So far so good, but only time will tell if they're the real deal.
Port Adelaide. The real deal or pretenders?
- Thread starter Old Man Jenkins
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- Sep 20, 2016
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Big chance for mine.
Have them 3rd seed behind Pies & Lions.
Have them 3rd seed behind Pies & Lions.
Old Man Jenkins
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Port played terrible against Richmond and still won. In previous years under Hinkley, they would have lost that game, along with the Melbourne game the previous week.
Until we get a big gorilla defender and possibly a better ruck, we are at risk against certain teams.
Lycett can do a job, but is vulnerable at times. Has cost us too often in big games.
Aliir does a good job when given the freedom to intercept. We have nobody else to play on the big tall forwards though. It's all well and good when our midfield is on top, but if they get beaten and we come up against Curnow and McKay, Hipwood and Daniher, Hawkins and Cameron etc. it will be a bloodbath.
The game against Essendon was a classic example, where our midfield were soundly beaten early on - we were lucky that Essendon didn't have dominant forwards to push the dagger in.
Lycett can do a job, but is vulnerable at times. Has cost us too often in big games.
Aliir does a good job when given the freedom to intercept. We have nobody else to play on the big tall forwards though. It's all well and good when our midfield is on top, but if they get beaten and we come up against Curnow and McKay, Hipwood and Daniher, Hawkins and Cameron etc. it will be a bloodbath.
The game against Essendon was a classic example, where our midfield were soundly beaten early on - we were lucky that Essendon didn't have dominant forwards to push the dagger in.
Our midfield is carrying us. The pressure they're putting on the ball carrier is allowing our defence to cover, and the sheer number of inside 50's is allowing our forward line to score enough to win. The forward line is obviously very undermanned right now, so I don't have too many long term concerns there.
But defensively, we are at full fitness and still highly vulnerable.
The % is telling.
My guess is they will probably be top 4 but I don't think they're much of a chance of rolling either the Lions or Pies away. So need to keep winning and get top 2 and hope someone knocks the Pies out before the GF.
My guess is they will probably be top 4 but I don't think they're much of a chance of rolling either the Lions or Pies away. So need to keep winning and get top 2 and hope someone knocks the Pies out before the GF.
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I think Port play hard footy in the guts. That's finals winning footy, and they have enough talent too, they just rely more on system than chaos where talent shines.
Always liked Hinkley as a coach, and thought the reaction to the Pies loss was bizarre, those games happen and it was round 2 FFS. We were the same vs Brisbane.
A much more even side than Brissie, their burning best is not as good as the Lions at their best, but Port play better away which is crucial with the absurd Viccentric finals and I feel like they don't drop their bundles.
Everyone needs luck to win but Port are very reliable and need less luck than almost everyone. Top 4 for mine: didn't have them there preseason but they win away which for non Vics matters so much.
Always liked Hinkley as a coach, and thought the reaction to the Pies loss was bizarre, those games happen and it was round 2 FFS. We were the same vs Brisbane.
A much more even side than Brissie, their burning best is not as good as the Lions at their best, but Port play better away which is crucial with the absurd Viccentric finals and I feel like they don't drop their bundles.
Everyone needs luck to win but Port are very reliable and need less luck than almost everyone. Top 4 for mine: didn't have them there preseason but they win away which for non Vics matters so much.
Ken has managed to blow pole position in a season so many times, we supporters won’t believe he can deliver a flag until and unless it happens.
You guys were very much the exception.
Quote me when Port dominates september and I'll admit defeat (unless they significantly boost their % before).
this is what keeps us up at night
Old Man Jenkins
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Carlton and St Kilda were both 8-3 this time last year. Do you think Port are similar to those sides, or do you think they're the real deal?
I know Port supporters are keeping a lid on it as they remember missing finals in 2018 after being 11-4, but something about them feels different this year.
Geelong and Sydney declining this year has made the top 4 race interesting. It feels similar to 2017 where the declines of the 2016 grand finalists opened up the top 4 race.
Ken Hinkley has to be under as much pressure as Mark Williams was in 2004 too. It felt like only a flag would save Williams that year and it should be the same for Hinkley this year. Clarkson in 2013 was similar too where it felt as though only a flag would save him.
- Oct 3, 2008
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Keep winning but it's just not that impressive.
But that's all you need to do at this stage.
Setting themselves up well.
But that's all you need to do at this stage.
Setting themselves up well.
On current form, they won't threaten the premiership. These small wins will be great for making the top 4, but don't really impress when it comes to the flag.
Of course, they may pick up some steam as the season progresses.
Of course, they may pick up some steam as the season progresses.
I stated after round 5 that Port were in it up to their necks this year. Their start to the season was more difficult than anyone's, and with 6 further wins on the trot since then, that assessment has been trumped.
'Wins not that impressive'.... we heard that about Collingwood all of last year.
After Collingwood and Brisbane, they are the next best team in it (and they've already beaten Brisbane comfortably this year).
Mop
Not anymore
Port, when they're on, are the second best team in the league (behind a full cylinder Collingwood). Dynamic, explosive and dangerous. Weak in the ruck with Lycett's form having fallen off a cliff and lacking a top tier defender their only two weaknesses.
More than an outside chance for the premiership if they can not drop the soft games that they did early in the season. Finding form now when others are dropping off.
More than an outside chance for the premiership if they can not drop the soft games that they did early in the season. Finding form now when others are dropping off.
You had to be a damn good team to beat them, that's for sure.
Port have some interesting games for the rest of the season.
Based on their draw they should make top 4 but it will come down to the following:
Bulldogs at Marvel
Geelong at KP (hard for every team except GWS, why is that a thing?)
Adelaide at AO
Essendon at the MCG
Collingwood at AO
They go 3-2 in those and they should be fine (one of the losses will be to the Crows for sure).
They are the real deal though, however Marshall needs to have a strong back half, Aliir cannot get injured and they should probably avoid a home prelim final.
Based on their draw they should make top 4 but it will come down to the following:
Bulldogs at Marvel
Geelong at KP (hard for every team except GWS, why is that a thing?)
Adelaide at AO
Essendon at the MCG
Collingwood at AO
They go 3-2 in those and they should be fine (one of the losses will be to the Crows for sure).
They are the real deal though, however Marshall needs to have a strong back half, Aliir cannot get injured and they should probably avoid a home prelim final.
- Mar 4, 2015
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This.
We really arent playing an attractive game, but we're getting the 'W's.
Still dont think its our year but if we get deep in September and it suddenly clicks, we may give it a real shake.
Winning without a forward line is impressive. But we’ll need Marshall and Dixon to hit some sort of form
Shane Heard
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Port should sign up Kenny right now for another 4 years.
They are set for a dynasty of success and Ken is the architect of it.
Coach of the year already.
They are set for a dynasty of success and Ken is the architect of it.
Coach of the year already.
Losing to Collingwood & Adelaide are regarded as soft games to you? Yes we got out of jail against some soft sides but most games we won have been against hard fought teams.
Every team will have a lull point during the season. Collingwood hasn't yet but has been aided by numerous MCG games which could mask issues that haven't surfaced yet. Lucky for them, their entire finals series is likely to be played at the MCG.
We will drop games soon as we have a much harder fixture to come but banking these wins early means we can reset for August & September.
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