-time of the Power’s 41-point win over Richmond.
The Power jumped from ninth to fifth spot on the ladder with a hard-fought 16.20 (116) to 11.9 (75) win on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hinkley sprays midfielders during big win.
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After a tight initial three quarters, the Power booted four goals to none in the final term.
During the half-time break, coach Hinkley was seen getting stuck into his midfielders.
“Yeah he did, I think he knows what gets the best out of us,” Rozee said.
“We were probably playing OK, but not our best footy.
“He knows that and a few of us need that fire up even if we’re not playing horribly.
“It’s a testament to the playing group to take that the right way and not go into our shells.
When asked specifically what Hinkley was angry about, Rozee said it was a lack of defensive actions.
“Mostly defensive actions to be honest,” said.
“I feel like we’re a pretty natural offensive group and our test this year has been to grow defensively and not have those moments where we switch off.
“He thought that was going to get the best out of us and it did in the second half.”
Port half-back Dan Houston was instrumental in the victory with 25 disposals and Dixon’s scoring was supported by three goals from Mitch Georgiades and two from Willie Rioli.
Captain Connor Rozee (24 touches) also booted two majors, Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines (32 possessions) and ex-skipper Travis Boak (24, one goal) were prominent, and Jordon Sweet ruled the rucks.
The last-placed Tigers were brilliantly served by Daniel Rioli, who gathered 28 disposals and kicked two goals, and Rhyan Mansell slotted three goals.
Stalwart Dion Prestia (24 disposals, one goal), on-baller Jacob Hopper (25) and Jayden Short (23) were also busy but the Tigers remained anchored on the bottom with two wins.
Richmond veteran Prestia kicked the opening goal as the visitors started strongly but failed to cash in on the scoreboard.
The Tigers at one stage had 16 to six inside 50s but a late Willie Rioli goal gave Port, propelled by 21 disposals between ex-captains Wines and Boak, a five-point edge at quarter-time.
The teams then traded goals in the second stanza as the Power gained ascendancy but, like their opponents in the first term, failed to fully convert.
Port kicked 3.6 to 3.3 for the quarter and held an eight-point break at halftime despite the visitors boasting the two leading ball-winners to the break, Daniel Rioli (21 touches) and Prestia (18).
In the third term, Richmond snuck within one point when Rhyan Mansell slotted his third goal with a superb snap from a tight angle.
But the Power rallied with three goals in less than three minutes to create a 20-point advantage with five minutes remaining of the quarter.
The Tigers again rallied with two late goals and a Kamdyn McIntosh strike reduced their deficit to 10 points at three quarter-time.
In the last quarter, Port forward Dixon converted a set-shot early to sap Richmond’s resistance.
– With AAP