What we need to be really good in 2020:
1. One or two of our draftees (Bergman, Williams, Georgiades and Mead) doing a Rozee/Duursma- suddenly we would have a dynamic forward line and it would release Rozee, Butters, Ebert and Gray to play more midfield.
2. Butters to convert his running prowess into possessions quickly- a few years back, Amon burnt the track in preseason just as Butters has this year but couldn't convert that power into anything meaningful on the field for 3 or 4 more years. If Butters can do that more quickly, it will improve us greatly. He is great with ball in hand. His challenge is to get more of it. If he does, look out.
3. Most of 2019's great improvers to consolidate or improve again. We saw massive improvements last year from Amon, Houston, Byrne-Jones, Ladhams, Drew, Rozee and Duursma. We need Rozee and Duursma to avoid the second year blues. We need the other 5 to at least be as good as they were last year or better. We cannot afford the majority of these players taking a backward step.
4. The 2017 Trade Period to pay dividends. Many here have written off Rockliff, Motlop and Watts. All 3 have not played to their potential at Port yet. Even if 2 of the 3 did in 2020, we would become a far better side. Motlop could kick 40 goals, Rockliff could average 30+ possessions and Watts could make a name for himself across half back like he was doing before he broke his leg. These guys are still in their prime and at their best are stars.
5. Wines and Dixon to play to their pay cheques. Possibly our two highest paid players. Both are capable of dominating games and being match winners. Again, both are still in their prime and if either performed to their capacity in any given week, it is hard to see us getting beaten. Neither has done this recently and it is easy to forget how good these guys really are.
None of this wish list is unrealistic. I suspect that if 3/5 of the above happens in 2020, we play finals. If 4/5 happens we win finals and if 5/5 happens we win the flag.
1. One or two of our draftees (Bergman, Williams, Georgiades and Mead) doing a Rozee/Duursma- suddenly we would have a dynamic forward line and it would release Rozee, Butters, Ebert and Gray to play more midfield.
2. Butters to convert his running prowess into possessions quickly- a few years back, Amon burnt the track in preseason just as Butters has this year but couldn't convert that power into anything meaningful on the field for 3 or 4 more years. If Butters can do that more quickly, it will improve us greatly. He is great with ball in hand. His challenge is to get more of it. If he does, look out.
3. Most of 2019's great improvers to consolidate or improve again. We saw massive improvements last year from Amon, Houston, Byrne-Jones, Ladhams, Drew, Rozee and Duursma. We need Rozee and Duursma to avoid the second year blues. We need the other 5 to at least be as good as they were last year or better. We cannot afford the majority of these players taking a backward step.
4. The 2017 Trade Period to pay dividends. Many here have written off Rockliff, Motlop and Watts. All 3 have not played to their potential at Port yet. Even if 2 of the 3 did in 2020, we would become a far better side. Motlop could kick 40 goals, Rockliff could average 30+ possessions and Watts could make a name for himself across half back like he was doing before he broke his leg. These guys are still in their prime and at their best are stars.
5. Wines and Dixon to play to their pay cheques. Possibly our two highest paid players. Both are capable of dominating games and being match winners. Again, both are still in their prime and if either performed to their capacity in any given week, it is hard to see us getting beaten. Neither has done this recently and it is easy to forget how good these guys really are.
None of this wish list is unrealistic. I suspect that if 3/5 of the above happens in 2020, we play finals. If 4/5 happens we win finals and if 5/5 happens we win the flag.
