Our side round 1

Andre

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In an effort to take my mind off the gut wrenching news about Josh I've been occupying my mind with how we should line up round 1 minus his presence and the likely absence still of James.

My team :

FF : Lade White S. Burgoyne
HF : C. Cornes Tredrea Pickett
1R : Brogan P. Burgoyne Ebert
C: Dew Carr Wilson
HB : Montgomery Bishop Poulton
FB : Wanganeen Wakelin Hardwick

Int : Thurstans Primus K. Cornes Salopek

Forward line looks as potent as ever. Dew on a wing so his long kicking can be used instead of 'buried' near goal.

Carr, Wilson and Ebert provide plenty of in and under skills and toughness in the centre. No players tagging. For all the talk about how we are screwed a starting midfield six (including ruckman) of Brogan, P. Burgoyne, Ebert, Dew, Carr and Wilson is a good plenty of toughness, in and under players, flash skills, experience and youth.

Defence is a bit old - rotate K. Cornes and Thurstans into it not long after play starts. Hardwick only to get a game as always does well against his old side and don't want to blood too many youngsters at once. Otherwise a back up player for the year.

And now for the depressing part - how I think Choco will line them up :

FF : Dew Primus S. Burgoyne
HF : C. Cornes Tredrea Pickett
1R : Brogan P. Burgoyne Schofield
C : K. Cornes Carr Cochrane
HB : Wilson Bishop Forster-Knight
FB : Wanganeen Wakelin Kingsley

Int : Thurstans Salopek Montgomery Poulton


With Kingsley and RFK in the side, Ebert not. Cochrane and K. Cornes tagging us into trying to 'not lose our way to 4 points' as per usual. Poulton not given the start on the ground as usual.
 

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Macca19

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I have no problem with RFK or Mahoney being in the side for Round 1.

It makes sense that Mahoney was drafted just in case this happened so its now his time to be given a shot and for all we know he may end up a solid performer.

I also have no troubles with RFK being in the backline in Round 1.

People should give these guys at least a chance to play some sort of football for us before bagging them.
 

Russian

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#4
B: Stephen Gilham, Toby Thurstans, Gavin Wanganeen
HB: Jared Poulton, Darryl Wakelin, Brett Montgomery
C: Kane Cornes, Josh Carr, Domenic Cassisi
HF: Chad Cornes, Warren Tredrea, Byron Pickett
F: Shaun Burgoyne, Brendon Lade, Steven Salopek
1R: Matthew Primus, Peter Burgoyne, Michael Wilson
Int: Dean Brogan, Brett Ebert, Stuart Dew, Damien Hardwick
Em: Damon White, Jarrad Schofield, Josh Mahoney

* Bad luck to Brogan but Primus had to start if just for his leadership and Lade is the best option up forward. Good problem to have.
* Considered a few arrangements of tall defenders - thought about White up forward with Cornes at CHB, Wakelin at FB and Thurstans in the back pocket; considered Bishop for the back pocket; but Gilham appears to have put in a lot of work to get his body up to AFL standard and deserves a shot.
* Went with the experience of Carr, Burgoyne, Wilson in the middle. 2 of them are capable of doing tagging roles. Rotate with Cornes, Ebert, Salopek, Cassisi, Burgoyne.
* Back pocket still a weakness so I've got Gav back there with Poults and Monty on the flanks. Could switch with Burgoyne in the forward pocket.
* Don't take too much notice of Lade at full forward, our setups in recent years generally have 3-4 players playing out of the goal square. He's just one of the tall forward options.
* Dew, Hardwick and Schofield fought it out for 2 spots on the bench. I was probably a bit harsh on Kingsley, Cochrane, RFK, Hall to not get them in the 25.
* Had to pick my buddy, but only as an emergency ;)
 

Portia

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#5

What I would like...

F.....S. Burgoyne...D. White.......S. Salopek
HF....C. Cornes.....W. Tredrea.....P. Burgoyne
C.....S. Dew........J. Carr........B. Ebert
HB....M. Wilson.....T. Thurstans...M. Bishop
B.....J. Poulton....D. Wakelin.....G. Wanganeen
Ruck..D. Brogan.....M. Wilson......B. Pickett
Int: Primus, Hardwick, K. Cornes, B. Montgomery

What I expect...

F.....S. Dew........D. White.......B. Lade
HF....S. Burgoyne...W. Tredrea.....B. Pickett
C.....K. Cornes.....J. Carr........D. Cassisi
HB....D. Hardwick...C. Cornes......B. Montgomery
B.....G. Wanganeen..D. Wakelin.....R. Forster-Knight
Ruck..D. Brogan.....M. Wilson......P. Burgoyne
Int: M. Primus, A. Kingsley, M. Bishop, S. Salopek
 

Russian

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#6
Originally posted by Porthos
What I expect...

F.....S. Dew........D. White.......B. Lade
HF....S. Burgoyne...W. Tredrea.....B. Pickett
C.....K. Cornes.....J. Carr........D. Cassisi
HB....D. Hardwick...C. Cornes......B. Montgomery
B.....G. Wanganeen..D. Wakelin.....R. Forster-Knight
Ruck..D. Brogan.....M. Wilson......P. Burgoyne
Int: Primus, K. Cornes, M. Bishop, S. Salopek
We have 2 K.Cornes? ;)
 

mic59

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#10
Originally posted by Macca19
I have no problem with RFK or Mahoney being in the side for Round 1.

It makes sense that Mahoney was drafted just in case this happened so its now his time to be given a shot and for all we know he may end up a solid performer.

I also have no troubles with RFK being in the backline in Round 1.

People should give these guys at least a chance to play some sort of football for us before bagging them.

I agree, but this doesn't happen. There are some parts of the AAMI crowd, I will not say Port supporters, who have been bagging our players since day 1. A particular case in point; while I agree Adam Kingsley's 2003 was not his best a few surrounding me have been giving him heaps since that 1997 game against Brisbane at AAMI when he twice kicked to Justin Leppitsch when in the clear. And there are other players who have not been given a fair go by the crowd. Bishop, Wakelin, Kane and Chad Cornes, Cockatoo-Collins even in 2001 to name a few.

Opinions are a fine thing to have off the field but once the players have shown enough of themselves to be selected they deserve our unwavering support at least for the two hours they are on it.
 

PAfolwr

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#11
I have no problem with us choosing either RFK or Mahoney.

The little I have seen of RFK shows a player that is hard at it and a hard worker. The first time or two I got to see him play made me think that he could be a future star. Obviously that is not quite the case as he got delisted, so I'll wait and see.

I also have no problem with Mahoney, as he obviously has worked his @rse off since being dropped and as such has earned another shot. Who knows, maybe now we will see the potential that he obviously had in the first place that made people draft him.

So hopefully they both will have a long and successful career with our Club.

I will NOT have a problem if they turn out to be Jo average , as not all punts work out. We do have a long list, albeit not overly experienced, and the timing for such a punt was right.

BUT
I WILL be very something or other if they turn out to be Jo average and keep getting games ahead of our youngsters. Thus denying them the experience they should be getting (again).
 

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evo

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#12
G,day--I have Port Adelaide as my Fantasy football team.I was just picking my starting 22 and thought I'd check how the supportors picked there team.

I noticed none of you have included R.James in your starting 22.
I thought he was one of your better players. at least on the stats sheet.Is there any reason no one likes him,injured?
 

Arsene Wenger

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#13
Roger is currently our no 1 midfielder in my eyes, but he is unlikely to start the season due to off season groin surgery and ongoing problems with it.

We all love him dont u worry, hel be in our best side no doubt bout that
 

mic59

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#15
This would be my favoured round 1 team. Note that I have written favoured, I don't believe Port will start this way at all.

F. Pickett, C.Cornes, Dew
HF. S.Burgoyne, Tredrea, Salopek
C. Schofield, Carr, Kingsley
HB. Montgomery, Wakelin, Wanganeen
B. Wilson, Thurstans, Bishop

1R . Brogan, K.Cornes, P.Burgoyne

INT. Primus, Cassisi, Lade, Hardwick

Lots of possible changes here. For instance, Hardwick could start and Wanganeen could play forward or back pocket. If forward, Salopek is on the bench. If back pocket, Bishop or Thurstans. S.Burgoyne or Dew could play wing, moving Kingsley to(I hope) the bench for midfield rotation. But more probably into defence. Hopefully his summer fitness regime has improved his decision-making too.
Again, full-forward will not be a realistic position, unless S.Burgoyne is named there, in which case he will otherwise kick 4 or 5 goals or be a waste of space.
The only players we have who has played CHB in AFL afe C.Cornes and Wakelin and I expect Wakelin to be given the nod there. Bishop and Thurstans have played CHB in SANFL and Wizard Cup but I can't see that happening in round 1. Unless one of them shows something outstanding in this years preseason.
Three big men could be questionable, but with the loss of Francou it has started to seem likely Mark Williams will plump for a bit of experience. Lade could be one who starts on the field in a forward position.
The only KPP who is a definite is Tredrea. It's very likely Pickett and S.Burgoyne will play forward but exactly where is anyones' guess. The same with Schofield and Carr, they will play midfield but in Carr's case he may be in the ruck and Schofield may start on the bench.
I haven't as yet considered RFK and Mahoney as I haven't seen them and would have no idea where they should play. Going by the coaches comments it seems very likely at least one if not both will be in the R1 lineup. If they succeed, great. If they keep the younger players out because they have played AFL and don't do anything I will not be pleased. Giving Pickett 7 games grace last year was one thing, he was a known champion. These guys were both delisted, if they don't come up to scratch they go to the SANFL to prove themselves.
Although I do not accept, and probably never will, that a totally negative player like Cochrane should be in our side; as round 1 is against Essendon and Hird did nothing in the semi-final I think he will get a run. It was weather, injury and the others who beat him but Choco thinks the world of Cochrane. Choco is a bit like former England manager Graham Taylor in this, he rewards work rate over excellence.
Ebert will be in that side soon but I can't see it happening in round 1. Maybe against Hawthorn or the Western Bulldogs, both of whom are pretty unnacountable teams and as such good for a young player to make his debut.
 

Macca19

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Moderator #16
I cant beleive so few people have put Schofield in the team...not even on the bench.

Considering there is no N Stevens anymore, and without Francou for the year and James for at least 5 weeks, that Schofield - coming off his best and most consistent year - would be one of, if not the first picked player in the midfield.

Unless he is injured or shows ridiculously poor pre season form where he fails to gain a possesion in 5 games, then i will be pretty annoyed if he isnt a major part of our midfield in round 1.

Now that Nick isnt there anymore the no.1 outside midfielder role would just about be his i would have thought.

Its all good people saying we have to look for the future and that Schofield is expendable, but starting a midfield without Stevens, James, Francou and Schofield as the mainstays last year would just be stupid.
 

PJ Power

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#17
Et tu,Porthos?

Mic and Macca would seem to be the only two here (at a glance) who have even considered Schofield. OK, I admit he should not be the first midfielder chosen, even with Josh and Stevens out, but the guy's not that bad. I think he would give us more run off the wing than Dewy, whose last 20+ possession game I can't recall.

My team:
F: Primus, White, Dew
HF: Pickett, Tredrea, Salopek
C: Schofield, Carr, S. Burgoyne
HB: Wanganeen, C. Cornes, Montgomery
FB: Thurstans, Wakelin, Poulton

1R: Brogan, Wilson, P. Burgoyne
Int: K. Cornes, Kingsley, Lade, Ebert

TCI: James

Notable absentees: Bishop (pending Cornes and White experiments), Hardwick, Cochrane, RFK, Cassisi

Notable "ins": Kingsley (if he is as fit as they say, then a role in the midfield beckons), Poulton (must play BP to enable Wilson to reclaim his on-ball commission), White (at FF, will provide a different type of alternative to Tredders, than does Cornesy)
 
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Moderator #18
Like good Sir Robin in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I'll bravely run away from this debate ... but a few observations as I retreat ...

I expect White to play, probably as part of a two pronged centre half forward set up with Tredrea, and a ruckman, Lade or Brogan in the square. This releases Cornes to go to CHB which Choco has been suggesting he'll do. Three smalls around them, but the mix is anyone's guess. Pickett and Jnr Burgs would be short priced to start there.

If Primus is fit he'd be my starting ruckman. He's a better ruckman than Lade and Brogan still, and he's being doing all the training. And of course he's a great on field leader. Remember he was out there rucking when we beat Brisbane in Brisbane.

Ebert is in a race against time to get a starting berth. He still isn't doing competitive training and the Wiz Cup starts in 3 weeks. Choco already loves Salopek and he is doing competitive work, so he'll be in the mix.

Schofield is a must play. He's one of our few, maybe only, onballer whose first instinct is to run lines and kick long into the F50. He caught both Essendon and Collingwood out a few times in the finals when they went to cover the short pass and he backed Tredrea or Lade one out in the goals. Like Macca said - a monty for the Stevens role.

As for Mahoney ... well I used to chortle at Tony Woods at Hawthorn until the final in 2001 when I saw how effective a solid bodied, hard in and under midfielder was at dismantling our intricate centre square set ups. Don't write off the slogging foot soldier just yet, especially one with something to prove.

... ok a few hours later I've decided to try and be more like Sir Lancelot the Bold ...

F: Pickett, Lade, Salopek
HF: White, Tredrea, S Burgoyne
C: Dew, Carr, Cassisi
HB: Wanganeen, C Cornes, Montgomery
B: Wakelin, Thurstans, Wilson
R: Primus, Schofield, P Burgoyne
I: Brogan, Cochrane, Poulton, K Cornes

That's a few HBFs on the bench ... given Wiz Cup form, one could go to make way for an on baller. That would usually be the desperately unlucky Poults, especially if Cochrane is required to smother someone .... hmmm maybe Hird? That could bring in Mahoney, given his experience and VFL rep as a goal scoring midfielder.
 

Portia

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#19
Originally posted by PJ Power
Et tu,Porthos?

Mic and Macca would seem to be the only two here (at a glance) who have even considered Schofield. OK, I admit he should not be the first midfielder chosen, even with Josh and Stevens out, but the guy's not that bad. I think he would give us more run off the wing than Dewy, whose last 20+ possession game I can't recall.
I just don't find Schofield to be a particularly important player to the side. I can't recall him winning a game off his own boot, and I'd struggle to think of a BOG.

Half-forward is a pretty traditional position to give young midfielders a run at. If you want to make a case for Schoey off the half-back line, sure, but as a half-forward he doesn't have the goal return you'd want, or the sort of penetrating impact you'd want.

He's OK, but I don't see us losing a lot without him in the side.
 

Macca19

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Moderator #20
Originally posted by Porthos
I just don't find Schofield to be a particularly important player to the side. I can't recall him winning a game off his own boot, and I'd struggle to think of a BOG.

Half-forward is a pretty traditional position to give young midfielders a run at. If you want to make a case for Schoey off the half-back line, sure, but as a half-forward he doesn't have the goal return you'd want, or the sort of penetrating impact you'd want.

He's OK, but I don't see us losing a lot without him in the side.
Id say his 29 possesion West End Medal winning Showdown game in 2002 was as good a BOG as youll find considering it was a game we werent supposed to win.

If he is out of the side then we go in with too many inexperienced players out of the side. Its all well and good to say lets start Cassisi, Sala, Ebert etc. but what good will it do? With our midfield already in tatters, i cant see what not playing one of our most consistent experienced midfielders in the opening rounds in games we HAVE to win considering are draw will do.

Of the midfielders available for ROund 1 he is the second most experienced. Who fills the role of Stevens if its not Schofield? With no Stevens, James and Schofield, I cant think of one ready made ball winning running midfielder that we have in our side.

If Francou and James were fit and ready to play you may have a point in saying that Schofield doesnt bring anything in a side....but they arent fit and Schofield is the only proven forward attacking midfielder weve got, not to mention he would be our safest kick to Tredrea & co up forward.
 

PAfolwr

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#21
I am one of the ones saying that it's time to start phasing out Schofield, and I'll stick to it.
Last year, when he came back into the side, he immediately gave us that drive and penetration that had been missing prior to his return. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
However that is because Choco was playing a midfield of taggers and receivers only. Had he been playing a different style of midfield then IMO his return would not have been so noticeable.
Now if we are going to make room for Ebert, Salopeck and Cassisi who do we phase out?
IMO it's got to be out of Francou, James, Carr, K. Cornes and Schofield.

As far as round one is concerned. I am not sure what team I would like to see out there. Hopefully it will be full of new faces that have done well in the Wiz Cup.

What I would like to see come finals time, is a midfield that includes Ebert, Salopeck, K. Cornes, Cassisi, James and Carr. (That is 6 already)
A forward line with Cornes, Tredrea and White,
A backline with Splinter and Thurstans. Wakelin back to being the floating third tall, and definitely no Kingsley back here.

Not worried about the short forwards or backs as we have a lot of brilliant ones.
 

Macca19

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Moderator #22
Originally posted by PAfolwr

Now if we are going to make room for Ebert, Salopeck and Cassisi who do we phase out?
IMO it's got to be out of Francou, James, Carr, K. Cornes and Schofield.
Sure. Consdiering Francou and James arent in the mix at all and for the first 6 rounds respectively it means Schofield has to be played.

From where i sit our midfield minus Stevens, James, Francou and Schofield is a bloody poor and extremely inexperienced one. Considering a draw where we have to be at least top 2 at the halfway mark and cant afford to lose any of our home games considering just about all our run home is away games then an experienced midfield as possible is neccessary in the opening games.

I just think given hes coming off his best year of AFL football and was a darn good player last year, its mighty unfair that most people arent even considering him for a spot on the bench this year.
 

Macca19

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Moderator #24
Originally posted by Porthos
I think we considered him for the bench, but decided against it.

Do you really think Schofield's 2003 was that good? 2001, certainly, was a top year, but I don't reckon he's backed it up to the same degree.
Yes i thought his 2003 was that good. His first half of the year was excellent. His second half of the year was still very good.

He was more consistent than in any other year.

In reality, Ebert hasnt played at AFL level, Salopek has shown glimpses that he could be a very good player but he still has plenty of negatives in his game (like his non existant tackling skills), Hall has done nothing at AFL level, we all would like S Burgoyne in the middle but hes played little to no time their before and Cassisi has played well as a tagger but not much to suggest he will be a 20 disposal a game player this year like Schofield is, Wilson hasnt played midfield since about 99, Kingsley the same.

If we fail to play Schofield, thats too many experienced players out of the side for my liking for round 1. We cant put too much responsibility on these young kids...as a few people around here like to point out every so often - remember 2000.

My midfield would look like this round 1:

R: Primus, P Burgoyne, Wilson
C: Cassisi, Carr, Schofield

That leaves S Burgoyne up forward, Salopek to a flank and Ebert on the bench.
 
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#25
Schofield will certainly be in the team until we have James back in the team and then it will be interesting to see if Salopek and/or Ebert have claimed a spot as well.

I'm not going to name a side just yet but I would like to see as many of the youngsters and non starting regulars given plenty of match time in the pre-season.

I would like to see Junior Burger get some time on the half back flank this year possibly swapping with Wanganeen in the forward line with occasional runs in the middle as well.
 
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