Hocking warning for Power
August 14, 2012 11:36:46 UK
Port Adelaide have plenty left to play for at the end of a disappointing season, says interim coach Garry Hocking, and top of the agenda for the players is to prove they belong at the club.
Troy Chaplin is one of several players coming to the end of his contract.The Power have a number of players out of contract at the end of the season. And Hocking said it is for them to impress in the final games if they want to earn a new deal.
Star midfielder Travis Boak's future is the key issue Port Adelaide need to address in the coming weeks. But others who are coming off contract include key defender Troy Chaplin, veteran forward Brett Ebert, Danyle Peace, on-baller Steven Salopek and utility Jacob Surjan.
Chaplin will undergo knee surgery this week and is set to miss the final three matches. Hocking, who was appointed to the caretaker role last week following the sacking of Matthew Primus, said he would give every opportunity to players to prove their worth.
I'm a big supporter of all the players on the list and giving them all the opportunity over the next three games to try and get back into form and playing well so that the next coach that comes in has a healthy lis.
Garry Hocking
"I'm a big supporter of all the players on the list and giving them all the opportunity over the next three games to try and get back into form and playing well so that the next coach that comes in has a healthy list," he said.
"There are a few people that are uncontracted but certainly (Port Adelaide football operations manager) Peter Rhode is across all that.
"We are just concerned with wanting to give our players an opportunity.
"We are a bit challenged for the depth so it's an opportunity to try and push some new people into some different roles."
Hocking is hopeful Boak and Chaplin will accept new deals soon, and suggested the 24-year-old's recent 'actions and attitude' were a sign he was 'excited to stay' at Alberton.
The Power are 6.00 to beat West Coast on Sunday, with the Eagles available at 1.13.
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