Internal Trial (Family Day)

[Mark]

Im going who else will be there.

[Violetta]

We have cricket on all day! Couldn't go last year either for the same reason, but the kids sports have to come first.

[Violetta]

Oh and we heard from our footy club today that registration is this weekend as well. We still have six weeks of district cricket left and they are talking footy already. I think the kids will be training every night soon the way it's going.

[nicski]

I'll hopefully be there ;D

But I hafta work at 10pm...useless info for anyone who wants to feel sorry for me

[paralowiepower]

I am going after I play cricket, same with the Sturt match. hopefully will get there early in the second half for that one.
Got my tickets for the wiz cup today

[Mark]

Would like to see some feedback from families who went today

[koulagirl22]

KOULA PLAYED WELL!!

*sorry for shouting but i'm sooooo happy!!!*

[Mark]

Yes showed a lot of improvent
Just hope he stays injury free & gets another chance.

[Pete]

Port's youngsters shine
8:52:47 PM Sat 8 February, 2003
Alan Shiell
afl.com.au


The quality and depth of Port Adelaide’s list were evident again throughout a lively practice match savoured by a crowd of about 6000 at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

Several young players grabbed the opportunity to impress – and they had to do it quickly in a trial played over only two 20-minute halves in warm conditions.

Midfielder Steven Salopek, 17, from Dandenong Ranges, was especially prominent early as he confirmed the class that won him All-Australian under-18 selection for Victoria last year and led to Port taking him gratefully with its first draft pick (No. 6 overall).

And former West Australian Domenic Cassisi, 20, who played six AFL matches as a midfielder last season, continued on from his exceptional pre-season fitness work to be one of the most outstanding performers.


Port coach Mark Williams said of the hard-running workout: “I was really pleased with the way the players approached the game, give that we’d been in Port Lincoln the previous four days.

“It was very positive. I thought the skills and the execution of the game plan were pretty good.

“It (the ball) moved pretty well. We’ve just spent a bit of time analysing each of them, and I thought all of them had some positives, which was pretty good.

“There weren’t too many who would have walked away distraught or disappointed with what they did in the game.”

Of Salopek, Williams said: “I thought he showed some nice classy touches and finished off with a nice goal. That was good.

“Without any doubt he’ll play some games this year. It will be a question of how quickly he plays.”

Another Victorian and All-Australian under-18 from last year, Oakleigh Charges defender Stephen Gilham, Port’s second pick in the draft (No. 16 overall), also did some good things, while not as advanced physically as Salopek.

“He’s a wonderful reader of the play and he’s a smart user of the ball,” Williams said. “And I suppose having (Gavin) Wanganeen next to you always helps as well.”

Of Cassisi, Williams said: “He’s done everything right in the pre-season as far as the running goes. So he couldn’t wait.

“He was asking me in Port Lincoln who he was going to be playing on in (in this internal trial), so he gave some indication of his preparedness for the game.”

Williams’ comments on other youngsters who put in pleasing efforts included:

Midfielder Paul Koulouriotis, 20 – “He’s very much aware of where his position is in the side and on the list this year.

“For the first time since he’s been here, he’s had an uninterrupted pre-season so that’s been fantastic for him.

“He probably was a little bit slack with his disposals today, but apart from that he was great. One of those marks running back with the pack coming was outstanding. It gave him and the players a lot of confidence to what we’d hope he’d be when we picked him three years ago.”

Onballer Chris Hall, 20 – “Yes, he showed a bit of class. He probably should have nailed two goals but, again, he missed a whole lot with injury last year.

“He’s worked extremely hard on getting his body right and his weight right, and all those sort of things which come with young players some times. Hopefully he can bound forward from now on.”

Ruckmen Cain Ackland, 20, and Dean Brogan, 24 – “Ackland probably won the first half, Brogan the second half. Both of them showed they could play, and we always thought they could.”

Williams made a special mention of Port’s two rookie-listed players – midfielder Scott Borlace, 21, and tall forward Joel Patfull, 18, both from SANFL club Norwood.

“We look very carefully when we select the side and the list,” Williams said. “I thought Scott Borlace did a particularly good job in his first real chance to be among the big boys, and also Joel Patfull – we were really encouraged by a couple of little movements he had.

“These young guys will be sleeping tonight really with the vision of playing AFL footy – and lots of AFL footy – this year. That all works for us but, at the same time, some of the seasoned players didn’t play.”

[Violetta]

Power's young guns in top start
09feb03
Sunday Mail

COACH Mark Williams has declared Port Adelaide's first practice match of the season a success after watching his side in an impressive 40-minute internal trial at Alberton Oval yesterday.

Port ran 32 players in the game, including recruits Byron Pickett and Stuart Cochrane, and Williams said most could be satisfied with their first hit out of the season.

"I was really pleased with the way they approached the game," he said.

"It was very positive with the skills and the execution of the game plan was pretty good."

The main positives came from the Power's young players.

Draftee Steven Salopek announced he was ready to make an immediate transition into the AFL, wingman Domenic Cassisi showed the benefits of a strong pre-season with a hard-running game and Port's other youngsters all showed some good signs.

"Cassisi asked who he was playing on in the internal trial when we were in Port Lincoln, so he gave you that indication of his preparedness for the game," Williams said.

Salopek, surprisingly falling in last year's draft to the Power at No 6 after being touted as a top-three pick for much of the season, played an impressive first half in the midfield.

He showed an ability to win and use the ball and looked to have the physical maturity to compete against AFL players, prompting Williams to label him a certain starter with the Power this year.

"Without any doubt he'll play, it's a question of how quickly," Williams said.

Boom recruit Pickett's first move in Port colours was not so auspicious.

He started on the half forward line and, after winning his first possession midway through the term, was caught holding the ball by Kane Cornes.

Pickett later moved into the centre square and began to win the football.

"I thought it was only a glimpse of what we'll see when the season comes," Williams said.

Key forwards Chad Cornes and Warren Tredrea were focal points and Jared Poulton chipped in with three goals.

Cain Ackland and Dean Brogan went against each other in the ruck for the game, vying for the second ruck position behind captain Matthew Primus.

Both had their moments but neither took a firm grasp of that position.

Williams had wanted a close contest and certainly got that with Paul Koulouriotis' running shot on the siren drifting for a point when a goal would have won the contest for his black side.

The yellow team won 8.4 (52) to 7.8 (50) after two 20-minutes halves.

[wilburfan1521]

It was great to see Timmy Ginevar doing some hosting yesterday - good on the club for giving him a go!

Bec xxx

[Violetta]

Timmy is very good in hosting and media work. I've always been impressed with him when he does the SANFL games on ABC. He's very professional.

[wilburfan1521]

Yeah he's great! He's the only ABC bloke I like, and when he used to do his thing at The Planet, I always thought he was pretty cool! (He may or may not still work there...I just don't go there anymore...)

Bec xxx

[cuttysark1]

ive heard a few neative comments from a few ppl since saturday but i for one thought the family day was great..
there was a huge turn out, bigger than last year, and the weather was good..it was ace to see the lads after the summer.
and, i got to work the scoreboard..how cool..heheheh

[paralowiepower]

I got there in time for the fireworks