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Port brings in “insurance” for elimination clash

Port Adelaide have summoned Jarman Impey as insurance if things go “haywire” against West Coast in Saturday night’s AFL elimination final.

Sep 08, 2017, updated Sep 08, 2017
Jarman Impey

Jarman Impey

Impey returns from a two-match absence, replacing rookie Aidyn Johnson for the Adelaide Oval fixture.

“There’s a little bit more security in Jars – if something goes haywire in other areas, he gives us a little bit more cover,” Power assistant coach Matthew Nicks told reporters on Friday.

“A bit more flexibility … it was important we had that. The last thing we want is for something to go wrong in another area and not have cover.”

West Coast kept the faith in their 22 players who snuck into the finals with a last-gap win over Adelaide.

The Eagles’ team is the most experienced in the AFL finals with most games played, with Port the least experienced.

“We can’t make up for the lack of finals games we have played,” said Nicks ahead of Port’s return to the play-offs after a two-year absence.

“It will be about us really, the way we want to play.

“We know what the Eagles are going to bring. They’re a high-quality side and super experienced.

“Guys like (Sam) Mitchell, you can’t just put that into a player, the experience that he has.

“But we hope that our 22 are going to work together and get the job done.”

Port best defender Tom Jonas is serving the last match of his two-game suspension, which leaves key Eagle attackers Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling looming large.

But Nicks said the Power – ranked second in the league for scores conceded – had a defence built on system, not individuals.

“You don’t get to where we are without having a solid defence,” he said.

“It’s not only our back six too, I emphasise that …we work together. If we turn the ball over, we have 18 players that are involved in that defensive action.

“We have been quite solid in that area.”

– AAP

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