PA18970
Do you honestly think Port Adelaide will make the finals? I mean, really? Why do you think this. Don't say crap like: "because we are Port and we play with heart". I want to know how you are going to have success with a thin playing list.
Everyone else on these boards talk about football and how their teams can improve. You don't talk about your team itself. You just talk about their history.
What about the fact that Port are severley lacking in talent compared to the other top side. Does this mean anything to you? What about the fact that you can't score enough goals consistently? Does this mean anything to you?
I doubt very much whether you will make the finals, simply because you aren't good enough. This is your 5th season in the AFL, and you have never had a percentage of over 100, and you have never won a finals match - not even come close.
What you did in the SANFL with different payers is largely irrelevant. Competting against the big boys is an entirely different proposition. And I have been proven right by that, because since entering the comp, you have done basically nothing. 5 years and nothing. So don't say I'm wrong because I am 100% right.
Forget the fact you have money. The salary cap prevents this from being an adantage. North Melbourne have no money and they have been the best performed club in the last 8 years. You need quality players, and while you have a competititve team, the finals are a long, long way off. Even when you did make the finals in 1999, you had a percentage of 90, and Hawthorn (who finished 9th) were clearly a more accomplished side that year.
You'll need luck in close matchs, a lack of injuries, and consistency to make the 8. With hardly any change in your playing personnel from last year, it looks to be yet another long, long season for the unsuccessful Port Power. It's been different in the AFL hasn't it!!! Oh well, you had to learn some way, you might as well learn the hard way!
Adios. Bring on Round 2.