Round 2 v GWS

[Booney]

I would like to think we win comfortably this week in the battle of the two youngest teams in the comp. ( Yep, Ports side last week had a younger average age than GC - only GWS younger )

The emotion of the McCarthy tribute will flow early on and typically emotion isnt the type of fuel to fill the tank for a full match, but....that emotion in football circles is typically a milestone match, a player retirement, a coach leaving or beginning etc etc. Fortunately, it is not often the emotion of acknowledging a fallen mate. A bloke who clearly, is just 12 months, had a massive impact on the playing group and is often defined as one of the best mates anyone could have. ( I heard this prior too his passing, so it isnt just an off the cuff comment now he is gone )

Having said that I really, really like the midfield Port have now gathered :

Boak - Pick 5 - 24 years old
Brad Ebert - 7/23
Wingard - 6/19
Hartlett - 4/22
Broadbent - 5/22
Gray - 9/25
Monfries - 14/26
Wines - 7/18

Couple that with a fit Redden and Lobbe ( making it impossible for the coaching staff to leave one out ) giving Westhoff the flexibility to roam and more importantly relieving him of the physical toll being the second ruckman took on him at times.

Schulz, Neade, Monfries, Wingard, Westhoff, Hartlett ( who can kick 'em from outside 50 with ease ), Boak and Ebert all capable of multiple goals....*Jeez Boon, get a little more excited*

On this week, Port will win 50+.

The McCarthy tribute and the impact that will have on the players IMO, will be massive. I expect a good crowd of 25,000 or more and the first home game on a Saturday night will see us prevail with some ease I feel.

I cant bloody wait.

[valleys07]

Its funny- I spoke to a few mates about ports new midfield in the context of a mid range midfield, behind the likes that collingwood, geelong, hawthorn, sydney and co have assembled, but in the 7-12 bracket of sides and got ripped to shreds saying the group was no where near it..well I know a season goes for 23 rounds but I couldnt be happier with what I saw from the aforementioned players and believe we have assembled an A grade midfield in years to come.

Carlisle comes back into the side at the expense of moore and I do think this is a good inclusion. From what I saw of Patton on saturday night, he is a huge boy, but it appears to me that he works no where near hard enough to keep the ball in the area, something that the likes of Stevenson and Pittard have to exploit with pinpoint footskills out of the back half if Carlisle / Trengove happen to force a turnover. Cameron was well held on saturday afternoon also and, much like Jeremy Howe, really doesnt have that 2nd explosive attribute (just yet) if you block his run and jump at the footy.

The McCarthy tribute has been a motivating factor for months now, and I think we will see a start similar to that of choco's last game (although this time im confident we will press on for victory).

Port 30-39