Kane to step up for bigger role

[portsmouth]

My sister-in-law and family live near Tokyo-Sagamihara. Unfortunately they're cows' supporters though....

 

[Groove]

I saw lost in translation last night.... does that count?

 

[PJ Power]

Regarding Sal and Dom:

The game everyone is referring to, is almost certainly the Freo match. I remember writing on the Roar of the Crowd comments board (www.portadelaidefc.com.au) that Sal's ability to stay over the ball even when being tackled really impressed me. One occasion resulted in a brilliant reflex handball in close to Kane Cornes who dribbled a goal from the pocket. It was the stuff of a very clever and mature footballer.
There is no question that he was nursed through last year. You can't possibly compare his contributions in the matches he played to other first yearers who were given far bigger roles (Goddard, Wells), simply because his gametime was so limited.
This year he may well make people really stand up and take notice.

In the corresponding Freo game from 2002, Dom made his debut, coming off the bench in the last quarter. I have just recently watched the replay and his performance was fantastic. Had you watched that game in isolation you would have been very excited about his prospects as a genuine star of the future. I whole-heartedly agree, that if he is to reach his potential as the next Scott Camporeale, now must be the time to give him an attacking role.
All tagging (and there should be a minimum of it) in 2004 should fall to RFK and Cochrane. The only exception being against Collingwood and Brisbane when clearly Carr is the best at running with Buckley and Voss.

Contrary to footy's changing style, I would love to see us go back to a more traditional way of playing certain positions especially full forward (see previous posts) and the wings. I can't understand why Mark just doesn't nominate two (maybe three) wingmen for the year. Shaun Burgoyne, Jarred Schofield and Cassisi would be mine. We have missed a consistent influence in that position since the Flash left us. Junior Burger would have a helluva bigger influence picking up 15-20 kicks and booting 2-3 goals rather than having 6 kicks and 4-5 goals (at least IMO).

 

[The Floodbuster]

I am really looking forward to see how our midfield goes this year, I think it will be a blessing Stevens is gone, I never liked his style, although last year he did lift and started to get the ball himself he was the type of player who only played well when the team was playing well, he was never a player who could ignite and turn a game like a Mcleod,Voss type. Francou will be missed but thats footy. One problem we have had over the past few years is our midfield, it has never conquered the one on one pressure, which is what finals teams play and when we have had pressure applied our old midfield has seemed to crack, an example of one team that always does this to us is Melbourne.
I think our midfield needs this overhaul, it may take a few rounds to string it together but once experience comes we will be better for it.
My main concern is our key defenders, our defence has been impeccable over the last few years but Paxman is a big hole to fill, with Wakelin our No 1 key defender I hope either Gilham or Thurstans can live up to their expectations and fill Paxman's shoes. I think the club also is wary about this by chucking CC up back, it is not often you see a key forward taken back to defence. Now White has some big shoes to fill, I reckon he can have an impact up forward just needs to keep fit, if he doesn't make it, and CC goes back forward the CHB role would most probably go to Thurstans.

 

[Portia]

Even though they're not gorillas, at least it seems that we've recruited some real backmen in Gilham and Pettigrew so that should help with the Paxman void.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

And according to today's tiser both - as well as Chaplin - are up for selection for Saturday's game.

White, RFK and Mahoney are also in the mix, so 6 new faces could be on show against Geelong (mind u there is a 8 man interchange and a few regulars will be no shows).