Rudolph said he was quietly confident a hard week on the training track and a few home truths would result in a stronger showing from his charges.

The Seagulls host Portland at Gardens Oval, eager to respond from the 72-point season-opening loss to Koroit.

Rudolph rued Port Fairy’s poor work rate and communication skills.

“The main thing I was disappointed with was we were unaccountable and Koroit zoned off well,” he said.

“The biggest concern for me in the first game was just (for players) to listen to instructions.”

Rudolph said there were shining lights in the loss, highlighting promising debuts from recruits Jaise Coleman and Lloyd Stockman.

“Jaise had a good first game in the ruck and will grow throughout the year,” he said.

“He’s very good at ground level, very slightly built with good hands and skills and he covers the ground well.”

Rudolph said Stockman had a solid first half against the Saints before tailing off, along with most of his teammates, after half-time.

“A lot of our boys were tested (fitness-wise),” he said.

“It made us look second-rate which I know we are not.” The key defender said Portland would make Port Fairy work for any clean possessions.

“Portland are a strong side, physical and well-drilled too,” Rudolph said. 

Portland coach Jake Myles said dismissing Port Fairy as an easy-beat would be detrimental to the Tigers’ chances.

“I am not reading too much into that (their round one loss),” he said.

“It’s hard to read round one and they picked up a few recruits and I am sure they will pick up from last year.

“We have no illusions. Our away record is not that good.

“We need to make our intentions clear early.”

Myles said basic skills errors were the Tigers’ downfall in their narrow win against Terang Mortlake and that it was crucial they got the football into their better ball users’ hands.