Unofficial Preview Changes v Norf

[tribey]

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I like to think him getting Harvey twice was the reason he was pensioned off.

 

[Doctor Feel]

Our backline is texas.

Houston and now Austin.

We just need a Dallas.

There is a "Pearland" in texas, too.

 

[Nemisis]

If Austin can come on like Clurey has, we're in for an exciting time.

The only reason Westhoff has had to drop back into defence so much is because he's been sub-consciously worried about our backline - so he's always reluctant to push forward like he is supposed to and get involved. He's thinking 's**t, our backs are too small - better not stray too far from them in case we turn the ball over cause I'll be needed to help out.'

This, however, is not actually true. Our backline would do just fine without Westhoff filling a hole on the wing - the only time he is needed back is when we are under siege...and all the forwards work into the defensive half at that point anyway. So there's nothing actually lost by him pushing forward more often.

This is what Wines was talking about when he said that the players have now come to the point where they trust each other to do their role, and why Westhoff could push forward more during the second half against the Eagles. He finally found the faith needed in his teammates to say 'They've got this' and be more aggressive with his play.

Now, the one player who is letting down the team in the backline is Hombsch. His hips can't be that bad that he can't spoil or intercept the ball. 5.82 one percenters a game is average for someone who is supposed to be an elite defender. He was averaging over 10 a game last year. And if you think that's because of team defence - Jonas averages 8.2 one percenters a game.

Sure, the hips mean he can't run or attack as well as he should, but he can defend. He's just down on form.

So Jack gets dropped and Austin comes in. Now, if Austin can emulate Clurey, and start to really work as a defender, we don't lose anything from an out of form Hombsch, because Austin should be at least as good as Hombsch is at the moment PLUS add the attacking flair and height in defence that allows Westhoff to drift forward more and get involved in the play.

If Hombsch was in form, it would be no contest - Austin would still be in the SANFL. Because our back three would be that much more solid as a unit and Hoff would feel more confident.

But here's the real kicker - if Austin can take his chance and run with it...or if Hombsch can rediscover his form...not only will be the most balanced side in the competition, we'll win the flag in an absolute canter. Adding a Westhoff with the ability to do whatever the **** he wants - taking intercept marks in defence, running through the wing, taking pack marks up forward - would be like the icing on a three tiered premiership cake.

Good work Janus but if Austin stays in the team and Jack H forces his way back in we will be defensively Stacked!! 8 backmen.

 

[Established1870]

We just need a Dallas.

Stuart Dallas?

 

[Established1870]

What would everyone's KPD selections be if everyone was fit, firing and keeping forwards to a few kicks a game? Personally, Austin, Clurey and Hombsch start with Jonas a small defender.

Have we actually ever had this much depth before? I'm now moist thinking about it.

 

[drazah]

Don't think Sam Gray wasn't even that bad last week.

He honestly wasn't and I even thought he was one of our better players but throughout the season we've had issues with inaccuracy in front of goal and he's been one of the biggest culprits. You can't tell me that Eddy, Billy, Gus or Howard wouldn't nail the shots he misses on a regular basis.

His 8 disposals and 0.1 really saved that game against West Coast. He was a star.

 

[jonasshirtfront]

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Liked for being the moment that finally ended Harvey's career so we never have to see that tiny prick again.

 

[1954]

I reckon the jury is still out a tad on the Logan of Austin, that crer's basketballer kicked a few sausage rolls last week, and they weren't all on Lienert.

As always though, I will be happy to be proven wrong if I have underestimated the bloke.

 

[snozulu]

How has Austin been going in the SANFL this season as i haven't had much of a chance to see him in action.

 

[DazalenkoUBewty]

Liking the Austin inclusion.

 

[Schulzenfest]

My question would be - who else in the Magpies or the Power side for that matter is going to work anywhere near as hard as Sam to provide the link up option up and down the wing?

Monfries has been playing that role at AFL level since Sam was a child, and for the most part he's played it at a higher standard than Sam has reached this year. I'm not as militantly anti-Sam Gray as some on here are, and it may be that the Gus ship has sailed, but a couple of months ago when Sam was struggling at AFL level and Gus was knocking the door down in the SANFL, a change should have been made.

 

[Pedro59]

What would everyone's KPD selections be if everyone was fit, firing and keeping forwards to a few kicks a game? Personally, Austin, Clurey and Hombsch start with Jonas a small defender.

Have we actually ever had this much depth before? I'm now moist thinking about it.

Houston???

 

[PAFC66]

I think every game is a danger game for Port Adelaide.

I really would like my finger nails to grow back, I'm never confident, even when 10 goals up. I must be a terrible supporter.

I feel that same. When we've consistently lost to the worst sides in the competition no matter where we are you second guess our chances always. At home though we don't seem to have this issue against rabble opposition.

 

[Pedro59]

Some serious confirmation bias going on regarding Sam Gray after last week's game, for a few people.

He's a much better player than some seem to think.

It's a bit like Trump

It's fashionable to knock Sam but the facts don't stack up

On other forums I ask for actual facts about Trump and umm errr..

 

[Enviable Tradition]

Emerg: Eddy, Bonner, A.Young

Who do you thonk will be the late out for Eddy?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[RossFC]

Austin has gone backwards this season in the SANFL so this selection surprised me.

Was expecting Jacko back with 1 of Eddy, Howard or Frampton forward.

 

[LFC2010]

Our backline is texas.

Houston and now Austin.

We just need a Dallas.

There is a "Pearland" in texas, too.

If we're not careful Tex will sue the club for using too many Texas names.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I reckon the jury is still out a tad on the Logan of Austin, that crer's basketballer kicked a few sausage rolls last week, and they weren't all on Lienert.

As always though, I will be happy to be proven wrong if I have underestimated the bloke.

There were a few Joe the Gooses among those though. Nothing much a defender can do when his opponent is alone in space after coming back from getting some produce from the pie man at the northern gate and we've turned the ball over.

 

[El_Scorcho]

Monfries has been playing that role at AFL level since Sam was a child, and for the most part he's played it at a higher standard than Sam has reached this year. I'm not as militantly anti-Sam Gray as some on here are, and it may be that the Gus ship has sailed, but a couple of months ago when Sam was struggling at AFL level and Gus was knocking the door down in the SANFL, a change should have been made.

I tend to agree with this.

Sam Gray seems to get lumped in with the Impey/Neade/Young triumvirate of low performance small forwards, but his role is a lot higher than theirs and he finds a lot more of the ball in that linkman role. He has much more of an impact

Ultimately you'd have to think there is a more skillful player and more physically capable player who could take his place, but I don't see it as an absolute disaster if he manages to keep them at bay for this season at least.

I'm not gonna lie, despite the fact that there is absolutely no room for sentiment in AFL football, I like him more because he's a Port Adelaide country zone product come good.

 

[crafty_bernardo]

Who do you thonk will be the late out for Eddy?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Don't see anyone out for Eddy, just surprised Ken's got him as emergency.

 

[Power One]

If we're not careful Tex will sue the club for using too many Texas names.

Gav wouldn't allow it, surely.

 

[TeeKray]

Good change. Injury or not, Hombsch has been average at best this year. Austin deserves his chance and I'm sure he'll take it with both hands.

 

[tribey]

Good change. Injury or not, Hombsch has been average at best this year. Austin deserves his chance and I'm sure he'll take it with both hands.

Austin's ceiling is enormous.

Last season - in his first 11 games in the caper if you don't mind - he averaged more spoils than every player in the comp bar Hombsch.

 

[snozulu]

Good to see Amon named for the maggies

 

[70sDinosaur]

Cheapness is relative I suppose.

Damn right it is.

My relatives are as cheap as they come.