Game Day Port v Essendon

Remove this Banner Ad

Interstater said:
We live in the best of times. We live in the worst of times.

Never before in known history has a generation had so much insight into the deeds of the past. In a quick google we can discover facts about our ancestors (as far back as the 1600's in my case). The urge to discover these things grows stronger as you get older, and our birds eye view on history has never been clearer.

But in looking back on history, we discover that 1000 small decisions shape our paths, those split second decisions that can decide your career, your spouse, your children, your life and your success. The paths we take are for the most part a series of these small decisions, the consequences of which only become truly clear over time.

Back in February, a world away, this was never more obvious than at the 150 year dinner. While I watched it from afar online, there was no doubting its tone. That dinner was a strong reminder of what Port Adelaide means to many of us, the confidence, the success, the never say die attitude, and how that success brings with it opportunities.

A glance at the 2004 premiership photo highlights that opportunity. So many of the players in that photo have had great success either within coaching, or in media, or other endeavours. How much of that was enabled by winning that premiership is unknown, but it certainly helped.

Today the 22 that take the field in our colours are in an unique position. In a year that prevents many from playing at home, a win today guarantees us two home finals. With the exception of Brisbane, no one else can do that. And no other side has as much control of its fate as we do today. A win today doesn't give you a premiership, but a win today allows for decisions to be made to maximise the chance of that happening.

When the final siren goes, I'll be thinking of two people in particular, Travis Boak and Robbie Gray. A win today will give them the greatest possible opportunity to be known to their children as AFL premiership players. Of course it will do the same for others, but others will get more chances. These two in particular have made decisions to remain at the club when others may have found the lure away too attractive. Nothing would make me happier than for them to get a win today.

And so here we are, in the best of times, the worst of times, waiting to observe the split second decisions that can have ramifications for generations to come. We are fortunate to support a club that has given opportunity to so many, but like a parent observing the decisions made by their children, you can only do so much. At some point you need to take a step back and hope that those making the effort appreciate the opportunity in front of them.

Go Ports.
Click to expand...

The above comment would have to be the best post I've ever read on BF, and I have read some seriously excellent posts. I hope the players prior to the game, get to hear these inspiring words. Thank you. It is perfect.
.
.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

gbear said:
All good!

Just remember there are a few of us who are ladies on this board. We provide intelligence and class 🤣🤣🤣
Click to expand...
I like this post 😄
 
Also, a draw would give us at least 3rd guaranteed, with a 5 goal lead over Richmond on percentage in case we lost v Coll.

Learnt from Steve Waugh World Cup that you should plan for a draw.
 
Wargreymon90 said:
People forget that we are actually great in the rain!
Click to expand...
No we are not. We have the odd win played a great brand of wet weather footy against WCE last year but we have lost a lot of games in the wet trying to play dry weather footy. Yes we have won a game or two in the wet this year but look at our losses the last 3 or 4 years and plenty have been in the rain or rain affected conditions.
 
We should be winning this easily, Essendon really aren't very good. 5 of their 6 wins have been against the bottom five teams, and they drew with GC, who sit 13th. So the only team in the top 12 they have beaten is Collingwood, who were bereft of half their team at the time.

Weather should be the only inhibitor to a 10 goal win.
 
Interstater said:
We live in the best of times. We live in the worst of times.

Never before in known history has a generation had so much insight into the deeds of the past. In a quick google we can discover facts about our ancestors (as far back as the 1600's in my case). The urge to discover these things grows stronger as you get older, and our birds eye view on history has never been clearer.

But in looking back on history, we discover that 1000 small decisions shape our paths, those split second decisions that can decide your career, your spouse, your children, your life and your success. The paths we take are for the most part a series of these small decisions, the consequences of which only become truly clear over time.

Back in February, a world away, this was never more obvious than at the 150 year dinner. While I watched it from afar online, there was no doubting its tone. That dinner was a strong reminder of what Port Adelaide means to many of us, the confidence, the success, the never say die attitude, and how that success brings with it opportunities.

A glance at the 2004 premiership photo highlights that opportunity. So many of the players in that photo have had great success either within coaching, or in media, or other endeavours. How much of that was enabled by winning that premiership is unknown, but it certainly helped.

Today the 22 that take the field in our colours are in an unique position. In a year that prevents many from playing at home, a win today guarantees us two home finals. With the exception of Brisbane, no one else can do that. And no other side has as much control of its fate as we do today. A win today doesn't give you a premiership, but a win today allows for decisions to be made to maximise the chance of that happening.

When the final siren goes, I'll be thinking of two people in particular, Travis Boak and Robbie Gray. A win today will give them the greatest possible opportunity to be known to their children as AFL premiership players. Of course it will do the same for others, but others will get more chances. These two in particular have made decisions to remain at the club when others may have found the lure away too attractive. Nothing would make me happier than for them to get a win today.

And so here we are, in the best of times, the worst of times, waiting to observe the split second decisions that can have ramifications for generations to come. We are fortunate to support a club that has given opportunity to so many, but like a parent observing the decisions made by their children, you can only do so much. At some point you need to take a step back and hope that those making the effort appreciate the opportunity in front of them.

Go Ports.
Click to expand...
In the centuries to come the Gettysburg Address will be forgotten but Interstater's What Happen Power Oration will live long in the memories of the last remnants of civilisation as a cautionary tale on the hubris of mankind.
 
Other than the 4 points, there nothing to gain in terms of respect. Just like the last 3 wins.

However we need to display a next level of intent in this match to show that we are a team building up momentum for finals football.

You can see Richmond and West Coast are starting to build their charge to the finals. Geelong could be on the wrong side of the momentum peak after being up for so long.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

shewho said:
The opening sentence of the post needs to be edited. A win today wins a Top 2 finish- not nearly- fully, finally and certainly.

As Interstater so passionately put, that doesn’t win you a premiership- but you cannot achieve more in a home and away season. Any greater performance brings only illusory prizes. Top 2 is the sh!t.

A win today gives us 3 weeks to get over this achievement and focus on the next challenge - two home finals at the Adelaide Oval for the first time since the 60s.

With such a great prize on offer today, this is really a final for us. We have found ways to lose such opportunities in the recent past. The likely weather will make this a scrap- a battle of wills more than a battle of skills.

That is why I’ll be looking hard at the performance of every player today while the game is there to be won. Who has determination to make sure we win? Who will put every on the line to make sure we grab this opportunity?

Carn Port!
Click to expand...
We sneak through today and get beaten badly last game, and then West Coast win last 2 comfortably, we miss top 2. Very unlikely. But reason I did not state a certainty
 
Port need to start strong, get some score on the board before the rain hits, would be good to clock up a massive win for confidence but at the end of the day I'd take a Port by 1 point win with no injuries.

C'mon boys, do us proud !!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

cutterman
Gather Round Tickets - The Collective x3 - Port v Essendon
Replies
4
Views
1K
Watson_my_mind
Watson_my_mind
Powerade 08
  • Locked
  • Poll
Game Day Round 8 - Port v Crows - Showdown 55 (Chug Jug Edition) (Go Port)
80 81 82 83 84
Replies
2K
Views
35K
philreich
philreich
Buget
  • Locked
Preview Preview and Changes: Round 6 - Port v Collingwood
19 20 21 22 23
Replies
553
Views
18K
GremioPower
GremioPower
GoPorts
  • Locked
Preview Changes and Preview for Gather Round v Essendon
11 12 13 14 15
Replies
351
Views
12K
Doctor Feel
Doctor Feel
RossFC
MVP Votes R4 vs Essendon
2
Replies
26
Views
928
RussellEbertHandball
RussellEbertHandball
Greasyrhys
  • Locked
Game Day Round 5 “Dockland Dynamite” ft. Port Adelaide v Fremantle
48 49 50 51 52
Replies
1K
Views
17K
Coobk001
Coobk001
Manhattan Bronx
  • Locked
Game Day Round 6 - Port vs Collingwood
55 56 57 58 59
Replies
1K
Views
23K
gtrxuone
gtrxuone

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top