Review Round 1 2019 vs Melbourne

[Port85]

We broke even inside but absolutely destroyed them on the outside. I wasn’t sure we had the footskills to do that, but we really delivered.

We had real struggles with decision making in the forward half in the first quarter but after we sorted that out we were well on top and would have won by more if it wasn’t for 2.6 in the last quarter.

Butters, Rozee, Motlop, Duursma, Watts , Burton all executed well by foot and we made a lot of the right calls, especially in the 2nd quarter.

Not sure if it was a Schofield thing but the midfield run & spread must’ve been phenomenal for +93 uncontested possessions.

 

[TeeKray]

What a win! Unbelievable performance to kick off the new season. For a team with 4 first gamers to concede the first 3 goals against a preliminary finalist away from home and then go on to basically dominate the game from that point is quite remarkable. Everyone player their role, everyone can walk off with their head held high.

The way we played was practically unrecognisable from last year. We surged numbers forward, we played on at all costs, we defended high and bravely. It was very reminiscent of 2013-2014. In the end, we dominated the game. Nearly 100 more disposals yet still +18 in tackles. 27 scoring shots to 16, 59 inside 50s to 45. Our inside 50 set up is still clearly a work in progress, but at times the randomness of it all seemed to work in our favour.

Thought our leaders stood up big time. There was a time early in the third when it looked as though Melbourne might just take control but our leaders refused to let it happen. Rocky and Boak superb all over the park, Hoff and Gray doing the business up forward. This is the sort of leadership we've been lamenting not having for years now.

Players:

Powell-Pepper - Not his day but he kept trying and did some good things. Needs to be cleaner, needs to be more composed in front of goal. Seems like we've been saying that for a while though.

Burton - I'll put my hand up and say I was wrong about this guy. I didn't want him in the team for R1 but he proved me wrong big time. Outstanding performance. Read the ball so well in the air, composed with the footy, great tackling when the ball hit the deck. Fantastic game.

Ryder - Did his bit as part of the tag team without starring.

Motlop - Solid performance. Ran hard both ways and stayed in the game all day, which is his biggest challenge.

Ebert - Thought he grew as the game went on. Played his role.

Gray - Wasteful in front of goal but looked dangerous and got a stack of the footy given how deep he was playing for most of the game.

Boak - Superb game. Set the tempo from the opening quarter and never let up. 34 disposals, 8 tackles. Back to his best, who would've thought we'd be saying that.

Rockliff - Just a casual 44 and 8 tackles. What a beast. Just runs hard and knows how to find it. Was in absolutely everything all over the park.

Marshall - Was involved in a number of key passages of play. Some nice work up the field. Got knocked around a bit. A performance he can build on.

Amon - One of his best games at the level. Nice link up play. Needs to keep it up.

Clurey - Thought he was excellent, especially in the second half.

Butters - Takes the piss with some of the stuff he tries. Some of it comes off, some of it doesn't. A couple of nice goals and lively all day.

Rozee - Thought he was very good. You'd think he's played 100 games already, his composure and footy nous is top shelf. Looked a bit iffy in the pre season, thought he might spend some time in the SANFL, but I'm doubting that now.

Duursma - Solid first game. Physically slotted straight in. Can look a bit uncertain at times but not overawed.

Watts - Just so pleased for Jack. Has copped so much crap for so many years, had his name dragged through the mud all off season. Takes on a new position and delivers to perfection. Embraced the contest, embraced the physical contact, used the footy really well as always. If he can keep focused and maintain that level of energy every week, he'll finish top 10 in the B&F.

Bonner - Solid without starring. Can't remember any mistakes.

Drew - Strong debut game. Didn't always get it right in the contest but kept cracking in and grew as the game went on.

Lycett - Completely nullified Gawn. Great performance.

Byrne-Jones - Awful first quarter. Just awful. Improved as the game went on but at major risk of losing his spot to Hartlett.

Westhoff - Is this guy for real? Just keeps getting better and better with age. 18 disposals, 9 marks, 5 goals. How he is still so underrated in this league defies belief. Superstar.

Jonas - Typically solid performance.

Houston - Speaking of underrated, this guy is definitely the most underrated player on this team. Did so much great work in the air, on the ground, used the ball to near perfection as always. Great game.

 

[Harlott]

I saw Butters impact a couple of aerial contests even though he appeared out of them. Some clever tap ons as well.

 

[Vagabond0]

Plenty of room for improvement but a good win overall.

Thought Ebo, bit like Lynch for Richmond, could have really sealed a good day by clutching a few more marks but good signs he may be an upgrade from our usual full forward option of Sam Gray/ Jake Neade.

Some of the handballs still to feet or behind the run of the play which caused turnovers that hurt.

Also thought we should have had more on the score board given our dominance, we pretty much took hold of the game from late in the first onwards. Had Jones took the mark and kicked the goal they would have been a lot closer than they deserved.

That said plenty to like. You could feel Brogan and Monty's presence on the field.

Playing out the back with Houston, Burton and Watts kicking it forward feels a lot safer.

Lycett will help us manage Paddy

We're already 4 points ahead where I thought we'd be and I'll be walking to the ground next weekend a little lighter

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

 

[TeeKray]

Post-game review thread needs a poll with Jack Watts as the (only) option.

Your wish is my command.

 

[Byrons Firen]

Burton - improved every week since preseason started. Under rated today I think. 5 i50 from a guy playing defense is pretty strong. Also 550 metres gained. This is the burton we were promised. Also pretty good defensively.

Yep and he'll only get better. He's a great size with a very bright future.

 

[Chokito]

Im stiff!
The kids are great! The 2018 recruits are great! The gameplan seems great too!
Farkn I’m excited for this season

 

[Interstater]

Bit early for the Easter metaphors

View attachment 640271

 

[Smithy7]

Hinkley: 'The best win I've been involved in'
A delighted Ken Hinkley explained how proud he was of his side's performance against the Demons
https://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2019/1/melb-v-port

 

[Macca19]

Hinkley: 'The best win I've been involved in'
A delighted Ken Hinkley explained how proud he was of his side's performance against the Demons
https://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2019/1/melb-v-port

Love ya Kenny

 

[TeeKray]

9 wins from our last 11 season openers.

 

[MrMeaner]

The beauty of Rockliff’s disposals is that I don’t think there were any you could call cheap.

 

[VineValerian]

I said it years ago that he needed to relenquish the captaincy to get himself back to best. Bu like my opinion on Dixon etc... The crowd shut me down

And deservedly so

 

[SteppingTiger]

Watts great, Houston second half really stood up.

Has anyone seen Hoff look sore and sorry after a game? Looks like he is good for another 5 years

 

[CharlieKelly]

This is my review, in .gif form...

 

[Dav]

I haven't watched a Port win live since Round 23, 2011. I went to the G expecting to lose and looking forward to just being there. I'm still absolutely beaming. Literally no one had a poor game for us. Some average games, a lot of good games, elite performances from Rocky and Hoff and Boak. Absolutely adored Burton, having him and Hartlett coming out of defence will be amazing.

 

[Buget]

Great to see the senior players stand up, but they need to do it all season.

Those passages where the kids linked up.... wow... impressive

 

[Dav]

Great to see the senior players stand up, but they need to do it all season.

Those passages where the kids linked up.... wow... impressive

Handball handball handball... Was magnificent to watch

 

[LukeSA]

View attachment 640260

Sing it loud boys ...

Is it me or does it look like Ryder's donning a 'fro?

 

[glitch01]

After some issues with the WatchAFL app and missing the first 10 minutes I’m happy! Was getting stressed as the local network no longer shows AFL.
Liking the revised game plan a lot.
Great to see Boak in his natural position, definitely still a leader!!
Obviously the new kids were excellent.
If SPP could just settle down a bit he would have been in our best, so many “almost” moments.
Watts was good and Hoff was just Hoff.



On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Grave Danger]

For those that didn't get to see/hear this...

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Now to show some discipline for a better free kick differential

 

[Garibaldi Red]

Hey Goody, review the fcuk outta that

 

[RussellEbertHandball]