Sunrise hosts go head to head
This article first appeared on afl.com.au
By James Dampney
Port Adelaide’s five-game losing streak has done nothing to shake the confidence in the long-term direction the club is taking, according to president David Koch.
Koch, who is helping to drive a total rebuild of the Power, couldn’t help taking some pot shots at this week’s opponent Greater Western Sydney for the help it is receiving from the AFL.
“We’re not one of the rich glamour clubs like GWS with deep pockets,” Koch told a press gathering at the Sydney Opera House ahead of Sunday’s game at ŠKODA Stadium.
“We’re working class, the blue collar club of the League, and we’ll give it our best shot.
“We don’t have the bottomless finances of the AFL’s support of GWS, but we’ll certainly do our best under the circumstances.”
Koch insisted, however, he is a fervent supporter of the AFL’s expansion.
“GWS is so needed for the game,” he added.
“You do things for the good of the game and GWS has to be supported to help grow the game.”
Port Adelaide made a stunning start to 2013, winning its first five games, but has fallen back into the pack with five straight defeats capped by a nine-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Darwin before its bye.
A game at ŠKODA Stadium against GWS will hardly bring any pleasant memories either as the Power attempt to get back on track.
A 34-point loss to the GIANTS in round 19 last year was just about the club’s lowest ebb, leading to the dismissal of former coach Matthew Primus and ultimately a complete overhaul of the franchise.
Koch called the winning streak to start the year an “overachievement”, but has no doubt the club is on the right track.
“Hopefully for the foreseeable future,” he said when asked how long he intended to be Port president.
“You’re never in a job forever, you’ve got to deliver results on the field and off the field, and we’re pretty confident with the way we’re going.
“It’s a two or three-year build and I’m pretty happy with the progress.
“If anyone had said at the bye we’d be five-and-five, when everyone was predicting us to get the wooden spoon and win one or two games if we’re lucky, we’re pretty happy.”
The winless GIANTS are typically rank outsiders heading into games, but bookmakers are giving them a fighting chance on Sunday.
GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy says his team has been buoyed by its competitive showing against Geelong last weekend.
“We’ve just finished selections and we think we’ve got the side to beat you,” Sheedy told Koch.
“We played very well ourselves on the weekend, you guys have been asleep on a holiday getting sunburnt up in Darwin pottering around.
“You’ve lost five on the trot. Wow. This could be your sixth. It’s hard to turn form around.
“The boys got an enormous amount of confidence out of getting off to a good start against a top side in Geelong and we’ll be at our best.”