2002 - Where do we need to improve?

[blackdiamond]

Where does the Port Adelaide Football Club need to improve to keep our premiership hopes alive in 2002?

I know we still have the better part of the 2001 season left, who knows how far we can go in the finals? But in the trade period do you think there is any position we have to get better?

It was recently reported that Sean Wellman could come back to South Australia next year. I think he would add something to our team, as we saw in the Essendon game he is a player that can go forward and back and cause some real damage. However when the Port Adelaide Football Club was asked about its interest in Sean the reply was we don't believe we will have the money to attract a player of his class.

Being this the case can we really expect much change down at Alberton? We have some great Ruckmen down at the club who I am sure will attract the attention of many clubs but I don't think we will get any more than early draft picks for these players as we don't have the money in the salary cap to spend.

What do you think, which area needs to be improved?

[carb70]

I don't think Port will chase any big name recruits. From day 1 their policy has been to go with youth and they have basically stuck to that and this year we are seeing the rewards of that youth policy.

The main concern maybe not for next year but in a couple of years time will be finding key defenders to replace Paxman and Meady when they retire. Wakelin was recruited for that reason this season but as he has proven you can't rely on him to stay healthy for an entire season. I would like to see Port chase a Hay or Croad from Hawthorn or even Gasper from Richmond but there is very little chance of that happening.

Our foward line should be ok for the next few years. Players like Cornes and Tredrea are still young so we should see more improvement from them in the next few seasons.

The same goes for our midfield, they are also quite young. If anything I think we lack a quality wingman. But watching Dominic Cassisi on the weekend I think he could fit into that role over the next few seasons.

I think Port will basically stick with their youth policy and at this stage and I think they would be stupid to change from that. I think our improvement will come from our young players maturing as AFL footballers and the the fact they they will gain experience from playing finals football this season.

[Macca19]

Our backline is our weakest link i belive. We have a fine forward line, a fine midfield but only an average backline.
With Meady and Paxman to retire both by the end of next year, we are in desperate need of another tall defender or two. We have Toby Thurstans playing some great footy at Sturt...but an experienced player would be great. Like a Mark Stevens or Justin Leppitsch or Mark Graham.

Domenic Cassisi is pure class Carb...he will be a class player for sure.

[carb70]

Originally posted by Macca19

Domenic Cassisi is pure class Carb...he will be a class player for sure.

Macca, watching Cassisi on the weekend he reminds me a lot of Smokin Joe Misiti from Essendon in the way he looks and plays even the way he stands with his hands on hips. Maybe it's because he was wearing a Westies guernsey but hopefully he will be just as good as Misiti if not better.

[Macca19]

Originally posted by carb70


Macca, watching Cassisi on the weekend he reminds me a lot of Smokin Joe Misiti from Essendon in the way he looks and plays even the way he stands with his hands on hips. Maybe it's because he was wearing a Westies guernsey but hopefully he will be just as good as Misiti if not better.

Yeah he does play a lot like misiti. Not blessed with a load of pace but he knows how to find the ball in space and he has fantastic disposal. Im surprised he hasnt been given a game yet actually...altho he was named in the squad against Richmond i think. He has definatly impressed this season...and Mark Williams likes him a lot as well - which is handy.
All of our 2001 draft picks look the goods. Burgoyne was playing fantastic footy and was named in the squad in round 4 or 5 i think...and Allan Murray also looks like he has a touch of class about him as well. Knows how to kick a goal...pity they both got injured pretty seriously. I think BUrgoyne has the same problem James Hird and Gavin Wanganeen had.
And Kane Cornes already has proven he will be a pretty consistent footballer at AFL level.