Choco Admits the Obvious

[jasnik]

Port coach admits AFL side is struggling
Source: The Age

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has confessed his playing list has become one of the weakest in the AFL in the wake of the record loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Speaking the day after being humbled by 76 points at home by the Bulldogs, Williams said it was now clear the drain of talent from the club meant it could not hope to succeed without vigorous recruiting work in future drafts and trade periods.

And Williams is even considering whether to rest captain Warren Tredrea, who has struggled to make an impact since returning from a knee injury.

It has been a swift fall for Port since its 2004 premiership, something the coach acknowledged as he looked at how the club might escape its present malaise, which also extends to its supporter base.

Only 20,233 turned up for Sunday's fixture, and Bulldog Jordan McMahon said many Port supporters had helped the visiting Dogs by ripping into their own players.

"I know (commentator Dermott Brereton) was talking on television about how 28 games ago we won the premiership and asking what the hell's happened," Williams said.

"I look at people out of our team and we have (Josh) Francou, (Matthew) Primus, (Josh) Carr, (Damien) Hardwick, (Byron) Pickett and Roger James, they're all really genuinely tough players, and it's been very difficult to replace those people.

"Port Adelaide has been set up over years and years of having a group of tough players and we need to continue look for and recruit those sorts of players as quickly as possible.

"You have to have a good mix of them, don't say any side's got them all, but no side's probably as depleted as we are at the moment."

Port's most immediate concern is what to do with numerous key players who are not carrying their weight.

Tredrea and recruit Daniel Motlop may both need to be given time off, after failing to contribute in recent weeks.

"I gave (Motlop) best and fairest votes against St Kilda, we'll have to look at where he is physically because he's giving us nothing like he was earlier, he may be injured," Williams said.

"Warren being captain has huge pride in how he has won so many games off his own back, but let's get serious, he can't do that at the moment and the best thing for him may be a couple of weeks off, we'll have to look into that."

Williams said by his reckoning, Port had only "eight or nine" genuine AFL players on its books, with others either getting there or going nowhere.

"I think we've probably got eight or nine players who are genuine, really good AFL standard players and then we've got five or six who are just finding their way," he said.

"And then the others are in and out and up and down, so we really must make the ones who are progressing, better."

Port's coach also reserved a few choice words for SANFL clubs, which he said had held back some of Port's developing talent by playing them out of position.

"Without mentioning particular clubs, some of our players we pick to play in the forward line and they've been playing in the back line all year," Williams said.

"I'm happy for them to be learning different spots, but if they were coached by us they wouldn't be playing there, and these are some of the little things that stand in our way and stop your progression."


The first step to recitifying a problem is acknowledging that you have one. Is this the first step in a 12 step programme to redemption?

The coach doesn't know if Motlop's injured? Maybe he should ask.

[Troy Wingate]

Choco mate, I've been behind you the whole way, but now it's time to go. You've served your time as Power coach. You and Dean Bailey can go, and time to bring back Alistair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick as the new coaches.

[Mad Dog]

bit harsh to comment on SANFL clubs playing players out of position. Port made that into an art form between 1991 and 1996.

[Ford Fairlane]

bit harsh to comment on SANFL clubs playing players out of position. Port made that into an art form between 1991 and 1996.

Oh crap. The only guy Cahill played out of position was Danny Hughes occasionally at CHF when he was trying to plug a gap. Even Graham Cornes said Cahill was easy to work with in that regard. Norwood was the real problem child in that era. Cornes often made mention of the Norwood administrator who said he looked forward every morning to thinking of a new way to stuff the crows around that day. Why do you think Cornes doesn't have a lot of time for Neil Craig?

And if Choco's not happy with some SANFL clubs, why not play some of the guys in the AFL side if he wants to help their progression? If they're not ready, then it isn't really impacting on the debacle we've witnessed so far this year.

And of course it's a typically convenient out to blame the playing list. He's not acknowledging he has a problem, he's acknowledging the players have a problem. I wonder who he rates among the 8-9 AFL standard players.

And don't whinge about Pickett - Mr Unemployable according to the master coach - you offloaded him. For Lonie ...

[Porthos]

This thread title is incorrect. If he was admitting the obvious, he would admit that team selections are atrocious.

[Port01]

Who have we picked to play forward that has been playing back all year?

Thurstans maybe? Or maybe he means that Ebert, Surjan etc play midfield in the SANFL so how is he supposed to use them in a forward pocket.

[Toots Hibbert]

Port coach admits AFL side is struggling





The first step to recitifying a problem is acknowledging that you have one. Is this the first step in a 12 step programme to redemption?

The coach doesn't know if Motlop's injured? Maybe he should ask.
No because Choco is not identifying the real problem. We can beat St Kilda (who have one of the better lists going round) one week and then for the next few weeks we get flogged embarrassingly. That's not due to having a weak list. That's due to having a group of players who are not putting in an honest effort. Why they are not giving 100% is the question Choco has to face up to.

[Eddie Woloschek]

I wonder who he rates among the 8-9 AFL standard players.

Lonie and Motlop he traded for, so they must be in the nine. And he convinced Wanganeen to go again. So pick six -Tredrea, C Cornes, Wilson, Lade, S Burgoyne, P Burgoyne to round out the nine.

That means Walsh, Kingsley, Wakelin, Bishop, Brogan, Pearce, K Cornes, Mahoney, Pettigrew, Chaplin, White, Salopek etc are not AFL standard.

Paxman and James wanted to stay and he offloaded Choppy. He says he offered Dimma an asst coach's role, but he didn't.

[nivek48]

Williams said by his reckoning, Port had only "eight or nine" genuine AFL players on its books, with others either getting there or going nowhere.

"I think we've probably got eight or nine players who are genuine, really good AFL standard players and then we've got five or six who are just finding their way," he said.

"And then the others are in and out and up and down, so we really must make the ones who are progressing, better."

I would be extremely concerned if anyone actually believes this is really true ...

who is managing our list that out of 40 players we have ONLY 9 genuine and 6 progressing (surely we have more potential than '6' - if not what did we draft the past 2-3 years????) - what do we do with the other 25? surely we have more than that who have the ability - for goodness sake we have 14 players from our premiership side still - we need to get the players playing who are out there - not the half-hearted non-port performances we are seeing ... like toots said above we beat the swans and saints yet get served yesterday's and last 2 week's before crap!

a new spin choco on the younger players need to do more ---- we now have a bad list! sheesh!

:mad:

[*PAF]

Choco is full of sh*t.
He pretends to be the tough guy to the players by threatening to drop them and never does, now he is saying they are no good but obviously doesn't mean it.
The problem is the players can read him and thus do not care what he says anymore as he talks one thing but does another.

Is Dewy in the 6 at the moment Choco? What about Bishop? :rolleyes:

[nivek48]

Who have we picked to play forward that has been playing back all year?

Thurstans maybe? Or maybe he means that Ebert, Surjan etc play midfield in the SANFL so how is he supposed to use them in a forward pocket.

Thurstans yes. Willits? - i think we want him as a forward and glenelg play him CHB

[Ford Fairlane]

I would be extremely concerned if anyone actually believes this is really true ...

who is managing our list that out of 40 players we have ONLY 9 genuine and 6 progressing (surely we have more potential than '6' - if not what did we draft the past 2-3 years????) - what do we do with the other 25? surely we have more than that who have the ability - for goodness sake we have 14 players from our premiership side still - we need to get the players playing who are out there - not the half-hearted non-port performances we are seeing ... like toots said above we beat the swans and saints yet get served yesterday's and last 2 week's before crap!

a new spin choco on the younger players need to do more ---- we now have a bad list! sheesh!

:mad:

Choco doesn't want you to analyse his statements. Just accept them on face value and feel bad for him that he has to work with such incompetence.

It's terrible how all those tough nuts just disappeared overnight and without warning. Did someone mention succession planning ... ?

[PJ Power]

How disappointing is this tripe.
Rather than lose the final bits of confidence and respect from the players and supporters by indulging in self-pity by claiming you have less than 20 AFL standard players...........
Admit that the players don't play with passion and heart. Admit that mistakes were made in targeting Lonie and Motlop instead of either drafting or trading for tougher, more reliable players. Admit that selection mistakes have been made in the last month especially.

One minute we hear how great our youngsters are going to be and the next how everyone is stagnating - well play the young bucks; take their development into your own hands. Blame your brother for doing a lousy job with the kids. Instead others get blamed outside the Williams tribe.

And come off it with the Motlop injury rubbish - injured players can still look as if they are trying, he does not.

[PJ Power]

Thurstans yes. Willits? - i think we want him as a forward and glenelg play him CHB

Wasn't Mickan an assistant of Choco's last year - can't the two communicate together. Maybe Mickan realises that we need Willits to develop into a big tough backman because we are about to lose Wakelin at season's end.

[Macca19]

Must be Willits he is talking about. Willits played forward in the internal trial and against Brisbane in the pre season but has played at CHB basically all year for the Tigers.

[Power21]

Paxman and James wanted to stay and he offloaded Choppy. He says he offered Dimma an asst coach's role, but he didn't.

I don't see anything wrong with that sentence. James was finished and we won the flag after Pac left, and Hardwick would have been offered a spot in some capacity.

Regarding the forst thing, you are just being pedantic, he was trying to make a point that very few players are pulling thier weight, don't read to much into crap like that.

[hoochie mama]

hi guys,

i think choco is trying to escape the blame a bit here. From what i heard on the radio coming home he thinks he only has 9 AFL standard players? Thats the biggest cop out i've heard. Even carlton have 9 AFL standard players. The biggest problem is they are playing without the correct structure as well as any from of passion at all. The tackling pressure is non-existent. Bit rich to say you dont have the players imo. Its his job after all to have been developing them. Either that or sack the recruiting department. I'm just happy we have Neil Craig in charge to be honest he takes it upon himself to accept responsibility.

[portly]

...And of course it's a typically convenient out to blame the playing list. He's not acknowledging he has a problem, he's acknowledging the players have a problem....

This is really what concerns me.

My overwhelming impression at the game in the 1st quarter was that the players wanted to have a go, but didn't know HOW to counteract the running game of the other team. This is a coaching problem.

Choco needs to acknowledge that HE has a problem, and not blame it on the youngsters (initially) and then the seniors. And now there's only 9 AFL standard is there!? Who's bluddy fault is that :mad:

I actually feel sorry for Motlop. The ball never gets to him just recently, and this coach bags players in public! Toby Thurstans has now been humiliated in public by Andrew Jarman (twice) AND his own coach. I thought both his games this year have been quite acceptable for a player who must surely be way down in confidence.

[portly]

Choco is full of sh*t.
He pretends to be the tough guy to the players by threatening to drop them and never does, now he is saying they are no good but obviously doesn't mean it.
The problem is the players can read him and thus do not care what he says anymore as he talks one thing but does another.

Absolutely and totally true. He did this regularly last year, and now its all coming home to roost.

For me, Choco is the man. He does have what it takes, but he hasn't yet woken up from sleep after getting a premiership.

It is a low act to publicly bag players.:mad:

[hoochie mama]

This is really what concerns me.

My overwhelming impression at the game in the 1st quarter was that the players wanted to have a go, but didn't know HOW to counteract the running game of the other team. This is a coaching problem.

Choco needs to acknowledge that HE has a problem, and not blame it on the youngsters (initially) and then the seniors. And now there's only 9 AFL standard is there!? Who's bluddy fault is that :mad:

I actually feel sorry for Motlop. The ball never gets to him just recently, and this coach bags players in public! Toby Thurstans has now been humiliated in public by Andrew Jarman (twice) AND his own coach. I thought both his games this year have been quite acceptable for a player who must surely be way down in confidence.

fantastic post. Agree entirely. I actually thought toby thurstans was just ok on sunday when alot of players were no where near that

[mark73]

How disappointing is this tripe.
Rather than lose the final bits of confidence and respect from the players and supporters by indulging in self-pity by claiming you have less than 20 AFL standard players...........What self pity? You don't ,and won't win a flag every year!!..
Admit that the players don't play with passion and heart. Admit that mistakes were made in targeting Lonie and Motlop instead of either drafting or trading for tougher, more reliable players. Admit that selection mistakes have been made in the last month especially.
You can't pull up your socks if you don't have any on
One minute we hear how great our youngsters are going to be and the next how everyone is stagnating - well play the young bucks; take their development into your own hands. Blame your brother for doing a lousy job with the kids. Instead others get blamed outside the Williams tribe.
Williams would probably love to.But there doesn't really exist anything defensively to learn from.
And come off it with the Motlop injury rubbish - injured players can still look as if they are trying, he does not.
Unfortunately ,Motlop is a well presented dud.A truckload of ability ,but little else.

[Macca19]

Great way to get some confidence back in the players from the coaching staff. Tell them that 1/3 of them are any good. Good work.

And yes I do agree that both Tobys games this year have been more than reasonable. He took some strong marks yesterday and kicked a goal. He was far from our worst player. Im a big Toby critic, but talk about pre-planned bagging of a bloke.

[Powerstufff]

Thurstans yes. Willits? - i think we want him as a forward and glenelg play him CHB
Yep Willits was the name that jumped into my mind when I read that.

[macca23]

From an outsider's point of view I was staggered to hear Choco's comment on your list for several reasons.

Firstly, it is nowhere as near as bad as he said it is. There are a mulitude of reasons contributing to Port's poor form and the quality of playing stock is only one of them. Atrocious game plan, a lack of structure, and poor quality support staff for just a start.

Secondly, there has to be at least 25 players on Port's list who would now be wondering if they were one of the not up to scratch mass of players. Barely a morale boosting situation.

Thirdly, who is responsible for the quality of the playing list? Surely it is the coach!! Out of his own mouth Choco has condemned his work in this area over the last few years. Is he bright enough to realise he has done this??

Fourthly, my ears must be failing me. I failed to hear any admission by Choco that he is the man in charge and therefore responsible for the pi ss poor performance.

Finally, If the playing group get it all together and start playing good footy, where will all these extra AFL quality players have come from?

From Choco of course - he will have made them!! :rolleyes:

[Porthos]

Yep. Its definitely an attempt to lower expectations.

[Eddie Woloschek]

I don't see anything wrong with that sentence. James was finished and we won the flag after Pac left, and Hardwick would have been offered a spot in some capacity.

Regarding the forst thing, you are just being pedantic, he was trying to make a point that very few players are pulling thier weight, don't read to much into crap like that.

The point being only that MW says we have but 8 or 9 AFL quality players but he got rid of undisputed class - I agree Rog was probably toast, though i think Paco wasn't. And Dimma was never offered anything, contrary to claims by Choco. Hardwick was asked about it and confirmed Hawthorn made the first/only offer.

[Tredders66]

Choco mate, I've been behind you the whole way, but now it's time to go. You've served your time as Power coach. You and Dean Bailey can go, and time to bring back Alistair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick as the new coaches.

No thanks! Having Hawthorns gamestyle at Port Adelaide at the moment certainly wouldn't help.

[Ported]

If he were almost any other coach, he'd have at least inferred in some indirect way that he MAY POSSIBLY, IF ONLY IN A DIMINUTIVE WAY, be somewhat to blame.

"We have poor players"

"Our players aren't producing acceptable efforts"

"Our players are not talking to each other"

"Our players are not following the 'gameplan' properly"

None of these excuses are any of Williams' business, apparently.

Also, Thurstans was better than acceptable, he was adequately satisfactory.

I sure wish Williams' contract expired at the end of this year. That's not to say that i want him sacked. Two years is a little nomanslandish when it comes to rebuilding a team. Not to say i want his contract extended either. I just wouldn't want the team to get screwed over any more than we already are in the next 2 years due to misplaced commitments....

[GO 161]

Choco mate, I've been behind you the whole way, but now it's time to go. You've served your time as Power coach. You and Dean Bailey can go, and time to bring back Alistair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick as the new coaches.
Oi! That's a copyright infringement. I said that first :D

[RussellEbertHandball]

Port coach admits AFL side is struggling
Source: The Age


Williams said by his reckoning, Port had only "eight or nine" genuine AFL players on its books, with others either getting there or going nowhere.

"I think we've probably got eight or nine players who are genuine, really good AFL standard players and then we've got five or six who are just finding their way," he said.

A couple of years ago either Blight, Walls, Healy or Mathews said you need at least 15 A grade players to win a flag and went on about it for weeks. Probably Walls then. I think that's what Choco meant. I hope that's what he meant otherwise it's a hard statement to understand.

Since 2004 we have lost A graders, Carr, Hardwick, James, Pickett and Monty. I wouldn't classify Schofield as an A grader. Wanganeen has played less than half a game this year, so there's another A grader missing. Bishop was an A grade defender in 2003 and 2004, but isn't anymore. So Choco is right that we don't have more than 8 or 9 A graders playing at the moment. The kids just haven't progressed quickly enough due to both their ability and lack of opportunities from the coaching staff.

[shaz63]

The kids just haven't progressed quickly enough due to both their ability and lack of opportunities from the coaching staff.

Lack of opportunities from the coaching staff is exactly correct

[Mr Magoo]

A few more articles about chocco from today's tiser..

The fact and myths about Port's besieged boss
By MICHELANGELO RUCCI
16may06

FACT: Mark Williams is under contract to coach the Port Adelaide Football Club until the end of next season.

FACT: The Power does not have the finances to pay out Williams, nor the assistant coaches who have their contracts linked to his. This would amount to at least $1.2 million.

FACT: Moves have been underway for at least a month at board level to extend Williams' tenure at Alberton. Where this stands now is uncertain. But a core group of the board still believes Williams is Port's best choice as coach.

FACT: A year ago it seemed Williams was interested in a change of scenery. He unwittingly linked himself to a return to Collingwood. But in the past month Williams has acted and spoken as a coach concerned more for the future of his club than himself.

FACT: Williams is one of the six current AFL coaches with a premiership in his record. He would be sought by AFL clubs if he were available.

MYTH: Williams cannot redevelop an AFL list.

The proof against this notion is to reflect on the list Williams inherited at the end of 1998. By the numbers, the "average" Power player had 36 games to his name. Williams had the least experienced AFL list.

By 2001, Williams had developed this young list into a pacesetter that to the end of 2004 won more games than Brisbane and three consecutive minor premierships. Its only failing was to make just one grand final and win one premiership. That both Port and Brisbane - which play each other at AAMI Stadium on Sunday - are on the slide is proof the AFL has succeeded through its draft and salary cap in dismantling dynasty teams.

FACT: Port's problems are not of Williams alone.

Anyone who has observed the Power's training sessions - before and after the 2004 flag - will agree standards have slipped. Basics, such as kicking accurately to a team-mate barely 25 metres away, have been eroded. And, tellingly, self-discipline among the players is gone. Very, very few now punish themselves - be it with push-ups or by taking themselves out of the main pack to practise any skill with an assistant coach.

It is the symptom of a team still satisfied with 2004.

Port can present statistics that it has run as far, if not farther, and trained as often as surging neighbour, Adelaide.

Quantity does not reflect quality. Standards have slipped.

FACT: Port's inevitable fall - and the potential abandonment by fans at AAMI Stadium - will have long-term consequences at Alberton.

The Power's football department needs to be at full strength to ensure its recruiting and development of young players is optimised.

Instead, the pressure will build on all budgets.

The folly of the AFL's equalisation policy - with the draft and salary cap - is that rich and privileged clubs can defy it. That the AFL is now led by Adelaide, West Coast and Collingwood - the three clubs that have pushed big money into securing off-field resources to speed up the development of young players - is proof. Port is not in the big money game.

FACT: Port's list is no longer the one Williams shaped into a premiership side. It lacks genuine runners. It lacks disciplined defenders. It lacks hard-ball winners (Port ranks No. 15 for contested possessions this season). And it is now significantly out of shape.

QUESTION: If Williams was dismissed, who would coach Port? The only coach capable of entering Alberton with the understanding of what is before him - on and off the field - is Hawthorn mentor Alastair Clarkson. He is out of contract this year - a proposition that is not expected to be true much longer. Every hint is Hawthorn will extend his deal.

CONCLUSION: Williams will stay at Alberton next year - and most likely beyond. He will be compelled to create more with less resources. And Port will do it tough for a while.
____________________________________________________________ ___

Power looks at resting its skipper
By ANDREW CAPEL
16may06

PORT Adelaide will consider resting captain Warren Tredrea from its next two matches against Brisbane and Essendon.

Coach Mark Williams said his champion centre half-forward was nowhere near 100 per cent fit after missing six weeks with a dislocated left kneecap and might be best served with a fortnight off. "That's one we'll have to consider," Williams said.

Tredrea has managed just five goals in four matches since returning from his injury against St Kilda in round four and appears restricted in his movement.

"Warren is captain and has huge pride in wanting to drag the team with him - he's won so many games off his own back," Williams said. "But let's be serious about it, he can't do that at the moment and that's frustrating for him. It may well be the best thing for him to give him a couple of weeks off and we'll consider that this week."

Williams, who led a day of soul-searching at Alberton yesterday, also is in a quandary about what to do with out-of-sorts forward Daniel Motlop, who has been awful since playing a key role in the Power's four-point win against the Saints. The Power coach questioned if Motlop was carrying an injury, such has been his lack of impact on games.

"I feel like I have to really look at where he is physically because he's giving us nothing compared to what he did at the start of the year, when he was fantastic," Williams said. "I would be suspecting Daniel's actually injured but coming to a new club he wants to put it on himself to do the right thing and play. I need to see if he's right."

Williams, who is embarking on a major rebuilding program at Port, said he had been heartened by the performances of four young players in the demoralising loss to the Western Bulldogs - Jacob Surjan, Damon White, Danyle Pearce and Shaun Burgoyne, who is developing into an elite player.

"I was very heartened by Surjan's game, the chasing and tackling and the things he did off the ball," he said.

"You want to put pressure on when you haven't got the ball and I didn't think we did that enough. For young players to come into the side, if they bring that and nothing else at least you've got that enthusiasm around the ball and I thought he played his best game for us."

Port hopes to recall ruckman Dean Brogan and possibly young defender Brad Symes from injury for Sunday's 12.40pm clash against Brisbane at AAMI Stadium, while Williams hinted 2005 top draft pick Nick Lower from Norwood was in line for his first AFL game.

Injury list - Dean Brogan (broken rib/collapsed lung) test, Domenic Cassisi (knee, medial ligament) 3-4 weeks, Josh Francou (adductor) 1 week, Brad Symes (appendix) available, Peter Walsh (corked thigh) available, Gavin Wanganeen (calf) test.
____________________________________________________________

Choco warns of tough stretch ahead for Port
By ANDREW CAPEL
16may06

MARK Williams insists he is the man to lead Port Adelaide back to the top.

The Power coach, under fire from his own fans after the team's worst start since 2000 and out of contract at the end of next year, says he intends to stay at Port for the long haul. Understood to have the full backing of his board, Williams yesterday quashed speculation that he could be interested in coaching a Melbourne-based club and said his sole objective was to rebuild a winner at Alberton.

But, conceding there could be some tough times ahead, he warned supporters that it could take time, perhaps even years, for Port to be in a position to win a second premiership. He said the current Power side, which has lost key personnel to other clubs and retirement since winning the flag in 2004, contained just eight or nine "genuine, really good AFL-standard players" and was in a major rebuilding state.

He wants to see it through.

"No doubt," Williams said when asked if he was in for the long haul at Alberton. "You don't go through these hard times without wanting to see the good times at the end."

Williams, whose team has lost its past three games by a combined 167 points to slump to 15th with a 2-5 record, admits Port is going through a similar rebuilding process to 2000, when the team had just one win and a draw after 12 rounds. It has not missed the finals since, winning its first flag in 2004.
___________________________________________________________

Port on wrong side of records

16may06

PORT Adelaide was on the wrong end of two all-time stats records against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. And they raise serious questions about the Power's lack of accountability.

Not only did the Dogs have a record amount of handballs in their 76-point demolition job, they set a new benchmark for running bounces. In a performance which looked like circle-work at times, the Bulldogs found time and space to have a staggering 213 handballs - 22 more than the previous record set by the all-conquering Carlton team of 1995.

Rodney Eade's outfit also had 52 running bounces, eclipsing the record of 48 set by the Kangaroos in 2001. The Dogs' total disposal count of 421 was the second highest since the AFL started officially keeping stats in 1993. The Crows still hold the record with a massive 431 against Richmond at AAMI Stadium in '93.
"The 2000 season really does make you appreciate the hard times because there are probably seven or eight players (still at Port) who have been through that period," Williams said, adding Port's resurgence from a horror year had given him confidence it could be done again.

"They understand and they'll be convinced that us as a coaching group and them as players can work our way through this, which is great."

But Williams, who said Port needed more tough players, admitted there was no magic formula to turn the side's fortunes around in a hurry.

He noted that some clubs took seven years to go from top, down and back to the top again because of draft and salary cap restrictions.

Williams pointed out that the clubs which had won premierships between 1999 and 2004 - the Kangaroos (1999 premier, 13th), Essendon (2000, 16th), Brisbane (2001-03, 14th) and Port (2004, 15th) - now occupied the bottom four spots on the ladder. He noted high-flying hometown rival Adelaide, which sits at the top of the table, had not played in a grand final since 1998 and that Collingwood, which made grand finals in 2002 and 2003, had slumped to 13th and 15th before rising this year.

"The AFL want it that way (an even competition) and is very, very happy for teams to come up and go down," he said. "We are fighting against that - we're trying to beat those odds and make sure we can find a way to get back there quicker."

Williams said he would stick with his youth policy and play young players in order to find out who could and who couldn't play before making some tough calls on his list at the end of the season.

"We need to get time and experience into these players and we need to make good judgment calls on whether they are good enough to win a premiership in a few years' time," he said. "It all takes time and you can't get anxious about it, you can look forward, you can predict and project but time is the thing that mostly you have to wait for."

Williams said he understood the fans' frustration at Port's current plight, which prompted one "supporter" to hold up a sign at AAMI Stadium on Sunday stating "Chocko for Baghdad (Directly!)".

"People are frustrated, they pay their money to come," he said. "It (the sign) was very, very creative but it doesn't affect me. You might walk away annoyed by it but it (coaching) is what I do. We feel like we do a pretty good job and have done a pretty good job coming up with analysis and winning a lot of games."
_________________________________________________________

Now if you go back a few years remember who came out & said 'I'm ready to coach' just after the AFC had thumped us by about 10 goals. It's a pity in a way that one of the assistant coaches don't do the sam thing to chuckles, not that i'm calling for his head or for him to be shown the door but i wonder how he would like it right now if one of his assistants basically said that they're ready to coach.

[Porthos]

FACT: Moves have been underway for at least a month at board level to extend Williams' tenure at Alberton.I :D:D:D:Ding knew it.

This, people, is why when you think you want a different coach, you make the noise RIGHT NOW.

[portentous]

I like Rucci's article. Shhhhh!

[wharfie_1870]

A few more articles about chocco from today's tiser...I like the picture of Choco talking with Bishop, the caption should read;

Bishop: I took another look at those photographs last night Choc. You know, the ones that Cochrane sold me ;)

[SpringChoke]

I like Rucci's article. Shhhhh!

I wonder if Ruccis softly, softly approach to the PAFC does more damage than good.

[Mad Dog]

I :D:D:D:Ding knew it.

This, people, is why when you think you want a different coach, you make the noise RIGHT NOW.
Jesse James was on the TV last night very strong in his support for Chocco. Time to sheath those knives boys and girls - it sounds like he will be around for a while yet..

[Powerstufff]

Jesse James was on the TV last night very strong in his support for Chocco. Time to sheath those knives boys and girls - it sounds like he will be around for a while yet..Steven Trigg used to Laud Garry Ayres. Odd that our canaries seem to chirp in favour of Chocco.

[Mad Dog]

Steven Trigg used to Laud Garry Ayres. Odd that our canaries seem to chirp in favour of Chocco.
hmmm - I know what you mean but I reckon this time Jamesy means it !...:eek:

[relapse]

Oh crap. The only guy Cahill played out of position was Danny Hughes occasionally at CHF when he was trying to plug a gap. Even Graham Cornes said Cahill was easy to work with in that regard. Norwood was the real problem child in that era. Cornes often made mention of the Norwood administrator who said he looked forward every morning to thinking of a new way to stuff the crows around that day. Why do you think Cornes doesn't have a lot of time for Neil Craig?



It is true what you have said about Cahill and the Adelaide players. Cornes has openly said that John Cahill was one of the best coaches to work with during his time at the club. Cahill also unselfishly worked with many AFC players that were either from or aligned to Port Adelaide and getting them to reach their full potential to maximise their AFL careers.

Norwood and Neil Craig were the ones that gave the AFC the most trouble. They would put players that were dropped in the seconds or not give them a go in the side. I also remember (and I could be wrong) that Norwoods actions is that prompted the change club rule to be implemented were AFL players can switch clubs if they feel they arent being given a fair shake by their respective SANFL club.

[Porthos]

Jesse James was on the TV last night very strong in his support for Chocco. Time to sheath those knives boys and girls - it sounds like he will be around for a while yet..If anything, James' view is more of a reason to brandish those knives. You don't get change if your desire isn't visible...it'll be hard to ignore shrinking crowds and public dissent.

[*PAFC*13]

Chocco hinted Lower may play his first game. You bloody ripper, bring in Thomas too.

[Mad Dog]

surely symes will come straight back in after the appendix........is/will be a gun..:thumbsu:

[Stiffy_18]

Great way to get some confidence back in the players from the coaching staff. Tell them that 1/3 of them are any good. Good work.
That something that baffles me a bit.

In this situation he should be showing a lot of faith and confidence in his players (especially younger players) but he does completely the opposite. If as he says there are only 8-9 players up to AFL standard, then why does he continue to play players that are not up to it? Wouldn't it be better to give a lot of game time to players like Thomson, Ebert (in the midfield), DeLuca, even young Thomas than to give players like Bishop, Shattock et al. chance after chance?

Choko is the one that recruited half these players so he needs to take some responsibility for the supposed shape of the list. If the player is not up to AFL standard then don't play them, give the kid a go. Surely thats better way of rebuilding the list that giving average players chance after chance after chance and they continue to disappoint.

[PJ Power]

The positives from the quotes in today's paper are that:
1. Lower may be close to his debut - looks a good size as per his photo. Introducing him and Thomas to the big time is now the right way to go.
2. Williams made some good observations about Surjan's game - I'm happy his work off the ball got highlighted and praised; it was very noticeable and was what set him apart from his lazy teammates. That sort of good play that isn't apparent in regular stats, needs to be reinforced both to the player concerned (Surjan) and to his teammates.

[Macca19]

I :D:D:D:Ding knew it.

This, people, is why when you think you want a different coach, you make the noise RIGHT NOW.

Sorta goes against what Ive heard.