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Wakelin has chance to repay faith
By RICHARD EARLE
10jun04
PORT Adelaide full back Darryl Wakelin feels he has let his team-mates down with inconsistency but now has the "conditioning" to repay their faith.
Wakelin subdued Brisbane goliath Jonathan Brown in the second half at the Gabba last weekend and is ready for another grim assignment this Sunday on Sydney nemesis Barry Hall.
Asked if he would adjust his tactics after conceding six goals in the Power's 2003 qualifying final defeat opposed to Hall, Wakelin said: "If you have played full back, you know your job is made easier by the midfield.
"If there's no pressure there it doesn't matter if you are the best full back going around. It's always a difficult task.
"We haven't got the superstars to be able to win games ? everyone needs to work together.
"He probably gave me a little bit of a touch up in last year's final. I've had some good battles over the years with Barry and he is a very good player."
Wakelin, 29, was stymied by ankle and hip injuries in the pre-season ? returning in round three against Hawthorn. A poor game on Wayne Carey in the round seven Showdown contrasted with his recent form.
"I feel, personally, I have let down the team-mates a little bit with my consistency and I just want to get back," said Wakelin, who gave away just five free kicks last year.
"I feel like I have the conditioning to get me through games and string some games together.
"It is definitely important."
Centre half-back Chad Cornes, suffering from a groin strain, trained separately for 30 minutes last night at AAMI Stadium before leaving the track.
Cornes is rated a 60-40 chance to play while Josh Carr (jaw) and Adam Kingsley (knee) both moved freely and will push for selection.
Midfielder Roger James left training early, following a light program this week, while rugged defender Damien Hardwick (flu) did not train.
Wakelin can't wait for the Power regulars to filter back into the starting 22.
"Adam Kingsley is not far off, he may come up this week. Peter Burgoyne will come back from suspension and, apart from that, we will just have to wait and see," 188-game defender Wakelin said.
"I still think on the weekend we were competitive but we need that quality back in the side to really finish games and show we are a real threat at the end of the year."
Wakelin is ready for the Swans, saying: "They are playing very good football and a similar style to what they were playing last year. It's positive for them and up to us to stop them."
By RICHARD EARLE
10jun04
PORT Adelaide full back Darryl Wakelin feels he has let his team-mates down with inconsistency but now has the "conditioning" to repay their faith.
Wakelin subdued Brisbane goliath Jonathan Brown in the second half at the Gabba last weekend and is ready for another grim assignment this Sunday on Sydney nemesis Barry Hall.
Asked if he would adjust his tactics after conceding six goals in the Power's 2003 qualifying final defeat opposed to Hall, Wakelin said: "If you have played full back, you know your job is made easier by the midfield.
"If there's no pressure there it doesn't matter if you are the best full back going around. It's always a difficult task.
"We haven't got the superstars to be able to win games ? everyone needs to work together.
"He probably gave me a little bit of a touch up in last year's final. I've had some good battles over the years with Barry and he is a very good player."
Wakelin, 29, was stymied by ankle and hip injuries in the pre-season ? returning in round three against Hawthorn. A poor game on Wayne Carey in the round seven Showdown contrasted with his recent form.
"I feel, personally, I have let down the team-mates a little bit with my consistency and I just want to get back," said Wakelin, who gave away just five free kicks last year.
"I feel like I have the conditioning to get me through games and string some games together.
"It is definitely important."
Centre half-back Chad Cornes, suffering from a groin strain, trained separately for 30 minutes last night at AAMI Stadium before leaving the track.
Cornes is rated a 60-40 chance to play while Josh Carr (jaw) and Adam Kingsley (knee) both moved freely and will push for selection.
Midfielder Roger James left training early, following a light program this week, while rugged defender Damien Hardwick (flu) did not train.
Wakelin can't wait for the Power regulars to filter back into the starting 22.
"Adam Kingsley is not far off, he may come up this week. Peter Burgoyne will come back from suspension and, apart from that, we will just have to wait and see," 188-game defender Wakelin said.
"I still think on the weekend we were competitive but we need that quality back in the side to really finish games and show we are a real threat at the end of the year."
Wakelin is ready for the Swans, saying: "They are playing very good football and a similar style to what they were playing last year. It's positive for them and up to us to stop them."
