Port v Carlton review

[Macca19]

I know its pre season and the match means nothing but jesus christ that pi$$ed me off no end. We played the single most pathetic gameplan ive ever seen. It was alright going into the wind...but i dont see the point, with a 5 goal breeze at your back, to chip the ball along the boundary like your kicking into a tornado in torrential rain. We had a huge breeze in the last quarter, and everytime we got the ball we'd go for the boundary. What the hell is the point of that.

And it wasnt just the gameplan that was pathetic. We looked really awful. Yet again, we had absolutely no forward line to speak of. The ball just came rebounding out of our forward line all night long with no pressure at all. For the third time in a row our midfield was beaten and put minimal pressure on their opponents. Our defence was alright except for Paxman who got given a bath by Whitnall in the second half.

I know its only pre season but it really annoyed the crap out of me tonight. Its not like we were out of the game either. We were 2 1/2 goals up midway thru the last quarter and Carlton got the ball out the centre 4 times in a row and kicked 4 goals.

There was minimal use of the bench all night long as well, with only Brogan and Cassisi getting any sort of gametime off the bench.

Of our players...Wanganeen was our best player by so much its not really worth mentioning anyone else. Dew kicked 4 goals and played well, Brogan did alright, Monty looked alright, Nick Stevens played very well but thats about it.

 

[Thrawn]

Any standouts from the Carlton camp? Any young players that stood up? How did Kouta go? Most importantly however... what's the situation on McKernan and Campo? Did their injuries look serious?

 

[Rats Tossbag]

It was a total nothing game skills were down on both sides and no one really seemed to try too hard did they.

 

[Rats Tossbag]

Originally posted by Thrawn
Any standouts from the Carlton camp? Any young players that stood up? How did Kouta go? Most importantly however... what's the situation on McKernan and Campo? Did their injuries look serious?

Yeah Barnaby was a standout for your team
McKernan just copped a knock to the knee and was probably just rested for precautionry reasons.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by Thrawn
Any standouts from the Carlton camp? Any young players that stood up? How did Kouta go? Most importantly however... what's the situation on McKernan and Campo? Did their injuries look serious?

Kouta played very well i thought. One of your better players.

Didnt really take much notice of anyone else. Of your youngsters i thought Waite looked the most impressive. Got a lot of the ball, especially in the last half and was one of the main reasons you got back into the game in the last quarter.

 

[blackdiamond]

Macca I thought we were wrapping you in cotton wool for a few weeks!

 

[Mudholian]

Anyone getting worried yet?
Some "experts" are now talking up the fact that the injury list is long, the list itself is getting on, and there might be a bit of self doubt after doing so well in the minor round last year and blowing a good shot at a flag.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by Scott
Macca I thought we were wrapping you in cotton wool for a few weeks!

I decided to go and sit out in the cold. Waste of time

 

[Portia]

Originally posted by Macca19
I decided to go and sit out in the cold. Waste of time

At least you've got your health. Oh, wait..

 

[Port1978]

Originally posted by Macca19
I know its pre season and the match means nothing but jesus christ that pi$$ed me off no end. We played the single most pathetic gameplan ive ever seen. It was alright going into the wind...but i dont see the point, with a 5 goal breeze at your back, to chip the ball along the boundary like your kicking into a tornado in torrential rain. We had a huge breeze in the last quarter, and everytime we got the ball we'd go for the boundary. What the hell is the point of that.

Sounds pretty much like what happened last week.

 

[Grave Danger]

Originally posted by Mudholian
Anyone getting worried yet?

I'd been consoling myself with the fact that our round one opponents hadn't been in great shape either after they were flogged by the Blonde Rinsers at Subi last week, but now they've beaten the Dees in Melbourne they will have restored some confidence.

Just remember that we lost the first two matches last year and not many after that...

 

[Eddie Woloschek]

We lost the first two last season after winning every game in the pre-season. We played OK against the theatregoers but seem to have lost interest since - a bit like the Port fandom, methinks.

This pre-season is the most boring in memory.

Can't wait for the real stuff to begin, but the first few might be a bit tough with a depleted list.

How did Salopek go last night?

 

[Nod]

Originally posted by Thrawn
Any standouts from the Carlton camp? Any young players that stood up? How did Kouta go?

You would have been happy with quite a few young players:
Trent Sporn, Jarrad Waite, Simon Wiggins and Bret Thornton. Of the older guys Kouta, Whitnall and Beaumont were all excellent.

 

[Nod]

I left the game thinking how important Tredrea is to us and how many players feed off him.

Of the non regular/new players I thought only Brogan, Pickett and Salopec have put their hand up for round 1 selection (Brogan round 2). Possible Cochrane as well.

I was disappointed in:
Lade - can't take a mark in a pack
Thurstans - too timid and handballed when should have kicked
S Burgoyne - playing like his head has grown
Hall - missed a goal he should have got. not taking his opportunity
Borlace - kicking and struggled with the pace
Cassisi - not aggressive enough
Poulton - caught too often

Cochrane - still not sure. Think he could handball more

Does Salopec remind anyone else of a young Wanganeen ?

Ebert and Gilham were the only fit players not to get a game !

 

[Power Pride]

Originally posted by Eddie Woloschek
How did Salopek go last night?

He had patches of brilliance.

To put it bluntly: we sucked, and I refuse to change my mind on that. We were THIS close, THIS close and honestly, I think motivation has got to be a factor. I was crying at 3/4 time for christs sake, because I could see the loss coming. I really wanted to jump the fence and steal Chocco's limelight when he was talking to the guys, from what I saw, it was like they werent even listening.

I'm disgusted. I really am.

Although; to Carlton's credit, they played very well. French was great [as much as that hurts me to say], Fevola was outstanding again and Kouta turned our power off, no pun intended.

I agree with Macca; our forward line was.. wait.. WHAT forward line! Lade was pathetic! Chocco threw Primus down there too but what that achieved I'll never know. I think Josh Carr was down there at one stage!?!? Bah.

Originally posted by Nod
Ebert and Gilham were the only fit players not to get a game !

I thought that was a crock, I really did. From what I've heard, Splinter played very well against Freo and IMO would have done a better job than Borlace. And I find it a bit unfair that Brett wasnt given a run. Its pre-season for gods sake; what chance has he got in the minor round? I thought it was partly about giving players a go.. but obviously Chocco has other ideas.

mistressemma told Tredrea we needed him out there, and he said 'Oh, I know!'.

I think that says a lot. Without Tredrea, we're going to struggle, but its not as if we cant win without him. We just need to TRY.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by Power Pride
He had patches of brilliance.

I didnt think so. He only got one or two possies for the night, and showed us that hes afraid of tackling someone...which was also pretty evident when we played the bulldogs.

Fevola was outstanding again

I thought he was horrid. How many simple goals did he miss!!!

I agree with Macca; our forward line was.. wait.. WHAT forward line! Lade was pathetic! Chocco threw Primus down there too but what that achieved I'll never know. I think Josh Carr was down there at one stage!?!? Bah.

I dont know why he is playing Dew as a leading forward. Dew is the worst mark in our squad (even worse than Ackland). Hes a great player, but he cant mark. All his goals last night...well the whole pre season have been on the run. He should be played on a flank, not at full forward.

 

[Power Pride]

Originally posted by Macca19
I didnt think so. He only got one or two possies for the night, and showed us that hes afraid of tackling someone...which was also pretty evident when we played the bulldogs.

I must admit he did stand around and look pretty for a while. But like I said, patches of brilliance.. well.. from what I saw anyway. But we'll all have differing opinions I suppose.

Originally posted by Macca19
I thought he was horrid. How many simple goals did he miss!!!

Well being at the other end [screen end] I didnt manage to see much. I thought he drilled a few through, maybe I'm thinking of someone else?

Originally posted by Macca19
I dont know why he is playing Dew as a leading forward. Dew is the worst mark in our squad (even worse than Ackland). Hes a great player, but he cant mark. All his goals last night...well the whole pre season have been on the run. He should be played on a flank, not at full forward.

Good point,

And another thing. Has anyone noticed that there hasnt been any of 'last year's Wakelin' playing? Its like he's a completely different player now, and I just wonder if he's still a bit tentative about his cheek?
Throughout the first three quarters he was horrid. Hardly tried at all, let his opponent give him the runaround. Granted he did take a couple of almighty grabs in the last quarter and I was pleased to see him standing up, but what do you guys think?

 

[Portia]

Last year's Wakelin was one of the bigger surprises I've seen, I wouldn't be too surprised if he fell back to usual.

However, he does normally take a few games to get going, and with the amount of ball in the Port defense in these trial games, I'm not going to panic about his form just yet.

I am disappointed to hear that Choco is playing Dew as a key forward - whats the point of him being in peak fitness if he's stuck in the goalsquare?

Yes, we need Tredrea. White and Champion being injured at this time of year is extremely poor timing on their part.

 

[mic59]

I was front row at the northern end which I know is not the best place to get an overall view, but it appeared more to me that the loss was due to Choco trying out new things. Monty was brilliant in the first quarter and I didn't see him back. Was he just rested? Hopefully he hasn't copped an injury. We seemed to be doing well when Francou, Stevens and Carr were in the middle and then Stevens went to kickout duties and both Joshes to the forward line. The defence looked to want to handball and then get Bishop to hoist the ball out. Unfortunately that was picked up very quickly and Bishop was always under pressure so the ball more often than not went to an opponent.
Was anyone else at the northern end? That second to last goal of Dews', which was about 10 metres out and he kicked it quickly missed by about a metre. I kid you not, both me and the bloke next to me were right under it and saw it pass the outside of the post. But some of the 50-metre penalties for and against us were ridiculous. It's starting to become that the main rule in footy is not to rub the umpys the wrong way. The current crop we have are such a precious lot they can't even accept the suggestion they may be wrong.
I always used to think soccer was an over-officiated sport. Has anyone ever seen the amount of **** soccer referees are prepared to put up with before going for their cards.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by Nod
I left the game thinking how important Tredrea is to us and how many players feed off him.

Couldn't agree more about how much we miss Tredders. During games he plays you know he's a good player but i'd never thought we rely on him as much as we do.

Originally posted by Nod

I was disappointed in:
Lade - can't take a mark in a pack
Thurstans - too timid and handballed when should have kicked
S Burgoyne - playing like his head has grown
Hall - missed a goal he should have got. not taking his opportunity
Borlace - kicking and struggled with the pace
Cassisi - not aggressive enough
Poulton - caught too often

Cochrane - still not sure. Think he could handball more

Lade is still strugging, needs confidence and soon, looked good late against the WB but pretty average apart from that.

The Thrust i thought did alright considering he was played all over the shop again last night, really needed to get a chance and just play one key defensive spot this preseason but it hasn't worked out that way.

Junior hasn't been that good so far this year apart from the odd touch of absoulte class.

Hall hasn't been that bad, but hasn't really stepped up and taken his chance.

As for Cochrane, if he never handballed again i would be happy, possible the least effective handballer i've seen. I reckon ive seen him turn the ball over with a bad handball atleast six or seven times this year. Looks much better when he runs and kicks IMO.

Originally posted by Nod

Does Salopec remind anyone else of a young Wanganeen ?

He reminds me of someone but just cant put my finger on it. HAs probably done enough (especially with all the injuries) to get a game first up although his form seems to be dropping a little as the preseason continues.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by Macca19

I dont know why he is playing Dew as a leading forward. Dew is the worst mark in our squad (even worse than Ackland). Hes a great player, but he cant mark. All his goals last night...well the whole pre season have been on the run. He should be played on a flank, not at full forward.

Agree Dew needs to be played on a flank, not as a leaading FF. As fo that matter so does Pickett, doesn't seem sure when to lead and for some reason only jogs out when on a lead. Junior, Peter or Gav are the three smalls who can play as a leading forward target along with perhaps Che as they seem to know when to lead and are fast, are all good marks and good set shot goal kickers.

 

[_espoir]

Originally posted by Power Pride
mistressemma told Tredrea we needed him out there, and he said 'Oh, I know!'.

I think that says a lot. Without Tredrea, we're going to struggle, but its not as if we cant win without him. We just need to TRY.

give tredrea some new knees and get him out there, its not just his marking we need, but its the way he moves his forward line... i couldnt believe some of the things they were doing

over kicking to a player, hand balling to god knows who... oh and lade- stop laying on the floor acting for a free... he gets so ****ed off...

Bishop needs to learn the word "please" in stead of tellign a support to "give it here" then saying that to wakes haha

i too some photos last night, but left at half time because i was sick, my hands where white and see thru and my finger nails were purple.. i'm giving bad luck at the games gettin knocked in the head and now getting sick...

kinda wish the team played the old style they where doing before, nice to try new things but when its not working go back to doing something that was

 

[Eago77]

Enough of the negatives there were a few positives from last nights game:

Monty - looks like he hasn't missed a beat, only played (most) of the first half but was still in our best players for the game.

Gav - Super Gav showed again how good he can be, probably our best player throughout a dismal preseason, good signs from him

Pickett - I think he has just about improved every time ive seen him this year, kicked a coupl of goals and that hit on Wiggins OUCH! Will be a huge benefit to the team this year.

Chad - although he couldn't get a touch in the first half, he played brilliantly in the third, a good sign as it shows even when he is having a bad game he still fights it out, unlike some.

Brogan - again looked good floating back being the loose man in defence, took a number of good marks early on, look forward to him playing in round 2.

Paxman - I know Macca thought he copped a bath in the second half but overall i thought he was one of our better players. Along with Bishop, Gav & Chad has been one of our best players so far this year, a good sign after coming back from injury late last year.

Dew - again kicked multiple goals, seems to have worked a little on his fitness in recent weeks, needs to be played up the ground though. Anything from 45-60 meters out is automatic for this guy. Probably the best kick of a footy i've seen.

 

[Port01]

Our gneral field kicking was just terrible, I lost track of how many Carlton goals were directly from kickouts, Dew kicked his first 3 kickouts straight down a carlton players throat.

Carlton weren't much better either. They seemed to want to kick to Brogan on their half forward line even when there were no Carlton players in the same half of the ground.

Both sides missed simple shots at goal time after time. Turnovers and bemusing umpiring decisions were the order of the day.

Wanganeen was best for Port, Kane Cornes beat Ratten easily IMO, Thurstans was ok in his game time, certainly worth perservering with to get experience.

Dew kicked 4 but gave away about the same amount on kickouts, he did take a contested mark though much to my amazement.

 

[portly]

Originally posted by mic59
...it appeared more to me that the loss was due to Choco trying out new things.

Agreed. I think that this was very much treated as a trial game, and therein lies the reason for the loss. Players were being rotated all over the place.

Cannot see Cochrane making the first team - directly caused goals for Carlton with mistakes. Likewise Poults is making his old mistakes. Though one of my favourites he must certainly do better.

My only concerns are the injuries, which might be more serious than I first thought, and the lack of a winning mentality to start the season off properly.