Lets be realistic

[The Clokes]

Who’s going to win the Premiership?

I hate to say it… But I reckon Port Adelaide.

 

[hotpie]

Depends who gets second spot. Port are not much better than the next five teams below tham but they deserve to start mild favorites. They will miss Primus.

 

[ClintEastwood]

Three games better than the pack, actually.

 

[hotpie]

Originally posted by Pred
Three games better than the pack, actually.

That was my point. They are not three games better, IMO. Its much closer than that, especially without Primus.

 

[Portia]

Originally posted by hotpie
That was my point. They are not three games better, IMO. Its much closer than that, especially without Primus.

Even though there isn't anyone in the pack that we haven't beaten this year?

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Porthos
Even though there isn't anyone in the pack that we haven't beaten this year?

Who have you beaten in finals experience?

 

[grayham]

Originally posted by Porthos
Even though there isn't anyone in the pack that we haven't beaten this year?

To win a flag you'll have to beat them away from home at the MCG.
Hows your form away to
Collingwood, Essendon, Brisbane and Sydney who would all enjoy "home" ground advantage against you?
Not to mention neutral WC and Freo's.

 

[gbear]

Originally posted by hotpie
That was my point. They are not three games better, IMO. Its much closer than that, especially without Primus.

One could disagree with this as the Port Adelaide of this year has much more depth and has continued to win games, eventhough they have had between 4 and 9 key players out injured from last year's side most games. Not forgetting we have had our captain and last years number 1 ruckman out of our team for almost two thirds of the season as well as the runner up in the brownlow Josh Francou out for all but one and half games.
If Collingwood were to have suffered the same number of injuries to their list as Port have had this season they would be ailing somewhere between 9th and 11th position. Port has showed that they have great depth when it comes to their list.

 

[TheMase]

Originally posted by grayham
To win a flag you'll have to beat them away from home at the MCG.
Hows your form away to
Collingwood, Essendon, Brisbane and Sydney who would all enjoy "home" ground advantage against you?
Not to mention neutral WC and Freo's.

Port Adelaides MCG record - 4 wins, 11 losses

Collingwood @ MCG - 1 win, 1 loss
Essendon @ MCG - 1 win, 1 loss

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Zeke
Who have you beaten in finals experience?

I've never quoted myself before, but I believe it's a valid point.

 

[hotpie]

Originally posted by Porthos
Even though there isn't anyone in the pack that we haven't beaten this year?

Thats why you will be favorites. But a team with a three game break on the pack should be odds on. You won't be.

 

[Strider]

Hows our form against them away? We've beaten them all away this year except Collingwood who we only played at footy park. Beat Sydney and Essendon away last season also.

I wish Port WOULD get some finals in Melbourne. We've lost 2 close finals at footy park, and been smashed twice in brisbane. a final at the mcg would make a nice change.

 

[ClintEastwood]

Originally posted by grayham

Collingwood, Essendon, Brisbane and Sydney who would all enjoy "home" ground advantage against you?

Are you implying that the MCG is like a home ground for Brisbane and Sydney? That's a bit rich!

Also, if you think this is the same Port as last year, you don't know much about the team or club.

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Zeke
Who have you beaten in finals experience?

Um... Does anyone know the answer to this question?

 

[ClintEastwood]

Originally posted by Zeke
Um... Does anyone know the answer to this question?

In the PAST we have beaten Essendon.

And your point, Einstein?

 

[ImperialPurple]

Originally posted by hotpie
Depends who gets second spot. Port are not much better than the next five teams below tham but they deserve to start mild favorites. They will miss Primus.

They will miss Primus, but when you think that they are 3 games clear at the top, and the next 7 are separated by only one game, you'd have to say they are the best side in the competition and will start as favourites.
There will be pressure to shake off the "choker" tag, and this will no doubt increase the number of errors and clangers, but will also increase the intensity.
They should win, but if they don't you would think that the choker tag will be with them for a very long time....

 

[understudy]

Originally posted by Pred
Three games better than the pack, actually.

fair enough, bookies have you favourities but that means jack hey.

qualifying final starts at 0-0

Good luck

 

[ClintEastwood]

Originally posted by understudy
fair enough, bookies have you favourities but that means jack hey.

qualifying final starts at 0-0

Good luck

True, true, and thanks

Who do you follow?

 

[hotpie]

Originally posted by ImperialPurple

They should win, but if they don't you would think that the choker tag will be with them for a very long time....

They have painted themselves into a corner where they MUST win a flag this year or be labelled as chronic underperformers. After three years of clearly being the best home and away side in the comp, they need a Premiership to make the past three years worth anything at all.

 

[understudy]

Originally posted by The Clokes
Who’s going to win the Premiership?

I hate to say it… But I reckon Port Adelaide.

couldnt say myself.

will know more after this round and the next

but even still compeletely open and would not rule out underdogs getting up in finals

all port have earned is the right to a home qualifying final

 

[understudy]

Originally posted by Pred
True, true, and thanks

Who do you follow?

Collingwood!

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Pred
In the PAST we have beaten Essendon.

And your point, Einstein?

Ah.. Ok. So you have one solitary finals victory.

All I'm saying is that finals football is a different kettle of fish. In other words, don't count your premiership chickens before they hatch.

 

[Lockyer24]

Sydney or Port.

 

[TheMase]

Originally posted by Pred
Are you implying that the MCG is like a home ground for Brisbane and Sydney? That's a bit rich!

Also, if you think this is the same Port as last year, you don't know much about the team or club.

I do think he mean in terms of support. In fact he probably would be right, as both Brisbane and Sydney have fantastic support at the MCG.

Although Sydney's and Brisbane's records on the MCG are quite impressive for an away team.

Sydney has won 5 of their last 10 at the MCG.

Brisbane has won 6 of their last 10 at the MCG including their last 5 matches.

Port has won 4 of their 15 matches at the MCG. (including 3 out of their last 10)

 

[ClintEastwood]

Originally posted by hotpie
After three years of clearly being the best home and away side in the comp

Last year Port were not clearly the best H&A team. The minor premiership was decided in the last 10 seconds of the season. And the year before we didn't even finish top.

Brisbane are the best H&A team over the last 2 years. Port are the best in 2003.