blackdiamond
19 May 2003, 20:07
courtesy of www.afl.com.au
Port's two Friday-night challenges
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Port Adelaide, a winner of five of its past six matches this season, tackles Essendon at Telstra Dome on Friday night with all the confidence that comes from having downed the Bombers in their past three encounters for a 5-5 record overall.
The teams took it in turns to win their first four matches from 1997-99, then Essendon won three in a row in 2000-2001 before Port won by seven points at AAMI Stadium in round 17 of 2001, by 59 points at Telstra Dome in round 11 last season and by 24 points at AAMI Stadium in the first semi-final last September.
This is the first of Port’s two Friday-night matches this season. The second follows immediately – against Collingwood at AAMI Stadium next week.
The two nationally telecast “showcase” games – against the AFL’s two biggest crowd-pullers – are a deserved reward for the Power’s consistency over the past two seasons.
Port utility Stuart Cochrane was understating the matter on Monday when he referred to Friday night’s battle with Essendon as “a good challenge”.
“Essendon played well last week against Hawthorn and we’re looking forward to getting over there and playing well at Telstra Dome,” he said. “Hopefully we can get another win on the board and keep the wins coming.
“The Bombers will probably get a couple (of players) back this week. They’re in good form so it’s going to be a good challenge for us … and we think we can get over the line.”
Cochrane, 24, said he was “getting by OK” in his first season with Port after 50 AFL appearances with the Kangaroos over the past five years.
“The players have been very good to Byron (Pickett) and me, helping us to slot in nicely,” he said. “They’ve done everything we could have asked and more. They’ve been great. They’re a great bunch of fellows. We’ve just enjoyed the first eight or nine weeks (of this home-and-away season).
“Byron found a bit of form and got three goals (in the Power’s 54-point win against the Roos last Saturday). Everyone was on his back but he bounced back really well and played a super game. And it was good to play against the old side, too.
“I was probably a bit nervous at the start but once I got out there things fell into place and it was just the same as any other game – (except) there was probably just a bit more trash talk out on the field, I suppose.
“We were disappointed about (losing) the week before against Melbourne and to come back and to run the game out so well was really positive.”
Port's two Friday-night challenges
http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/article/093111ad.jpg
Port Adelaide, a winner of five of its past six matches this season, tackles Essendon at Telstra Dome on Friday night with all the confidence that comes from having downed the Bombers in their past three encounters for a 5-5 record overall.
The teams took it in turns to win their first four matches from 1997-99, then Essendon won three in a row in 2000-2001 before Port won by seven points at AAMI Stadium in round 17 of 2001, by 59 points at Telstra Dome in round 11 last season and by 24 points at AAMI Stadium in the first semi-final last September.
This is the first of Port’s two Friday-night matches this season. The second follows immediately – against Collingwood at AAMI Stadium next week.
The two nationally telecast “showcase” games – against the AFL’s two biggest crowd-pullers – are a deserved reward for the Power’s consistency over the past two seasons.
Port utility Stuart Cochrane was understating the matter on Monday when he referred to Friday night’s battle with Essendon as “a good challenge”.
“Essendon played well last week against Hawthorn and we’re looking forward to getting over there and playing well at Telstra Dome,” he said. “Hopefully we can get another win on the board and keep the wins coming.
“The Bombers will probably get a couple (of players) back this week. They’re in good form so it’s going to be a good challenge for us … and we think we can get over the line.”
Cochrane, 24, said he was “getting by OK” in his first season with Port after 50 AFL appearances with the Kangaroos over the past five years.
“The players have been very good to Byron (Pickett) and me, helping us to slot in nicely,” he said. “They’ve done everything we could have asked and more. They’ve been great. They’re a great bunch of fellows. We’ve just enjoyed the first eight or nine weeks (of this home-and-away season).
“Byron found a bit of form and got three goals (in the Power’s 54-point win against the Roos last Saturday). Everyone was on his back but he bounced back really well and played a super game. And it was good to play against the old side, too.
“I was probably a bit nervous at the start but once I got out there things fell into place and it was just the same as any other game – (except) there was probably just a bit more trash talk out on the field, I suppose.
“We were disappointed about (losing) the week before against Melbourne and to come back and to run the game out so well was really positive.”