PORTLAND coach Daniel Jackson says the Let's Talk Cup is an ideal opportunity for the club's youngsters to come to grips with senior structures.
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The Tigers fell to Koroit in round two of the under 23 tournament on Friday night but Jackson saw several positive signs.
Jackson said while it afforded juniors players the chance to learn the ropes of senior footy, "having a kick" and enjoyment was the number one priority in line with the Let's Talk messgae.
"We're just trying to get and enjoy having a kick," he said.
"We start pre-season this week and we're all gelling together now so it'll be good for those boys.
"It's good for them, those who haven't played senior footy, to learn a few structures and things we've put in place for seniors which you wouldn't get otherwise.
"If you're playing practice matches, you probably get more senior guys playing and they're probably not in the positions to be learning.
"It's easy to say it and tell someone what to do but when you're actually doing it, I think there's a bit of a difference."
Portland has so far had two late games in a bid to help players commute from the city to The Pond with less stress.
The Hanlon Park-based club, however, will meet Warrnambool this coming Friday in the middle fixture at 6.40pm.
Jackson said while his side lost to Koroit, there were marked improvements on their effort against North Warrnambool Eagles from round one which yielded a 55-point defeat.
"We actually got our hands on the footy a bit more than last week which was good," he said.
"It was probably the efficiency going inside 50 that probably let us down and when they were inside 50, they were very efficient.
It's good for them, those who haven't played senior footy, to learn a few structures and things we've put in place for seniors which you wouldn't get otherwise.
- Daniel Jackson
"Genuine play in the game I thought was pretty even."
Terang Mortlake's quality youth set the tone for the second straight week.
The Bloods were ruthless in the second half of their round two clash with North Warrnambool Eagles, piling on several goals to run out 8.7 (55) to 1.10 (16) victors.
The win left Terang Mortlake with a perfect two from two record and showed off a daring brand of football, with players using the corridor regularly to tear open the Eagles' defence.
In the other result, South Warrnambool defeated Warrnambool.
Terang Mortlake and South will play the 5.30pm fixture on Friday.
Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
