Port Power

[lozza63]

Port, we meet them in round one so I thought a quick snapshot of their team would be appropriate. NB this is not a game one discussion thread/preview rather a quick synopsis.

So won 10 of 22 finishing in 10th spot last year, their most significant victories being over St.Kilda (rd 5) Hawthorn (rd 18 significant in that the Hawks had just come off a fairly solid run of form) and 2 hard fought Derby victories!

Really many PA players fly under the radar for most Victorians (especially if one does not have foxtel) so who do I think make this side tick.

In the engine room Kane Cornes is their most prolific accumulator averaging around 27 odd disposals per game. Possibly the only criticism of Kane is his ability to really make these punishing. He is top 4 for tackles and top 3 for contested possessions. Still a vital cog at 28 no doubt.

After Kane the disposal count falls starkly away Travis Boak is next with a 23 possy average. This kid is very cool and classy in and under and critically can hurt you on the scoreboard averaged about .7 per game, number 2 in the CP and tackles he really does possess a wonderful all round game for someone not even 23!

Dom Cassisi is Mr determination personified a great leader and role model heads the club for tackles (176) and Cps (240). The only criticism about Dom is that he doesnt get it quite enough averaging 21/22 per game, also he needs to impact the scoreboard a little more (only five goals last season).

Their outside mid is Dan Pearce - up until last year one could have criticised him for not reaching his potential - last year I feel he made significant improvements in his defensive game adding to his obvious footy talent. Stats 20 touches 6th in tackling and 7th in contested possessions would have really pleased the coaches - the one area that he would now want to improve would be goal kicking only 12 last year really needs to almost double that for the Power this season.

Port will really be hoping the the likes of Hartlett (gee hope this kid catches a break soon) Salopek (his shoulders may cut short what was quite a promising career) to play 18+ games. Rodan is a real power house and very damaging once his confidence is up. Matt Thomas is a chunky fiery tagger who can and does bob up with a goal or 2. Jason Davenport does figure in the midfield rotations and can at times get serious bags of goals (4 v WCE at Easter IIRC).

Defensively Chaplin stands out - very strong re-bounding KP player with a booming kick. Carlisle strong and powerful is solid enough, and started to get more confidence with disposal last season. Port unfortunately leaked too many points (96) per game last year. Guys such as Surjan, Logan P. Stewart need to apply more defensive pressure.

The ruck division Brogan is still good, but let's just say aging - thankfully young Trengove looks to be really developing quickly as his replacement - can go forward or back and has a surprising ability to tackle and make good decisions for such a rangy kid. With Primus as coach cant see why he wont get the best of education/schooling and should improve again this season with a view to being the main big man in 2 years perhaps. Just needs a couple more strong preseasons to compete with the very best.

The forward line - this to me is really where PA need to find consistency. With Tredders (impossibly hard to replace) gone - Westhoff (17), D. Stewart (12) and Schulz (33 the only one to do so) all need to contribute an average of 25-30 each goals per game, this would take a little pressure off Ebert (30 goals) and Hitchcock (20). The young talls are admittedly still somewhat rangy and need a few more kgs to their frame.

What about Chad wonderfully tough and uncompromising player - one wonders whether he has gone one season too many - we'll see?

So people just a rough start. Maybe the Port faithful can help flesh this out properly, or correct my "assessments".

 

[DaVe86]

I doubt Chad will play R1. He looked Ok pre-season playing as a forward, however Primus was still adament he was fighting for his spot. Then he was dropped for the game against GWS where Port took their strongest side.

That said, you'd think Primus would elect for some experience against Collingwood and Chad did kick 6 goals for Glenelg on the weekend.

However, he has already indicated 3 debutants may play. Keep an eye on Pittard, Irons and O'Shae who are all in the mix. Irons in particular has been my favourite of the pre-season. I don't think Pittard is ready yet but he has just about been guaranteed a spot.


Also keep an eye out for Rodan who is returning from his 2nd LARS injury. He has looked sharp in the NAB Challenge games he has played. Always kills us.

 

[Swooop]

Port, we meet them in round one so I thought a quick snapshot of their team would be appropriate. NB this is not a game one discussion thread/preview rather a quick synopsis.


So people just a rough start. Maybe the Port faithful can help flesh this out properly, or correct my "assessments".

Rough start..that's a great start lozza, well done

I always think Cassisi is a Maxwell-like captain, with his no frills, uncompromising, hard at it approach.

 

[Papa G]

Not a bad assessment. What Port desperately needs is for Hartlett, Gray, Boak and dare I say Salopek to all have injury free seasons and add some class to our at best blue collar mid field. If these blokes can stand up, take the pressure off the likes of Cassisi, Kornes and Pearce, we might be in for a decent year. A lot rests on Brogan, if he goes down our rucks look very inexperienced. Backline, despite leaking a lot last year (mainly due to mid field to tell the truth) looks solid and the forward line actually has a lot of players capable of kicking goals, just no particular standouts.

It's all about the midfield really.

Just hope we put up a decent showing against you guys and not get totally pantsed which could sap confidence from the start.

 

[Zahki]

Rodan is the one to keep an eye on, he carved us up last year.

 

[wapower]

You'd probably want to re-think your position on Jacob Surjan and defensive pressure given he's arguably the best shutdown defender in the league now. From all reports he won't be playing in round 1 coming back from knee surgery.

The performance of Port Adelaide will be solely dictated by the midfield. If they supply the forwards with enough football the opportunity is there to score much like supporting the defenders with defensive pressure. The problem we've inherited is consistency and not just consistency within a game but consistency within a quarter.

Like Papa G said, you've got to much quality for us to deal with for the 120 minutes.

 

[Scodog10]

You'd probably want to re-think your position on Jacob Surjan and defensive pressure given he's arguably the best shutdown defender in the league now. From all reports he won't be playing in round 1 coming back from knee surgery.

Absolutely love the way Surjan goes about his business, second only to Rawlings in the league in the position he plays, so he will be a big loss for the Power!

 

[wapower]

Absolutely love the way Surjan goes about his business, second only to Rawlings in the league in the position he plays, so he will be a big loss for the Power!

He and Jackson Trengove are my unabashed binkies at Port Adelaide. No surprise for the style of play from either is it. Old school tough football with a tinge a modern flair.

The loss of Surj is a tough one for the defence but in the same token it'll expose some of our youth to AFL football whilst he's coming back through the twos. We're hopeful that it will allow us to build premiership contending depth ala the Collingwood progression since 2005.

One would think it'll be Jasper Pittard taking his role down back dependent on what Primus does with Tom Logan. I haven't seen enough of Pittard in the SANFL but the reports are he was rated for his disposal. Could be worth keeping an eye on him as a distributor.

 

[daics_35]

If Roden kills us then he will do it again becuase we dont tag players even if they have a good record over us. Him killing us will mean nothing when we beat em 50 points +.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I'm one of the biggest pessimists going around and even I can't see us winning this by less than 10 goals.

 

[Scodog10]

I'm one of the biggest pessimists going around and even I can't see us winning this by less than 10 goals.

I wouldn't underestimate the Power. They have guys like Chaplin, Carlisle and Trengove at a pinch to shut down Cloke and Dawes. They are tall up forward and with the run we're having with KPD injuries they may stretch us. Plus they have a couple of very dangerous smalls up forward in Grey and Motlop.

Also outside of last year Collingwood have a habit of being flat in round 1. 2009 loss to the Crows, 2008 very slow start against an average Fremantle, 2007 33 points down at the start of the last quarter against the Roos, 2006 6 goal loss to the Crows, 2005 5 goal loss to the Bulldogs and 2004 6 goal loss to the eventual wooden spooner. Yes I think we'll win but by a minimum 10 goals is a slight exaggeration.

 

[Swooop]

I'm one of the biggest pessimists going around and even I can't see us winning this by less than 10 goals.

Well there you go Ed, you've been trumped by Scodog, and I'm here to trump you as well!

I'm expecting Port to come out all guns blazing...like Bombers last week, we'll def be seen as the measuring stick, and teams will be very keen to see how they go, esp early in season.

Last year, i think Port jumped us in first qtr, though I think the wind was a big factor with that. Swannie dragged us back iirc.

A sluggish performance wouldn't surprise me. I know the NAB cup isn't much more than preseason trials, but we did win the GF in it, then the crap over the shocker...it possibly just may be a little deflating.

I reckon Pies by 25-35pts

 

[Swooper18]

Scodog, Our Round 1 defeats came in 2009 & 2006 against Adelaide and 2005 against the Bulldogs.
Anthony Rocca booted six goals in our victory by 26 points over Freo in 2008, while we were 25 points down against North Melbourne at Three Quarter Time in 2007 and won by three points. That came after Shannon Grant hit the post from the goal square.

 

[Jedi01]

If Roden kills us then he will do it again becuase we dont tag players even if they have a good record over us. Him killing us will mean nothing when we beat em 50 points +.

Didn't Rodan do his knee again in the pre-season?

 

[MarkT2]

I also thought I heard Rodan did his knee. I haven't heard anything since and I hope it wasn't that bad but unfortunately I think he is in real trouble.

Anyway, for us the match isn't about them it is about how we go about a premiership defense. Everyone knows what is expected. Early in the year they will all be in tune and on their game. Port have some quality on their list but they don't bat deep enough to trouble us if we are on our game - particularly in Melbourne. I expect a solid enough win and a good run early in the year.

I once heard Leigh Mathews say premiership hangovers don't start until May. I think we already know we are good enough to be in the top few teams and be very competitive come finals but we have to stay in tune during the middle 1/3rd of the season and stay relatively injury free.

 

[Papa G]

Didn't Rodan do his knee again in the pre-season?

Rodan did his knee early in the pre season, had his second Lars surgery and is phenomenonally back playing again. Aparently the recovery from the second bout of Lars surgery is much quicker because the hole in the bone where they attach it is already there and thus their is no need to recover from the bone bruising. Incredible, but I don't think you want to be making a habit of it.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Call it a hunch, but I think the boys are intending on sending a message in Round 1 that there will be no hint of a hangover this year.

Minimum 10 goals. But could be a lot uglier. Maybe 15 or so.

But hey, I've been wrong before.

 

[MarkT2]

I am really glad to hear that but I think a bit of caution in the comeback would be called for. Can't wish him anything but luck though even against us.

 

[Ed D]

Rodan had corrective sugery on his knee and is up and running again.

I think Power could put on a show, but I can't see them winning unless it's something we do, like kick poorly and give away free kicks, get injuries or something.

 

[MarkT2]

The wildcard with us is that any given week we might kick 7 to 10 behinds in a quarter of "domiance" and be made to pay.

 

[wapower]

The wildcard with us is that any given week we might kick 7 to 10 behinds in a quarter of "domiance" and be made to pay.

I wouldn't mind you guys kicking nothing but behinds for the entire 4 quarters, but that's just me .

 

[mattys123]

The wildcard with us is that any given week we might kick 7 to 10 behinds in a quarter of "domiance" and be made to pay.

No offense to Port, but we could kick 7.45 this week and would still win.

I can't see Port scoring more then about 70 points against us if Reid is back as expected, as the side will pride itself on it's defensive efforts, just like last season.

I don't think we'll "thump" Port, maybe a 6-7 goal margin, simply because it's round 1, and I want to see us "rolling" in the second half of the season, rather then on fire too early.

Port do have some of the best youngsters in the AFL, they just need some luck with injuries and form slumps from the likes of Motlop and Westhoff and they could push for a top 8-10 finish at the end of the season.

Some people are saying Port are wooden spoon chances, I just don't see it, they will win their fair share of their 12 home games (11 + an "away" showdown), so they won't finish bottom 4 even IMO.

Perfect matchup for the Pies first up, a game we should win, but by no means is it a total walkover like playing the Gold Coast, Brisbane or the Eagles in Melbourne.

 

[Ed D]

Yeah injuries have kept them down. If a player like Gray is up and about and injury free he can turn a game himsef and kick 5 goals.

 

[Scodog10]

Scodog, Our Round 1 defeats came in 2009 & 2006 against Adelaide and 2005 against the Bulldogs.
Anthony Rocca booted six goals in our victory by 26 points over Freo in 2008, while we were 25 points down against North Melbourne at Three Quarter Time in 2007 and won by three points. That came after Shannon Grant hit the post from the goal square.

Yes I said all that and we also lost to the Tigers in 04, what's your point?

We played very poorly for the majority of the match against a rather average Fremantle (Rocca kicked 3 of those 6 in the last quarter) and it unfortunately wasn't until Rusling went off injured that we started to show any fluency. Again I know that was the case against the Kanga's, they had 7 more scoring shots than us for the day and kicked the first goal of that final quarter in the first minute or so and should've won, in my mind it was one of the luckiest wins I've ever seen us have.

Outside of last year we haven't played anywhere near our best in round 1 since 2003. Even last year we were true to form in that we were horrible in round 2 against the Demons, we've traditionally been a team that starts the year off slowly but builds as the year progresses. That is simply why I don't see us blowing away the Power.

 

[Kirby]

I'm expecting a thumping.

I just can't see it being very close at all.