SANFL 2006 ROUND 12: PORT ADELAIDE v SOUTH ADELAIDE

Embarrassing loss - redemption time

By JAI BEDNALL

EXPECT Port Adelaide to make a stand this weekend against Norwood.

After suffering a humiliating 107-point defeat to South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Sunday, Port coach Tim Ginever has predicted the Port of old to re-emerge against its traditional rivals.

"(The South match) was one of the most embarrassing losses I've been involved in," Ginever said.

"You'd want to see a real big turnaround in absolute commitment (this week).

"At Alberton Oval, Norwood, on a Sunday, mate I'm going to make sure that we're going to put on a show."

Port is enduring a mid-season slump at the moment, its last win was against Glenelg back in May, and the side has slipped to fourth on the ladder.

The Magpies depth is under question, when its top guns such as Waterhouse and J. Clayton are missing as they were on Sunday, the quality of the team suffers a marked drop-off.

Although Port's skills and speed were shown up against South, it was the side's commitment that worried Ginever.

"I knew we were down on personnel because we've got a few bits and pieces out, but it's more so the commitment.

"Last week (against Central District) we had numbers down but I was actually pleased with the commitment of the guys that were out there.

"This week, right from the start, (I was) very disappointed with our commitment."

The clash with Norwood now looms as a pivotal one if Port is to arrest its current slide, and the Magpies desperately need to find a target up forward if Waterhouse is to miss another week.

SCORES: South Adelaide 5.8 8.16 20.17 24.18 (162) defeated Port Adelaide 1.1 2.2 3.4 8.7 (55).

BEST: South - Archard, Bennett, McGlone, C.Sampson, Warren, Thewlis; Port - Ah Chee, Butcher, Elstone, M.Clayton, Kingsley.

GOALS: South - Warren 5, Sampson, Davey 3, Archard, McGlone, Iljcesen, Twomey 2, Cupido, Kruger, Smith, Neagle, Handby; Port - M.Clayton 3, Gates 2, Morrison, Lokan, Jenner.