Preview Round 4, 2015: Port Adelaide v Hawthorn, ANZAC Day, 7.40pm @ Adelaide Oval

[Arsene Wenger]

Big test for you guys, as probably the only lingering concern on Port is your depth. Having said that, losing Sheils hurts us more than a lot of people realise, and we may have a late out if other posters here are correct.
Still think it's going to a close one and a cracking game, regardless of the weather.

make that out Hodge and/or Lewis ... thanks

You are right though, no better way to test out your depth. I said if we win one of our next 2 I would be happy, but that is looking more like next week v Crows.

 

[cryptor]

If Port had a full list to choose from and you told me that I could remove 2 of them then it would be out of Wines, Gray and Boak.

 

[MrPremiership]

If Port had a full list to choose from and you told me that I could remove 2 of them then it would be out of Wines, Gray and Boak.

I'd take out Schulz.....without him, there is minimal forward threat

 

[cryptor]

I'd take out Schulz.....without him, there is minimal forward threat

Ryder, Wingard, Monfries, Gray.

Everything Port does starts in the middle at the clearances. Stop that and their runners don't get the ball to get up to their forwards and they don't score quickly out the back.

If Langford can shut Boak down then their best midfield rotation is gone. Hodge, Lewis and Langford will dominate Boak and two second stringers. Then their third string rotation could match up on Mitchell, Burgoyne and Rioli. With Puopolo, Breust and Roughead also capable of going through there. Hartung, Smith and Hill buzzing around the outside waiting for the give and go. Port's outside runners now forced to stay defensive side and just hope for a clanger coming out of the congestion.

 

[Gold Member]

Oh dear, Meredith & Razor

Remember that time Razor ended the quarter early with Breust streaming into goal...

 

[VandoHawk]

Surely, surely we decide Swiss/Langford tags Boak this game. With the handy news that Wines and Gray are out, Boak is now the biggest midfield threat. Personally I'd get Whitecross to tag and put Langford straight in the guts to win the contested possesion. They've lost two talented, contested possesion acquiring midfielders. Negate Boak, and the likes of Hodge/Mitchell/Lewis/Burgoyne should have a field day in the contests.

Their next strain of midfielders aren't really contested ball winners, more fast runners e.g. Polec and White. However, they usually recieve the ball from their clearance players. If our midfield wins (stopping Boak goes a long way) then these players cant be used to the same effectiveness of Smith, Hill and even Hartung.

Putting Roughhead in the middle is going to be big this game. His sheer size and athleticism will worry the Port mids, and without two of their best three contested ball-winners (and hopefully Boak being negated) it's ideal conditions for him to garner constant fast forward fifty entries.

Our rucks will have to focus on negating the influence of Ryder and Lobbe. Even if McEvoy and Ceglar don't outright win the taps, they need to at least influence the taps enough so that our mids have a chance of winning the ball. Both of them also need to use their height and strength to their advantage in the forwardline, and hopefully impact the scoreboard.

We have no excuses not to win this game. Port are in the same position we were when we played them (in the home and away season) last year, and we should put them to the sword for it.

EDIT: Apparantly Polec did not participate in Port's training and sinply watched on the sidelines. Another potential ommision for them.

 

[Bedi]

we really need to win this to make up for that Essendon loss. 2-2 wouldn't be a great way to start the year

 

[HomerJayS]

Schulz hears nothing, sees nothing and knows nothing

Let's hope he kicks nothing

 

[Steven Tyler]

i wish i shared the optimism lads. Two of our best clearance players. Its like you being without Lewis and Hodge... i hope it floods tomorrow night.

Last time we played you at AO we were without Lake, Roughy, Mitchell, Gibson and Rioli, and McEvoy was subbed out in the second quarter
We still made a game of it, losing by 2-3 goals!
Good sides, which Port very much are, find a way even when things don't go to plan
The massive home ground advantage you have, combined with the desire to win your first game at home, will ensure a hard fought contest, and an even one, no matter the side you put out on Saturday!
This will be a ripper game!

 

[Thaihawk]

Let's hope he kicks nothing

That's the most important of this nothing post.

 

[threesixpio]

What's with all these tipsters going for Port. Am I wrong to feel confident? (Tips before Robbie G was out granted).

 

[madhawksfan]

No excuses with two of their best players out. Gray not playing is massive bonus for us but we still need to play well.

 

[threesixpio]

No excuses with two of their best players out. Gray not playing is massive bonus for us but we still need to play well.

If we bet them they (the media) will go on and on about the outs. Rewind 12 months -when we almost beat them with box Hill playing .... Port are amazing etc...

 

[Taskmaster]

With Ollie and Robbie out for Port, it will have an effect on Ports game. But Port at home are a force and we need to be up for this. We dropped the Essendon game for poor attitude, this needs to be a mini final like attitude.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Oh gray is out?

Lock it in!

 

[HawksonFire]

Clarko presser at Airport. All players boarded. Declared Cyril and Poppy fine. Planning to go in as selected

 

[HawksonFire]

Jed is the travelling emergency

 

[badgrill]

What is this, I don't even

.

Hooogaaaaan!

 

[madhawksfan]

If we bet them they (the media) will go on and on about the outs. Rewind 12 months -when we almost beat them with box Hill playing .... Port are amazing etc...

Injuries don't count if it's us though ; )

 

[onthemoney]

Jed is the travelling emergency

That's interesting. If he doesn't play, that's stuff all footy to start the season.

 

[cryptor]

That's interesting. If he doesn't play, that's stuff all footy to start the season.

Reading between the lines he probably will end up playing. For who I don't know.

 

[Hodginator]

Jed is the travelling emergency

Surely he must be playing then. And starting. Another sub role won't do much for his game time. Better off staying and playing for Box Hill

 

[TazHawk15]

Surely he must be playing then. And starting. Another sub role won't do much for his game time. Better off staying and playing for Box Hill

I have a nasty feeling Cyril could be a late out.

 

[threesixpio]

Surely he must be playing then. And starting. Another sub role won't do much for his game time. Better off staying and playing for Box Hill

Worse emergencies

 

[cryptor]

I have a nasty feeling Cyril could be a late out.

Clarko confirmed at his airport press conference that both Rioli and Puopolo would play.