SAAFL Division 2 2013

[The Dark Knight]

Portland won 15.11 to 12.12. Great effort by Portland in the last half to come from behind.

Wareing very good in the last quarter setting up a couple of cruical last quarter goals, Laslett very good all day and Cocchiaro and Shepard played well also.

Districts just stopped in last half and broke down across half forward, Portland's back six were good aswell.

Really good game I thought, with 11 goals in the first quarter alone. District's second quarter with the wind was pretty good and they went into the HT break 2-3 goals up. Portland bridged the gap at 3/4 time, but still trailing I think. I expected the last quarter to be much like the second, with Districts aided by a slight breeze, but Jarrod Wareing played one of the best last quarters imaginable getting a heap of centre clearences and setting up the first three goals of the last quarter.
I think Wareing ended up with 2.5, missing a few tough chances from a fair way out. He was a solid contributor throughout the game, but his last quarter was as good as you could ask for.
TDK, I actually thought Laslett and Cochiarro were quiet by their standards. Laslett was tagged all game by Smitheram, but had a solid last quarter.
Josh Draper or Ben Stokes were next best after Wareing for me. Benny Stokes played the best game I've seen from him, finishing with 5, after setting the tone early with the first goal of the game. He'd be pretty happy with his performance against his old club, and on Simon Maddern who doesn't usually get too many kicked on him. Draper was really good on Nathan McDowell I thought. I've seen McDowell make plenty of people look stupid at this level, but the Straight Shooter held his own all day, with McDowell's goals coming via a soft free kick and loose ball which Draper could do little about.
D Bird wasn't bad either; probably not getting the amount of the footy as he usually does, but delivering when required. Pederson, who has improved out of sight in the last couple of years was also good all game.

District's best were Westhoff, Smitham, Clay, and Rose. Westhoff was far too good for Grove in the ruck in the first half, but was curtailed by Perkins. Smitham had a fair bit of the footy, and was Port's best on baller with help from Tiller and Merrett, but even he made a few uncharacteristic mistakes toward the end of the game.
Steven Clay had a heap of the footy off half back, as he has all year, but will probably want to improve on his disposal/decision making ahead of this week's game.
Nathan Rose was a bit too strong for his starting opponent Bament, but was well held by Mills in the second half, but was a great target up forward, along with veteran Darren Perry who was a handful up forward.

Port District still have a one or two who can come into the side this week, and should back themselves at home, despite SMOSH being in great form the last month. Both District's and Portland had a few players have quiet days on Saturday, and should expect a lift from a few of them in their next match.

ps for anyone who watched the game, how bad was that bald umpire?! From a neutral observation, I thought he umpired in District's favour all day, but was particularly noticable in the last quarter when on two seperate Portland forward line entries, Stokes and Prior were being blatantly dragged to the ground. You would expect better in a D2 semi-final, luckily it had no impact on the outcome of the game.

Saturday's match was the first Div 2 game I've seen this season and it didn't disappoint, great game of football.

Portland's last quarter was awesome, from what I saw on Saturday Districts are a more talented and skillful side but Portland's work rate is second to none, their midfield with Wareing, Laslett and co really stood up when they needed to in the last half, especially the last quarter and their performance really set up Portland's victory. As I said Portland's back six were good all day, Draper who hurt himself early from what I saw was very good on McDowell all day and hardly gave him any space at all. Pedo across half forward and Toasty across half back were very good for their respective sides. Toddy Smitham was very good early, Portland could hardly lay a tackle on him but seemed to go quiet in the last half and the little man Tiller as very good aswell, I really love watching him play.

Agreed Lutz with the bald umpire, while I thought the umpires were pretty good in such a big game as they let the game go a bit and only paying the blatant free kicks the bald umpire crucified Portland in the last quarter with the softest of free kicks and as you've pointed out, Stokes and Prior had their opponents all over them but weren't rewarded a blatant free kick, those two decisions not to pay free kicks were ridiculous. Luckily those decisions had no impact in the game.

[old moz]

have to agree with lutz and TDK. good game of footy. thought that PD were the better side for 3 qtrs but portlands last qtr was outstanding in the way they lifted to put themselves into the game.
agree also about the bald umpire. tried to impose himself in the game way to much and his last qtr was a shocker.

[Quarterman]

Portland won 15.11 to 12.12. Great effort by Portland in the last half to come from behind.

Wareing very good in the last quarter setting up a couple of cruical last quarter goals, Laslett very good all day and Cocchiaro and Shepard played well also.

Districts just stopped in last half and broke down across half forward, Portland's back six were good aswell.

Really good game I thought, with 11 goals in the first quarter alone. District's second quarter with the wind was pretty good and they went into the HT break 2-3 goals up. Portland bridged the gap at 3/4 time, but still trailing I think. I expected the last quarter to be much like the second, with Districts aided by a slight breeze, but Jarrod Wareing played one of the best last quarters imaginable getting a heap of centre clearences and setting up the first three goals of the last quarter.
I think Wareing ended up with 2.5, missing a few tough chances from a fair way out. He was a solid contributor throughout the game, but his last quarter was as good as you could ask for.
TDK, I actually thought Laslett and Cochiarro were quiet by their standards. Laslett was tagged all game by Smitheram, but had a solid last quarter.
Josh Draper or Ben Stokes were next best after Wareing for me. Benny Stokes played the best game I've seen from him, finishing with 5, after setting the tone early with the first goal of the game. He'd be pretty happy with his performance against his old club, and on Simon Maddern who doesn't usually get too many kicked on him. Draper was really good on Nathan McDowell I thought. I've seen McDowell make plenty of people look stupid at this level, but the Straight Shooter held his own all day, with McDowell's goals coming via a soft free kick and loose ball which Draper could do little about.
D Bird wasn't bad either; probably not getting the amount of the footy as he usually does, but delivering when required. Pederson, who has improved out of sight in the last couple of years was also good all game.

District's best were Westhoff, Smitham, Clay, and Rose. Westhoff was far too good for Grove in the ruck in the first half, but was curtailed by Perkins. Smitham had a fair bit of the footy, and was Port's best on baller with help from Tiller and Merrett, but even he made a few uncharacteristic mistakes toward the end of the game.
Steven Clay had a heap of the footy off half back, as he has all year, but will probably want to improve on his disposal/decision making ahead of this week's game.
Nathan Rose was a bit too strong for his starting opponent Bament, but was well held by Mills in the second half, but was a great target up forward, along with veteran Darren Perry who was a handful up forward.

Port District still have a one or two who can come into the side this week, and should back themselves at home, despite SMOSH being in great form the last month. Both District's and Portland had a few players have quiet days on Saturday, and should expect a lift from a few of them in their next match.

ps for anyone who watched the game, how bad was that bald umpire?! From a neutral observation, I thought he umpired in District's favour all day, but was particularly noticable in the last quarter when on two seperate Portland forward line entries, Stokes and Prior were being blatantly dragged to the ground. You would expect better in a D2 semi-final, luckily it had no impact on the outcome of the game.

Saturday's match was the first Div 2 game I've seen this season and it didn't disappoint, great game of football.

Portland's last quarter was awesome, from what I saw on Saturday Districts are a more talented and skillful side but Portland's work rate is second to none, their midfield with Wareing, Laslett and co really stood up when they needed to in the last half, especially the last quarter and their performance really set up Portland's victory. As I said Portland's back six were good all day, Draper who hurt himself early from what I saw was very good on McDowell all day and hardly gave him any space at all. Pedo across half forward and Toasty across half back were very good for their respective sides. Toddy Smitham was very good early, Portland could hardly lay a tackle on him but seemed to go quiet in the last half and the little man Tiller as very good aswell, I really love watching him play.

Agreed Lutz with the bald umpire, while I thought the umpires were pretty good in such a big game as they let the game go a bit and only paying the blatant free kicks the bald umpire crucified Portland in the last quarter with the softest of free kicks and as you've pointed out, Stokes and Prior had their opponents all over them but weren't rewarded a blatant free kick, those two decisions not to pay free kicks were ridiculous. Luckily those decisions had no impact in the game.

Agree with most of that

Westy into the ruck made a huge difference
Madds got killed by Stokes
Wareing wouldn't have bought a drink on Saturday night. He was given heaps by the PD crowd but stepped up in the last quarter. I listened to the 3.4 address and got nothing special other than the usual, yet these blokes lifted big time.

Im bemused by the comments about the bald umpire. He gave us absolutelty nothing in the first quater, plus he umpired 90% of the game. Almost like he was teaching the other bloke how to do it. His second and third quarter werent bad, then he was aweful against Portland in the last quarter.

All in all, weve got to step up next week against SMOSH
It is the 3 best sides playing this out

[piccachu]

[quoteAgree with most of that

Westy into the ruck made a huge difference
Madds got killed by Stokes
Wareing wouldn't have bought a drink on Saturday night. He was given heaps by the PD crowd but stepped up in the last quarter. I listened to the 3.4 address and got nothing special other than the usual, yet these blokes lifted big time.
Im bemused by the comments about the bald umpire. He gave us absolutelty nothing in the first quater, plus he umpired 90% of the game. Almost like he was teaching the other bloke how to do it. His second and third quarter werent bad, then he was aweful against Portland in the last quarter.

All in all, weve got to step up next week against SMOSH
It is the 3 best sides playing this out][/quote]

Bit Harsh on the 3/4 time speach quarterman, the boys no what to expect from riccardo and to me its pretty obvious he knows how to get the best out of us and the proof of that was in our last quarter.

As for this week i cant split the two sides, both quality sides and im backing the draw

[bird of prey]

Yeah I don't think that every speech the coach gives needs to be inspirational.

As long as the content is there. Which is obviously what he's done.

Have heard Nathan Basset speak in the huddles. He doesn't have that Andrew Jarman like inspiration in his talks, he just simply tells the players exactly what they need to do. Sometimes this method works the best.

[lutz]

SMOSH too be too fit for Port District tomorrow I think.
Molitor should dominate in the ruck in the absence of Westhoff.
Not sure if any of the District defenders will be able to stop Rae, with no obvious matchup to keep up with him. At the same time, I'm not sure anyone of the SMOSH defenders will be smart enough to stop McDowell.

Pocock and Gracie are two good ins; but one of them probably won't even get much of a run with Tylor not seeming to be a fan.

[NO-MERCY]

Yes i'm leaning towards SMOSH upsetting Port Districts today, i believe the older legs of some Districts players will tire in the 2nd half leaving too much to the younger inexperience to carry.
If Stokes can kick 5 at F\F, Rae should kick 10.
SMOSH by 19pts.
Good luck to both sides.

[marbles]

Dizzies out in straight sets then huh

If the smosh boys hav been reading this forum already week theyd be feeling like the jobs already done

[NO-MERCY]

If so that could be their undoing.

[Dols]

SMOSH too be too fit for Port District tomorrow I think.
Molitor should dominate in the ruck in the absence of Westhoff.
Not sure if any of the District defenders will be able to stop Rae, with no obvious matchup to keep up with him. At the same time, I'm not sure anyone of the SMOSH defenders will be smart enough to stop McDowell.

Pocock and Gracie are two good ins; but one of them probably won't even get much of a run with Tylor not seeming to be a fan.

Molitor dominated all day but clearances won by districts. Pocock good all day. 7 goal first qtr to districts won it for them. 26 pt win.

[Cohiba]

Great endeavour by both teams....Port blitzed the first term 7.3 to 2.2. Johncock and McDowell too strong up front in the first. It was catch up footy for the rest of day for the Lions. Congrats to Ports. The better side on the day. Should be a great GF.

[LMA]

Great endeavour by both teams....Port blitzed the first term 7.3 to 2.2. Johncock and McDowell too strong up front in the first. It was catch up footy for the rest of day for the Lions. Congrats to Ports. The better side on the day. Should be a great GF.

Can't see it happening but it would be good if the GF was at Alberton

[piccachu]

Went and watched the Dizzies SMOSH game on the weekend were Dizzies were very impressive, was very surprised to see the 2nd leading goal kicking in the comp benched for the whole 2nd half after getting a bit of a spray from the coach after what was a pretty quiet half of footy for his high standards and there wasnt any injury that i was aware of. was also interested in how SMOSH allowed Pocock to play the members wing alone all day, IMO was the best man on the ground and didnt get an opponent all day. there was an absolute ripper of a contest between Smitham and Porplicia in the third quarter both blokes going flat stick at the footy neither took there eyes of the footy and was a great collision, unfortunatly for Porplcia may have come out of it with a couple of broken ribs and after putting his body on the line for his team, he may have been a little dissapointed in 2 efforts in the last quarter from other players in there forward 50. i was sitting next to a very vocal smosh crowd and they were not overly impressed with the 2 efforts in question.

Bring on next week

[Cohiba]

Went and watched the Dizzies SMOSH game on the weekend were Dizzies were very impressive, was very surprised to see the 2nd leading goal kicking in the comp benched for the whole 2nd half after getting a bit of a spray from the coach after what was a pretty quiet half of footy for his high standards and there wasnt any injury that i was aware of. was also interested in how SMOSH allowed Pocock to play the members wing alone all day, IMO was the best man on the ground and didnt get an opponent all day. there was an absolute ripper of a contest between Smitham and Porplicia in the third quarter both blokes going flat stick at the footy neither took there eyes of the footy and was a great collision, unfortunatly for Porplcia may have come out of it with a couple of broken ribs and after putting his body on the line for his team, he may have been a little dissapointed in 2 efforts in the last quarter from other players in there forward 50. i was sitting next to a very vocal smosh crowd and they were not overly impressed with the 2 efforts in question.

Bring on next week

Not bad at all for a bloke (Pocock) who hadn't (as I understand) played for five weeks. His run and three goals hurt the Lion's no question about that.

[SATCHEL]

Went and watched the Dizzies SMOSH game on the weekend were Dizzies were very impressive, was very surprised to see the 2nd leading goal kicking in the comp benched for the whole 2nd half after getting a bit of a spray from the coach after what was a pretty quiet half of footy for his high standards and there wasnt any injury that i was aware of. was also interested in how SMOSH allowed Pocock to play the members wing alone all day, IMO was the best man on the ground and didnt get an opponent all day. there was an absolute ripper of a contest between Smitham and Porplicia in the third quarter both blokes going flat stick at the footy neither took there eyes of the footy and was a great collision, unfortunatly for Porplcia may have come out of it with a couple of broken ribs and after putting his body on the line for his team, he may have been a little dissapointed in 2 efforts in the last quarter from other players in there forward 50. i was sitting next to a very vocal smosh crowd and they were not overly impressed with the 2 efforts in question.Bring on next week

Would SMOSH be impressed witht he efforts of the bloke in the "Onsie" that had a crack at one of his own mates then starting a bit of an all in on the far wing/pocket? By all accounts it got extremely heated with the local blue boys getting across to break it up. Now this is only words from a few that were at the game and afterwards. I left just as the siren went so i didnt see it personally. Would be a shadow on what was a good game and not something you'd expect from either club.

[Cohiba]

Went and watched the Dizzies SMOSH game on the weekend were Dizzies were very impressive, was very surprised to see the 2nd leading goal kicking in the comp benched for the whole 2nd half after getting a bit of a spray from the coach after what was a pretty quiet half of footy for his high standards and there wasnt any injury that i was aware of. was also interested in how SMOSH allowed Pocock to play the members wing alone all day, IMO was the best man on the ground and didnt get an opponent all day. there was an absolute ripper of a contest between Smitham and Porplicia in the third quarter both blokes going flat stick at the footy neither took there eyes of the footy and was a great collision, unfortunatly for Porplcia may have come out of it with a couple of broken ribs and after putting his body on the line for his team, he may have been a little dissapointed in 2 efforts in the last quarter from other players in there forward 50. i was sitting next to a very vocal smosh crowd and they were not overly impressed with the 2 efforts in question.Bring on next week

Would SMOSH be impressed witht he efforts of the bloke in the "Onsie" that had a crack at one of his own mates then starting a bit of an all in on the far wing/pocket? By all accounts it got extremely heated with the local blue boys getting across to break it up. Now this is only words from a few that were at the game and afterwards. I left just as the siren went so i didnt see it personally. Would be a shadow on what was a good game and not something you'd expect from either club.

Young blokes with too much to drink ....becoming too sensitive .....and then too much to say. Luckily older and wiser heads prevailed and we had some sensible people on both sides that defused a heated exchange I am happy to say without to much fan fare or problem......Agree it was a very good game.

[Footy Smart]

Well I thought this place would be alive with chatter, seeing as though the local rivalry is now headed for a GF.

Well done to both sides, Portland surprised me with making it straight through to divvy 1 but a great effort non the less. I thought SMOSH with Rae up and about would probably meet Districts in the GF but in finals anything can happen. Districts well coached and have mature match winners and Portland with a more even spread of contributors.

Will no doubt be a very tight game but ill go with Districts by 6 pts McDowell to kick 5

[bird of prey]

I'm surprised that you've been quiet on here FS.

You gonna fill everyone in on who your new coach is

[Footy Smart]

I'm surprised that you've been quiet on here FS.

You gonna fill everyone in on who your new coach is

were in Div 3 mate

[Gomer]

Watched Districts in the lead up to last weeks game. The million dollar question for Port Districts is. Will they allow Westhoff to play this week after goin missing again?