Game Plan v Port Adelaide

[WCE2000]

How do you think the eagles will aproach this match.

I reckon, either Gardiner or Cox should be at CHF at all times (preferably Gardiner) - with the other in ruck. This would create an enormous mismatch in our forward line.

The only talls they have in their line-up are:
Cornes (191 cm)
Tredrea (194 cm)
Mead (193 cm)
Wakelin (192 cm)
Primus (198 cm)
Bishop (195 cm)
Ackland (196 cm)

Cornes and Tredrea are the targets in their forward line, Primus is in the ruck, Mead and Wakelin are the key position backs in the named line-up. Their only tall backman who could matchup against Gardiner allright are Bishop and Ackland, who between them have only 39 games of experience - which probably won't be enough to counter the 62 game player Gardiner , who is one of the in form players in the competition.

And if we really wanted to complicate matters, we could throw Turnbull into the forward line as a 3rd tall. This would mean there is 1 even match-up in Wilson/Wakelin, and two match-ups that would favour us - Gardiner/Mead and Turnbull/Bishop or Ackland. Although Bishop and Ackland matchup allright on Turnbull (195 cm), the experience factor could give Turnbull the victory in that post (if they decide to put him in the forward line).

In our backline, McIntosh will take Cornes (will MacIntosh be quick enough). Jakovich will take Tredrea - this is the type of battle Jakovich would prefer as Tredrea doesn't move around much. Mark Williams will probably try and play Cornes at CHF, because he is much quicker than Jako.

Gavin Wanganeen has been named in the forward pocket. If he plays up front, i would play Wirrpunda on him. If Wanganeen goes back down the ground, Wirrpunda would take Burgoyne.

Peter Matera will probably pick up Che Cockatoo-Collins, but the younger Cockatoo-Collins will probably be more fit than Matera, so as the match wares on, Chad Morrison would pick Cockatoo-Collins up, and Peter Matera could play as a loose backman of Half back.

Should be some interesting battles in the midfield - Primus v Cox/Gardiner. Cousins v Francou, Stevens v Fletcher.

Overall, we can win the match, by exploiting their backline. They have 4 tall players who can play back, however the only 2 who could match up to Gardiner and Cox, have little experience. The 2 experienced talls are tall enough to match up on those two, so we can create a big mismatch across CHF - the key position on the field.

 

[jod23]

I agree with everything you said WCE2000. Stack our forward line with talls and stretch there backline, and if the ball comes to ground then we have Phil and Merenda to pick up the crumbs. But just because we are tall up forward that doesnt mean bomb it in. Look for leads and mismatches but if there is nothing going then bomb it to Gardy or Wilson and let them take a mark.

In defence we should be ok with McIntosh playing on Cornes and Jako on Tredrea, if Cornes moves to CHF then Mcintosh must go with him because Jako wont be quick enough. Play Jako on Tredrea all game wherever he goes. Wirrpunda on Wanganeen should be interesting and if Wirrpunda doesnt man up then Wanganeen can kick 6 - 7 and blow up the game so Wirri must do the things he does but keep checks on Wanganeen.

The game like most games will be won in the midfield and if Cousins, Fletcher, Braun all play well then we shouldnt have too many problems. Hopefully Kemp can put in some good minutes also.

With all that said i did tip Port in my tips but we can win.

 

[carb70]

Putting tall slow players in your foward line will play right into Port's hands. Ports strenght is their speed and players like Wakelin, Mead and even Paxman are disipline enough to bring the ball to ground and the last thing you want is Port to start running from their backline lines because they will destroy the Eagles.

Cornes and Tredrea are important players for Port but they are not the key to Port scoring a lot of goals. A lot of our goals come from our midfield and smaller fowards. For West Coast to win they need to dominate the midfield. This will be hard especially if Gardiner doesn't play. The players West Coast need to cut out of the game to have any chance of winning are Primus, Francou and Stevens but we just have too many midfielders that if one doesn't preform another one will.

After saying all that football is a mental game. So if Port aren't switched on and West Coast are anything could happen.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

You're a bit too confident there carb. Remember that port is still the same team that finished 14th(or so) last year. A bad start to the match and the players might fall back into their bad habits.

West Coast on the other hand is so changed that teams do not know what to expect. Against Sydney we showed we can match the best, and port are due for a loss. I feel we can win this, especially if our midfield fires, and it's about time they do aswell. It's only that long that Kemp will play bad until he plays a blinder.

With Gardiner in the ruck and Cousins, Fletcher, Braun, Kemp and Matera(heard KJ wnats to stick him on a wing) in the middle we can match your midfield no worries.

I can't see Port shutting down Wilson, Merenda and Joey. Phil will especially be hard to contain, and if he is on fire in the 1st quarter we will probably see KJ leave him 1-on-1 in the forward line, sort of Pagans paddock.

The only place where we will be beaten is in our defense. Wanganeen, Tredrea and Cornes could really hurt us. So we will probably see a shoot out between the teams, as neither can contain the others forwards both teams are likely to put their best players into attack. I wouldn't be surprised to see McIntosh rotated between FB and FF either.

 

[WCE2000]

Originally posted by carb70
players like Wakelin, Mead and even Paxman are disipline enough to bring the ball to ground

They must be discplined enough, but are they good enough, especially against either Gardiner or Cox, who will both have 2 or 3 inches on them. Which may sound like little, but it is a lot.

 

[Frodo]

Forget the talls. We will have a wet weather game. The crumbers will be extra important.