Port Adelaide’s players have come under scathing criticism in the wake of their disaster 71-point Preliminary Final loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
With home ground advantage, additional rest, and a healthier injury list than their opponent, the Power were both outclassed and outhunted by a hungry Bulldogs outfit.
While some Port Adelaide players can hold their heads high - namely Ollie Wines, Travis Boak and Riley Bonner - former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell believes that nearly a dozen of their teammates should be “embarrassed” with their effort.
Speaking on SEN’s FootySA, he named the Power players that need to improve both physically and mentally if the side is ever to reach a Grand Final.
“I’m just disappointed in nearly a dozen of their (Port Adelaide’s) players,” Rendell said.
“Whether they’re physically and mentally tough enough to win a premiership with this team, and I’m going to name names.
“They all had disappointing games last night, in the most important game of the year, they were really ordinary.
“(Connor) Rozee, (Zak) Butters, (Orazio) Fantasia, (Peter) Ladhams, (Ryan) Burton, (Dan) Houston, (Todd) Marshall, (Darcy) Byrne-Jones - what’s happened to your form from last year as an All-Australian – Karl Amon, (Steven) Motlop and (Miles) Bergman.
“They all need to get physically and mentally tougher next year if they want to win the flag.
“It’s alright for them to play really pretty football, and they are really good footballers.
“They play pretty football when there’s no adversity and they’re winning contested ball.
“They need to knuckle down, they gave those three players (Ollie Wines, Travis Boak and Riley Bonner) no help last night.
“They need to be embarrassed, it’s going to stick in their guts for the whole pre-season.
“They need to be better, especially mentally.”
The loss marks the second year in a row that Port Adelaide have lost in a home Preliminary Final having won straight through to the game.
Matt cooks the Port players that didn’t turn up against the Dogs.
— Footy SA (@Footy_SA) September 11, 2021
Thanks to @yoursipnsave
Watch the full episode on the SEN App. pic.twitter.com/f159zjUIM3