“We’re not going to play finals”: Trengove
Port Adelaide ruckman Jackson Trengove has delivered a blunt assessment of his club’s season after the Power’s demoralising loss to Sydney.
Jackson Trengove takes on Sam Naismith during Port's loss to the Swans. Photo: David Moir, AAP.
Port’s hopes of scraping through to the finals suffered a near-fatal blow when they slumped to a 67-point loss to the Swans at the SCG on Saturday.
Trengove struggled to make an impact in the wet conditions but was hardly alone in a side with too few contributors.
Asked whether it was important for the 10th-placed Power to finish the year with more wins than losses, Trengove said the final ledger would provide little consolation.
“It’s not going to be a winning season if we don’t play finals – which we’re not going to,” he said yesterday.
“We know it’s not working at the moment. It’s no secret; we’re not going to play finals this year, unless something goes right… we’re disappointed with what we’ve dished up.”
The Power’s likely failure to make the finals for a second year in a row has prompted some critics to call for an overhaul of their list.
But like star onballer Ollie Wines, Trengove believes the team is strong enough to find their way back to finals contention without sweeping changes.
Port could be bolstered for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at Adelaide Oval by the return of ruckman Matthew Lobbe, who looks to have recovered well from a long-term knee injury.
Trengove said Lobbe would relish the opportunity to take on Max Gawn after being dominated by the Demons big man in a pre-season game.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Trengove said.
“Lobbes would be keen to not only get one back on Max but to get back in the side and play some good footy.
“[Gawn’s] obviously a ripping player. Massive size, very hard… he’s in excellent form and very hard to stop.”
The 197cm Trengove has frequently come up against much larger opponents since being shifted from the backline after Lobbe succumbed to injury and Paddy Ryder was suspended for the year.
Admitting the full-time ruck job had taken a toll, Trengove said he would aim to improve his conditioning over the pre-season.
“It’d be nice with a bit of help at some stage because it does get pretty wearing,” he said.
“These blokes are massive units in the ruck.
“It’s something that I’m going to have work on.”
-AAP
