PAFC 5.7.37
RFC 1.14.10.103
Goals- Young 2, Broadbent, Clurey, Redden.
![Image](http://bakermen.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/officer-barbrady-move-along-people.jpeg)
I read a great stat before the first bounce, which immediately put my heart at ease and allowed me to brace myself for what was going to be a long afternoon in front of the telly. The stat? Richmond had a combined games tally today of 2003 playing today, Port had 682. More compelling was our outs: Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Ollie Wines, Kane Cornes, Matt Lobbe, Alipate Carlisle, Jackson Trengove, Tom Jonas, Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard, Paddy Ryder, Angus Monfries. What this did offer us was a magnificent opportunity to observe our 2nd tier talent, exposing some of them to the elite level for the first time.
Given the lopsided result, there isn’t a great deal to discuss.
Things that went right:
• Our adherence to our game plan was consistent over 4 quarters. Despite the scoreline, I thought the teams endeavour to stick to Hinkley’s attacking mantra was pleasing. Whilst the skills and fitness levels of the squad’s younger players are evidently disproportional, it will be great to watch the evolution of some of these players at SANFL level as the season progresses.
• The performance of a few players in uncustomary positions. Fingers crossed this given Ken an added string to the bow if teams get a sustained period of dominance in a particular area.
Things that went wrong:
• Skill level was disappointing. Excluding the first year draftees, it was really disappointing to see simple skill errors and unforced errors from players that have been on our list for multiple seasons.
• A 2nd string forward line that is a long way back from the pack. Evidence is clear we are a long way back from the depth of a Hawthorn and Sydney. If we get injuries to KPP’s again this year, it will severely dent our chances of a 2nd Premiership.
Player Reviews:
TOP 5:
Jared Polec. I thought Jared was our best player today and is looking towards becoming a more consistent cog in our midfield this season. Visibly stronger around the contest and again fitter on last year, his repeat running a highlight. 26 touches (19 UCP), 5 clearances, 3 I50’s saw him top Port’s statistical numbers along with Mitchell. Will benefit from a stronger showing in the contested stakes, particularly stoppages.
Matthew Broadbent- Liked what I saw of Brogsy today, particularly when Ken flagged more midfield minutes for Matty this season earlier this week and during today’s game. Took a little while to get into the contest, but was clearly our most dominant midfielder after half time. Finished the game with 21 possessions, 4 clearances, 3 I50’s and a nice goal. Look forward to seeing him through the midfield this season as I do believe he can add value to the quality of F50 entries with elite disposal, similar to Hamish Hartlett with the ability to kick over the lines.
Paul Stewart- Put in another compelling performance on the much taller Vickery, whilst generating significant rebound offensively. Numbers of 20 touches, 7 marks, 3 R50s backed up a strong performance from last week, and another performance like this next week will give Hinkley one hell of a conundrum surrounding the make-up of his back 6 in round 1.
Jack Hombsch- In fairness, Jack Riewoldt got the better of the contest early, but not a lot did go right when a scoreline of 38-0 was the result at quarter time. Hombschy gradually got the better of the contest as the game wore on, forcing Riewoldt to collect a lot of his possessions up the field and limit his presence on the scoreboard. Numbers of 13 possessions, 7 marks and 2 R50’s whilst limiting Riewoldt to 11 touches and a goal is a solid first up performance for 2015.
Karl Amon- Beginning to find his feet and is getting closer to a debut by the week. He was a little sloppy by foot on occasions, but works very hard offensively and was solid defensively. 18 touches, 7 marks and 3 tackles rounded out a solid day.
The rest:
Kane Mitchell- 26 touches (65% DE) and 3 I50’s looks good on paper, but was largely ineffective for mine. Works hard both ways, but I’m not sure he has what it takes to cut our best 22. Makes far too many skill errors (largely under no pressure), which just won’t see him take that next step.
Aaron Young- Did some nice things, finishing with 21 touches and 2 goals. Well and truly in line for a round 1 spot after the poor showing of his competitors.
Cam O’Shea- It’s hard to gauge the quality of defenders when they are under the pump to the magnitude Port were today, but along with Stewart and Hombsch, I thought O’Shea defended really well. 16 touches and 7 marks probably won’t see him in the round 1 line up, but definitely around the mark.
Tom Logan-12 possessions and 5 marks with 4 1%ers, a typlical Logan game- workman like.
Brendon Ah Chee- Needs to improve and quickly. Unlike last week he found some footy today, finishing with 14 touches and 3 tackles. Good in close but Port fans question his pace and I’m inclined to agree. Will need some consistent 30+ SANFL games in the Ben Newton mould to get a look in this season.
Jarrad Redden- Was just brilliant to see the big fella back in action. Largely ineffective due to his 2 year hiatus from any level of footy and Maric showed the gap in fitness, but a last quarter goal along with 21 hitouts was another step in his recovery. Will be a massive in for the Magpies as he re-gains his touch throughout the season.
Matt White- His round 1 spot under question for mine. 2 uninspiring displays leave a massive game against the crows required to get a game IMO. 11 touches (most coming late) just isn’t good enough, his run and drive a serious weapon to our premiership hopes.
Jake Neade- Another battling for a spot for Round 1 and although he tried hard, left me unconvinced. Given no space to work his magic, but finished with 3 tackles and was solid defensively.
Darcy Byrne-Jones- Largely insignificant for mine. Went without a disposal for the first half, and although he finished with 9, DE @ 44% won’t do him any favours. Another season to develop in the SANFL beckons.
Tom Clurey- Matched up on Lambert for the 1st half defensively who probably had him for pace. Switched him into the midfield in the 2nd half, finishing with 10 touches at 90% DE and 8 1%ers, rounding out a solid defensive game.
Jasper Pittard- Was excellent until he was subbed off, he is in for a massive year I reckon. 10 touches, 5 marks and 2 R50’s from 50% TOG suggests enough that Ken sees him a massive part of our back 6. Crucial he develops into a fringe A grader, his rebound critical to many of our offensive plays.
Andrew Moore- Back in the pack for a round 1 gig, undid everything that set him apart last week IMO. 12 touches @ 66%, 5 clangers and no influence around the stoppages or centre clearances, as well as no scoreboard impact. Will need a massive game next week to bring him into R1 contention.
Nathan Krakouer- Again very very good, especially in the first half. Tired as the game wore on (expected) but with a senior spot likely available, he is a monty to grab it. His numbers were 10 touches @ 80% DE and 6 R50’s and 6 1%ers- a terrific performance defensively, not giving his opponent an inch.
Sam Gray- His cleanliness stood out today, making many unforced errors under no pressure. 12 touches with 3 clangers and no scoreboard impact. Well and truly superseded by the Krak for a senior spot.
Johann Wagner- Liked what I saw from a SANFL perspective, as I think he has a lot to offer the Magpies this season. Tremendous pace and strength, just needs to impose himself more on the contest. Wished he had of slotted the shot on goal in the 3rd, but was good defensively with 4 tackles and 3 1%ers.
Dougal Howard- I think we have something to work with here, and will offer a bit to the Magpies this season. Crashes packs hard, and whilst he didn’t record great numbers (8 touches, 3 marks)- one certainly can’t question his endeavour.
Jesse Palmer- Similar to Howard, looking forward to watching what he brings to the Magpies this season. Limited time with the ball (6 touches from 52% TOG), but did a few nice things.
Sam Russell- No impact on the contest as the sub, finishing with 1 posession from 40% TOG. Laid 4 tackles, which is a noticeable feature of his game from his 2014 season with the Magpies. Needs to develop offensively.
John Butcher- Same old. Headless chook- constantly out of position, no impact on the contest when the ball went forward. Took a couple of nice grabs when shifted to defence but largely uninspiring.
Mitch Harvey- Huge lump of a lad that needs a mountain of work aerobically to impact the contest. Did some nice things in the centre square when giving Redden a chop out, but a lot of improvement is necessary to see him take the step to AFL level.
A close to full strength side will be on show when we take on the Crows at AAMI on Saturday 21st of March. Hopefully we will put our best resources forward in preparation for a trip out west- the first of a supremely tough 5 week block, season defining one might say. See you at the footy.
Valleys.