Rnd 1 Port Adelaide / WWT Eagles Review

[Premiers]

Well done Port - looked very very impressive.
Eagles still have the glaring deficiency that they've had for the past 2 seasons DESPITE defying the odds and playing a superb Grand Final. Those two deficiencies have been 1. a second strong forward to back up Grocke - Lee Staple is an excellent lead up forward but not suited to pack marking/ bring it to ground/ clearing a pathway.
2. a speedy, cumbing rover (almost had one years ago with Jeremy Clayton).

Killian looked good in the ruck for the Seconds. Could be worth trying up forward - has skills and isn't going to pushed around with his strength. Other than that, may have to wait 8 weeks before Staple comes back and ? how many wins on the board by then.
Last year even in our Premiership year, we struggled to kick over 14 goals a game and it may be the same this year.

[Big Phil]

Warren Partland's match review from Localfootysa...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6308868942

[Big Phil]

And here is Jai Bednall's take on the game, from Localfootysa...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6309118210

[MightyEagles]

U16s
Eagles 3.2 5.4 7.7 10.9.69
Port 3.1 7.2 7.7 11.10.76

U18
Eagles 5.3 9.9 14.11 17.14.116
Port 4.3 5.4 7.6 11.9.75

Both games were at Alberton.

[Dogwatcher]

This thread reminds me of West / Central early last year ... good start, but a very long season ahead.

I've said that to a few Port supporters myself - put them back in their box. They hate me, of course.
I guess, extrapolating further, it means the Eagles won't go back to back and that there are seven teams left in the premiership hunt.

[klaan]

And here is Jai Bednall's take on the game, from Localfootysa...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6309118210

Is Jai Bednall the most sour faced reporter in the history of the game? Lighten up Jai, you might want to start endeering yourself to us normal folk instead of walking around with your head up your....

[csbowes]

I think Port are a good chance to be top three this season... fantastic pre-season results and a great opening match.

... you can't ask for more than what they have provided already this season.

I (for one) will be pleased if Port make the top three and I wouldn't mind seeing them play off in the grannie actually.

... against Sturt of course!

[Madportsman]

I thought Port were just a bit more hard at it and wanted it more. Thurgoods chase and tackle from behind in the third quarter (I think) which earnt him a shot at goal was proof of that.

Also kicking a goal within first minute of second quarter against the breeze when eagles struggled to get it down there fot the whole first quarter.

I was standing next to the scoreboard and thought the lights were great. Only downer was a bit of a walk to the toilet. Good bbq.

[beenreal]

Fantastic night, even though my retina's are burned out from staring into the time clock.

Round 1 form is notoriously misleading especially against a quality outfit like the eagles. But I'll take a win anyday.

Only downside from the evening was banter turning nasty with Eagles supporters yelling "How's your spleen?" to Jeremy Clayton. Poor form, a bit like asking "How's the knee?" to Trent Hentschel.

But that's OK, they were pretty quiet for the next 3 quarters.

[JK]

Im sure Port fans will have discussed this a lot, but Luke Harder's finishing could be a massive key for them I reckon ... I am a fan of his style of play, and technically his kicking looks ok to me, but somehow he always seems to have a lot of near misses on goal - Start converting those and Ports scoring options run seriously deep.

Did Mercer play in the Magoo's, and if so, how did he go?

[schimma]

Fantastic night, even though my retina's are burned out from staring into the time clock.

Round 1 form is notoriously misleading especially against a quality outfit like the eagles. But I'll take a win anyday.

Only downside from the evening was banter turning nasty with Eagles supporters yelling "How's your spleen?" to Jeremy Clayton. Poor form, a bit like asking "How's the knee?" to Trent Hentschel.

But that's OK, they were pretty quiet for the next 3 quarters.

well every club has supporters like that. Like the Port supporters calling Cicca the softest player in the league. Its footy build a bridge. banter happens. Thought Port were real good. Moved the ball well and looked dangerous everytime the ball moved forward. Clayton is a gun. If he stays fit they will have a good year. Its too early to call them top 3. Eagles were slow and made Alot of fundemental errors. Looked like a side that is still in the stages of a heavy training set.

[human_torpedo]

Have been giving it some thought, and ive decided that im not going to unload on the Eagles asmuch as i felt like at around 10pm Friday night, it is after all only 1 round into a long season, and every one has a flat game..

Areas of concerns are abundant though, starting with the ruck. I know its been mentioned here a fair bit, but in my opinion, I think Redden will spend the majority of the season, or at least the first half of it, in the AFL, and if he takes his chance given to him we may not see him at all.. This leaves us with Bock as second ruck, and he is not a SANFL ruckman, simple.. Cockshell and Miecklejohn, admittedly 2 monsters who will cause all sorts of headaches for all sides this year, just rag dolled him around and we were not even competitive when Parry was resting, hence the clearance disparity..

Chris Knights, since he plays for both sides i follow closely, he is a concern for me.. I think he is closer to SANFL ressies than AFL footy right now. He has lost 2 yards in pace, 15m off his kick, and just looks lethargic and like he cant get out of second gear.. Sanderson may make me eat my words at the selection table this week, but I think he will spend a fair bit of time at the Eagles this year, and he really needs to recapture his 2009 form or he may find himself unemployed come October..

Positives for the Eagles were Grieger, gave Wilson a touch up in my opinion, and Wilson will kick north of 70 this year, so thats a good sign for Grieg's.. Lewis just finds the ball at will, but needs team mates to go with him, he cant do it all himself.. Shirley, Kane and Eddy will be better for the run in the new side, and Macca wont play that poorly again, so its not all doom and gloom.. We do need our second tier players to step up again (Goldsworthy, Hall, Day, Raymond) to name a few, as they were a massive difference in the finals last year..

Quick word on Port, super impressive, ran hard and the tackling pressure was immense, even on thebby which is a massive ground, it always looked like the Eagles had no time on the ball, which is no mean feat on Thebby.. Clayton, star. Summerton had a quiet-ish game but still bobbed up for 20 and 3 goals on the back of a good second half. Wilson will be a good target all year, he is a monster who will rip games open this year.. Port are looking good, finals should be there pass mark, my only concern is the young-ish side may fade out at times through out the year, but when on form.. Look out!

[Mr Fuller]

I think we will be ok once Hoban is back to lend Parry a hand. We might as well not have a second ruck if Bock is playing.

To me the biggest concern is our scoring power. Recall when Godden began that we could expect 'exciting football' ? Well I wouldn't call our brand of football exciting. Perhaps dogged and tough but ultimately it is a boring brand of footy that sees us go sidesways and backwards instead of forwards. Hence we will never kick more than 12-13 goals in any game. No doubt we will hear Godden bring out the usual lines last year like 'the players aren't following the game plan'. I hope I'm wrong but I just don't see it.

To me Grocke HAS to play CHF. I'd rather them try Fitzgerald down there and let him learn the game. The key is to get it down there because too often we break down across CHF. That is where we need our key players. Staple is good but I think is lack of body size means he is more suited to a flank.

[Spargo]

I (for one) will be pleased if Port make the top three and I wouldn't mind seeing them play off in the grannie actually.

You have a short memory. I expected a tad more from strut supporter.

[mickey]

Good bbq.

You can not be serious!!!

[The Sleeping Giant]

Good bbq.

You can not be serious!!!

Distinct lack of bbq connoisseurs on this site. Seem to be happy with cheap meat cooked in fat with sauce and paper thin bread.

[Columbo]

Chris Knights, since he plays for both sides i follow closely, he is a concern for me.. I think he is closer to SANFL ressies than AFL footy right now. He has lost 2 yards in pace, 15m off his kick, and just looks lethargic and like he cant get out of second gear.. Sanderson may make me eat my words at the selection table this week, but I think he will spend a fair bit of time at the Eagles this year, and he really needs to recapture his 2009 form or he may find himself unemployed come October..

Certainly wasn't Knighta's best game Friday night. He's never been super quick and his kicking wasn't great (he had a few mates though) but in the trial at Noarlunga he kicked 3 goals all from outside 50 with ease so may have just been an off night. Will be an interesting year for him especially considering his free agency.

[Madportsman]

Good bbq.

You can not be serious!!!

6x super drys + 4x bourban cans = Good BBq

[mickey]

Good bbq.

You can not be serious!!!

6x super drys + 4x bourban cans = Good BBq

That = a good bar... not a good bbq

[valleys07]

Have been giving it some thought, and ive decided that im not going to unload on the Eagles asmuch as i felt like at around 10pm Friday night, it is after all only 1 round into a long season, and every one has a flat game..

Areas of concerns are abundant though, starting with the ruck. I know its been mentioned here a fair bit, but in my opinion, I think Redden will spend the majority of the season, or at least the first half of it, in the AFL, and if he takes his chance given to him we may not see him at all.. This leaves us with Bock as second ruck, and he is not a SANFL ruckman, simple.. Cockshell and Miecklejohn, admittedly 2 monsters who will cause all sorts of headaches for all sides this year, just rag dolled him around and we were not even competitive when Parry was resting, hence the clearance disparity..

Chris Knights, since he plays for both sides i follow closely, he is a concern for me.. I think he is closer to SANFL ressies than AFL footy right now. He has lost 2 yards in pace, 15m off his kick, and just looks lethargic and like he cant get out of second gear.. Sanderson may make me eat my words at the selection table this week, but I think he will spend a fair bit of time at the Eagles this year, and he really needs to recapture his 2009 form or he may find himself unemployed come October..

Positives for the Eagles were Grieger, gave Wilson a touch up in my opinion, and Wilson will kick north of 70 this year, so thats a good sign for Grieg's.. Lewis just finds the ball at will, but needs team mates to go with him, he cant do it all himself.. Shirley, Kane and Eddy will be better for the run in the new side, and Macca wont play that poorly again, so its not all doom and gloom.. We do need our second tier players to step up again (Goldsworthy, Hall, Day, Raymond) to name a few, as they were a massive difference in the finals last year..

Quick word on Port, super impressive, ran hard and the tackling pressure was immense, even on thebby which is a massive ground, it always looked like the Eagles had no time on the ball, which is no mean feat on Thebby.. Clayton, star. Summerton had a quiet-ish game but still bobbed up for 20 and 3 goals on the back of a good second half. Wilson will be a good target all year, he is a monster who will rip games open this year.. Port are looking good, finals should be there pass mark, my only concern is the young-ish side may fade out at times through out the year, but when on form.. Look out!

Very good review there HT. Grieger was super impressive, I went down there with the expectation Wilson would dominate and was hardly sighted.

Agree that WWT ruck stocks are a huge concern, Bock looked very out of place, but there isnt too many Jimmy / cockshell combo's running around in the SANFL so he will develop.