Danny
12-09-2004, 07:47 PM
Port trio skip training after illness strikes
September 11, 2004
Realfooty.com
Three Port Adelaide players missed training yesterday because of illness, but coach Mark Williams does not expect it to hamper their preparation for next Friday night's preliminary final at AAMI Stadium. Gavin Wanganeen, Josh Mahoney and Michael Wilson were absent from yesterday's session.
"They had a bit of a bug that they've caught from their kids, I think," Williams said. "They'll only be a day out, so they'll be no worries. They've had it the last couple of days, so they should be right. We were very lucky we're not playing this weekend, that's the truth, because of that."
Port held an extended training run yesterday to make up for not having a game this weekend.
The Power will play the winner of last night's Sydney-St Kilda match and Williams said not playing this weekend would be an advantage.
"Not only physically, people can refresh, but I think the mindset... to be able to have that refreshing time off," he said.
"I know the last few years when we've had the (mid-season) break, we've played particularly well after the break, so we're hoping to continue that again next week."
Williams said the preliminary final scheduling, with Brisbane to play at the MCG next Saturday night, despite having earned the right for a home final, was unfortunate for the Lions, but part of playing in the AFL.
"Being an interstate club and earning a home final, we'd be disappointed if we were not being able to achieve that and play in front of our supporters," he said. "But we all know that the AFL have got their hands tied a little, so they're trying to do the best they can.
"We weren't particularly happy about playing in Darwin either, but we had to do it . . . you get on with it and I'm sure Brisbane will." AAP
September 11, 2004
Realfooty.com
Three Port Adelaide players missed training yesterday because of illness, but coach Mark Williams does not expect it to hamper their preparation for next Friday night's preliminary final at AAMI Stadium. Gavin Wanganeen, Josh Mahoney and Michael Wilson were absent from yesterday's session.
"They had a bit of a bug that they've caught from their kids, I think," Williams said. "They'll only be a day out, so they'll be no worries. They've had it the last couple of days, so they should be right. We were very lucky we're not playing this weekend, that's the truth, because of that."
Port held an extended training run yesterday to make up for not having a game this weekend.
The Power will play the winner of last night's Sydney-St Kilda match and Williams said not playing this weekend would be an advantage.
"Not only physically, people can refresh, but I think the mindset... to be able to have that refreshing time off," he said.
"I know the last few years when we've had the (mid-season) break, we've played particularly well after the break, so we're hoping to continue that again next week."
Williams said the preliminary final scheduling, with Brisbane to play at the MCG next Saturday night, despite having earned the right for a home final, was unfortunate for the Lions, but part of playing in the AFL.
"Being an interstate club and earning a home final, we'd be disappointed if we were not being able to achieve that and play in front of our supporters," he said. "But we all know that the AFL have got their hands tied a little, so they're trying to do the best they can.
"We weren't particularly happy about playing in Darwin either, but we had to do it . . . you get on with it and I'm sure Brisbane will." AAP