Rnd 18 - Port v Central @ Alberton

[Big Phil]

One would expect the Dogs will come out firing against the Magpies after the club considered the draw against the Bays more like a loss, while Port Adelaide will be desperate to make amends for their embarrasing performance against Sturt last weekend.

All makes for a good contest between two sides that traditionally don't like each other. The Maggies losing Meiklejohn in ruck is a huge blow and an advantage Central will take up to gain midfield ascendancy while I think the Dogs may just have too much firepower in the side.

Early stage tip for me, Central finally play four quarters and bounce back with a big win, by around 8 - 10 goals.

[CENTURION]

Danger game for Us, We are still playing very inconsistent, error-riddled, one quarter of footy per match junk. Port to win by about 4 goals. Always tough are they.

[Pseudo]

Danger game for Us, We are still playing very inconsistent, error-riddled, one quarter of footy per match junk. Port to win by about 4 goals. Always tough are they.

Oh, Lord, Kumbaya....

[CENTURION]

I don't think any Port fans would know Kumbaya! Far too difficult to sing wiv no teef.

[bayman]

on paper you'd think centrals easily however port almost always seem to give central a run for their money on most occaisions recently

[dedja]

I agree bayman, but I did have a chuckle in the last quarter on Sat at the Bay.

I was within earshot of Stephen Willams and Darel Hart (who seem to be there nearly every week) and Harty called out the score from Unley ... Stephen then said Gee, Timmy must be gone now!

[Bluedemon]

I see the Power have dropped Brett Ebert this week.

[Big Phil]

Here is the league and reserves sides for Centrals this weekend...


League Team:

Full Forward: Ian Callinan Daniel Schell Scott Dutschke
Half Forward: Chad O'Sullivan Jason Mackenzie Chris Gowans
Centre Line: Trent Goodrem James Gowans Brayden O'Hara
Half Back: Paul Thomas Andrew Hayes Richard Cochrane
Full Back: Eddie Sansbury Yves Sibenaler Heath Lawry

Ruck: Jonathon Griffin Ryan Williams Matthew Slade

Interchange: Jonathon Giles, Louis Hadden, Lee Spurr & Adam Switala

Into 22: Jonathon Giles, Adam Switala

Out: Matthew Westhoff (omitted)



Reserves Squad:

From: Allocca, Barmby, Brading, Christmann, Dunne, Foldesdy, Frail, Habel, Hadden, Hannath, Hardy, Henderson, Jenner, Menzel, Nason, Porter, Reichert, Seccafien, Vater, L. Westhoff, M. Westhoff, White.


Interesting to see Matthew Westhoff has been dropped, as many Doggies supporters have been calling for in the last month or so. With Jonathon Giles coming into the side, and possibly Adam Switala, would think that maybe Louis Hadden (who is also named in the reserves) will drop out from the 22.

[SnappyTom]

Here is the league and reserves sides for Centrals this weekend...
...With Jonathon Griffin coming into the side...

I hate it when the media get it wrong!
Griffin has played for the last two weeks in the League side, Giles is returning!
FFS, it's not rocket science!

Just kidding BP...

Almost what I want to see come finals time re:line-up. If we can get another shocker from Are Dubya, maybe just maybe we can get Hendo back in to make a near full-strength team!

ST...

[Big Phil]

Here is the league and reserves sides for Centrals this weekend...
...With Jonathon Griffin coming into the side...

I hate it when the media get it wrong!
Griffin has played for the last two weeks in the League side, Giles is returning!
FFS, it's not rocket science!

Just kidding BP...

Almost what I want to see come finals time re:line-up. If we can get another shocker from Are Dubya, maybe just maybe we can get Hendo back in to make a near full-strength team!

ST...

No worries mate, But I am sorry snappy Snappy

Changed it now, it is easy to get confused with two Jonathon's and both surnames starting with G's (That's my excuse anyway )

[Dutchy]

Williams gets another chance?

[Big Phil]

Williams gets another chance?

Many Dogs fans would agree with you there Dutchy, based not only his terrible mistakes at the Bay last week that some say cost the Dogs the game, but his form over the last month has been very very dissapointing for a player of his standard. There is also talk he has been carrying an injury and that this may be part of the reason for his form slump.

If that is to be the case, I would have thought it would be better to give him a week off altogether so he can freshen up physically and mentally, he certainly copped a bit from some team mates straight after the game. Matthew Westhoff certainly needs to find some form in the seconds after also dropping in form over the last 6 weeks or so.

[phantom57]

Can the Doggies better 92 points????

[EasyE]

I thought Kyle Jenner was stiff to be dropped last week but put it down to just being the unlucky one with the return of wingnut. To see that Switala has moved above him in the pecking order has left me completely bewildered.

And there is no way Hadden can be dropped this week is there? He was sensational against the weagles only a couple of weeks ago.

I dont get it?

[Grahaml]

Hadden in the ressies squad, so Swooper back you'd think.

Think the dogs will be too good. Not sure what the Port side will look like but even if they have Burgoyne and Ebert on the ball their depth is very shaky. And with Mieklejohn out this really is the week for Griffin to dominate and Giles to show his worth. Frankly, if both those guys aren't among our best I'll be disappointed.

Matt Westhoff had to go. His inability to provide a contest was appalling. Williams might be down on form and confidence but was putting in the effort. Westy simply wasn't. Perhaps his AFL debut made him think he would simply dominate. I'll still back Willo to get back into gear, otherwise Jenner/Slattery/Switala will quickly take his place.

FWIW I think Jenner will make the side before the year's out but let's not forget Charles Slattery and Henderson still a bit of a smoky. Good to have running options available in the ressies to keep the pressure on.

[Big Phil]

Hadden in the ressies squad, so Swooper back you'd think.

Think the dogs will be too good. Not sure what the Port side will look like but even if they have Burgoyne and Ebert on the ball their depth is very shaky. And with Mieklejohn out this really is the week for Griffin to dominate and Giles to show his worth. Frankly, if both those guys aren't among our best I'll be disappointed.

Matt Westhoff had to go. His inability to provide a contest was appalling. Williams might be down on form and confidence but was putting in the effort. Westy simply wasn't. Perhaps his AFL debut made him think he would simply dominate. I'll still back Willo to get back into gear, otherwise Jenner/Slattery/Switala will quickly take his place.

FWIW I think Jenner will make the side before the year's out but let's not forget Charles Slattery and Henderson still a bit of a smoky. Good to have running options available in the ressies to keep the pressure on.

I agree with all of what you are saying Grahaml, but sadly, I think you will find Charles Slattery's season is over after he injured the knee again that he had trouble with last year. Not sure of the severity of it, but I think he has had or will be having an operation on it. If this is the case, it is a shame fro Slatts because he was slowly finding some good form in the twos after coming back over from the Bendigo Bombers...

I think Henderson has the potential to be a bit of an X-Factor in finals but needs to find some consistancy in the reserves before forcing his way back into the league side. I know there isn't too many more minor round games left to go in the season, but a couple of players I would like to see get an opportunity at league level are Ben Nason, Luke Habel and Dave Allocca, if not this year, hope to see them next season...

[doggies4eva]

Hadden in the ressies squad, so Swooper back you'd think.

Think the dogs will be too good. Not sure what the Port side will look like but even if they have Burgoyne and Ebert on the ball their depth is very shaky. And with Mieklejohn out this really is the week for Griffin to dominate and Giles to show his worth. Frankly, if both those guys aren't among our best I'll be disappointed.

Matt Westhoff had to go. His inability to provide a contest was appalling. Williams might be down on form and confidence but was putting in the effort. Westy simply wasn't. Perhaps his AFL debut made him think he would simply dominate. I'll still back Willo to get back into gear, otherwise Jenner/Slattery/Switala will quickly take his place.

FWIW I think Jenner will make the side before the year's out but let's not forget Charles Slattery and Henderson still a bit of a smoky. Good to have running options available in the ressies to keep the pressure on.

I agree with all of what you are saying Grahaml, but sadly, I think you will find Charles Slattery's season is over after he injured the knee again that he had trouble with last year. Not sure of the severity of it, but I think he has had or will be having an operation on it. If this is the case, it is a shame fro Slatts because he was slowly finding some good form in the twos after coming back over from the Bendigo Bombers...

I think Henderson has the potential to be a bit of an X-Factor in finals but needs to find some consistancy in the reserves before forcing his way back into the league side. I know there isn't too many more minor round games left to go in the season, but a couple of players I would like to see get an opportunity at league level are Ben Nason, Luke Habel and Dave Allocca, if not this year, hope to see them next season...

With Slatterly out that makes sense that they are bringing in Switala - a similar useful running player who can play back, forward or in the middle.

[Big Phil]

PORT MAGPIES LINE UP:

FF: J.Perry B.Ebert Z.Kirkwood
HF: P.Burgoyne J.Barham D.Elstone
CL: J.Perkins S.Summerton M.Dolling
HB: J.Thurgood C.Ah Chee J.Young
FB: C.Carr J.Trengove R.Stanley

RK: D.Batson M.Lokan B.Murray
INT: (from) K.Hall, G.Bowes, J.Shannon, M.Phillips, J.Shannon, L.Harder

INTO 23: B.Ebert, D.Batson, J.Shannon, J.Barham, M.Phillips

OUT: S.Mardling (omitted) J.Meiklejohn (hamstring) K.Beard (flu)

[CENTURION]

Warning 'Dogs, the Port side is a pretty good one ON PAPER, this will be a tough game.

[MightyEagles]

The Umpires this week are

Reserves

Field:- Mark Barnett, David Sebieraj and Richard Harvey
Boundary:- H. Cook and S. Jeffs
Goal:- M. Oxford and T. Sharpe

League

Field:- Gary Fila, Corey Bowen and James Ralston
Boundary: A. Chehade, S. Burton, M. Nicholls and J. Moore
Goal:- S. Riggs and D. Hoskin