Former AFL coach Ross Lyon has taken aim at the “competency levels” of Port Adelaide‘s defenders, saying “it’s just way too easy” and they need to “stiffen up” ahead of a clash with the reigning premier.
The pointed comments of the former St Kilda and Fremantle coach follow Port Adelaide’s winless start to the season over three rounds, in which it fell to Brisbane, Hawthorn and arch-rival Adelaide.
Port Adelaide will on Thursday night open round four in a match against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.
Prolific intercept defender Aliir Aliir hasn’t played since round one due to an ankle injury, but that didn’t stop Lyon from criticising the ills of the Power’s defence.
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“If you’re the midfielders and the forwards you’re saying, ‘well, we’re doing our job, we’re putting the pressure on, we’re getting the ball in there’. They’re scoring reasonably well… so, the defence and the back six need to lift,” Lyon said on Nine’s Footy Classified as match vision rolled through.
“We know Aliir’s been out, that big role off players, (Tom) Jonas is a little bit undersized. But, maybe, (Dan) Houston, Jones (Darcy Byrne-Jones and Lachie Jones) – they need to adjust their game: less run-off, more support for your tall defenders… they’re just letting them run and launch at the ball.”
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Port Adelaide won the inside-50 count in rounds one, two and three, and its pressure factor is ranked second in the league.
But Ken Hinkley‘s men are conceding 98 points per game and, statistically, have the second-worst defence in the competition this season.
“There are some ground-level players that can help,” Lyon said of the Power defenders.
“… they need to improve their competency levels.
“You can’t go to ground in a contest like that.
“They need to stiffen up their defence.
“At some point you need to be able to defend as a back six.
“… it’s just way too easy.”
Port Adelaide qualified for a preliminary final in 2020 and 2021 but lost on both occasions, to Richmond and the Western Bulldogs respectively.
Port Adelaide hasn’t won a flag since 2004, when Mark Williams was coach and it defeated Brisbane.
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