Port Adelaide 2015

[carey]

Just realized 6-9 win loss not what you thought our ladder position my bad

To many red cans

[bennymacca]

Crows are about where I thought they would be, pushing for the eight but below the best teams. I thought port would challenge for a grand final this year and so did almost everyone.

For them to be 6-9 at this stage of the season probably makes them the most disappointing team in the league. Maybe Brisbane still have you in that regard but it's not far off.

Kangeroos. Brisbane are shit and so are we Kangeroos were top 4. Kangeroos are Heatless Pretenders

Port 6-9

More like 14-18

6 wins and 9 losses carey my boy (edit: all good )

And Port were expected to be up there with North challenging for a top 4 berth.

If North are heartless pretenders, what does that make port given you have two less wins?

[carey]

We weren't top 4, they were. In fact we limped in to the finals. (I know you love stats look them up)

If the prelim went 90 more seconds we win no doubt but, We all got excited from then on in. Facts are we ain't that good now we're trying a game style that doesn't suit.

For mine I hope we now play kids, Finish 12-14 get a Crows like draw next year then wake up smell the coffee and have a huge go at playing 'our style of footy' again next year.

[bennymacca]

Facts are you made a prelim and almost everyone expected you to go very close to doing the same again. Go look at the prediction thread, and almost any footy Journo had them in the top 6 at worst.

[carey]

Facts are you made a prelim and almost everyone expected you to go very close to doing the same again. Go look at the prediction thread, and almost any footy Journo had them in the top 6 at worst.

Does that make them right? No it doesn't, proof is in the Win Loss column and Facts are Port got ahead of themselves.

[bennymacca]

Facts are you made a prelim and almost everyone expected you to go very close to doing the same again. Go look at the prediction thread, and almost any footy Journo had them in the top 6 at worst.

Does that make them right? No it doesn't, proof is in the Win Loss column and Facts are Port got ahead of themselves.

getting ahead of themselves is right. But surely you also agree that port should be going better this year?

[carey]

No I don't. I've been saying and have all year until we play 'our style' of football we are an average side at best.

I admit I thought Ryder would be very good for us but, His been a massive fail.

Ports game is play on at all cost with quick ball movement through the middle, I've seen it once this year and that was the first 1/4 against the 2015 premiers apart from that f**k all.

[Spargo]

We weren't top 4, they were. In fact we limped in to the finals. (I know you love stats look them up)

If the prelim went 90 more seconds we win no doubt but, We all got excited from then on in. Facts are we ain't that good now we're trying a game style that doesn't suit.

For mine I hope we now play kids, Finish 12-14 get a Crows like draw next year then wake up smell the coffee and have a huge go at playing 'our style of footy' again next year.

North didn't finish top 4 at the end of the minor round either.
If you're going to constantly spell Kangaroos incorrectly, can you at least get your facts right.....

[Booney]

Well it was tables turned yesterday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide fans would admit they’ve been frustrated by their sides slow starts this year that has them playing catch up footy for the much of the game resulting in tired legs and minds making poor skill errors and decisions. Not so yesterday.

Adelaide burst out of the blocks to jump to an early lead by making the most of every one of their F50 entries. 6 goals straight at one point to 2.4 and both sides had had their turn with it, one side just used it much better than the other. Jenkins, Walker and Lynch looked ominous up forward and Jacobs was giving Thompson, Danger and Douglas a good look at it. For Port, Ryder looked on as did Hartlett who had gone deeper into defence to cover the loss of Pittard. Adelaide by 15 at the first change.

The second quarter was a much more of an arm wrestle, 5 goals to both sides and although the gap was still 3 goals it looked as though Port were getting some more run from defence and had Ryder hit the scoreboard again, Wingard got some valuable touches but a lack of discipline ( or slightly dodgy calls ) gave Adelaide a couple of easy goals on the back of 2 50m penalties. One of them, Trengove on Cameron was in a marking contest, slightly late, but it was a contest and it was also a 50. The other, O’Shea going over the mark inside the centre square was a costly error that need not have happened. Again, Jacobs and the Adelaide mids were dictating the run of play but it was Port’s back half just getting on top. Boy, did that change.

Adelaide were on fire straight after the main break, a 7 goal quarter ultimately set up the win and the work of Lynch and Walker during this quarter proved to be the difference. Lynch lost Clurey on several occasions to create an avenue to Adelaide’s goal mouth, Betts slipped out the back for an easy one after a terrible turnover from Neade while Laird and Henderson started to mop up down back.
The loss of Talia looked to be bad news for Adelaide, Ryder and Schulz were offering targets and Adelaide fans full well know that Westhoff can take the game from them. With Talia off it was down to Hartigan to take Schulz and the undersized Lever and Henderson to battle with Ryder or the resting Lobbe ( who kicked 2 ) and Westhoff. They held sway as Port wasted more ball coming forward and an even 30 points at ¾ time looked to much for Port to peg back.

The last quarter was an interesting one for both sides. The first 5 minutes showed Adelaide intention. Slow the play, move the ball sideways to uncontested possession and keep the ball off Port. They almost looked like they were happy to go goalless from the outset, might not have been 100% their intention, but it ended up exactly that way. Adelaide held goalless for the last stanza.

It was an arm wrestle until about the 15 minute mark when Ryder marked and goaled, so did Wingard, so did Lobbe.....all of a sudden it’s back to 17 points. Boak gets the aid of a 50m penalty and it’s back to 11 with about 6 minutes to go. Game on. One costly miss from Westhoff during this period proved to be very, very costly.

Port push forward and the skills of Robbie Gray shine as he swoops, snaps truly and it’s a 3 point ball game. Adelaide are still sitting back, happy to let Port come at them and when Adelaide got the ball from defence to the wing they were happy to back pedal and hold possession again. And this is how the frantic last quarter would end, Adelaide just holding on by 3 points.

The main points from the game :

• Adelaide moved the ball from defence to attack far too easily on far too many occasions. Smith, Martin and Wright only had about 40 touches between the three of them, but many of them were from deep in defence at kick ins or ball ups that cleared the zone for Adelaide. This happened often and without too much pressure from Port.
• Sam Jacobs would like to play against Port every week. As I noted in my preview he had been a little off for a month or so, but did he show up on the weekend or what? 50+ hitouts giving Thompson, Dangerfield and Douglas first look and they took advantage of this with 89 disposals and 32 clearances between them. This was the difference. Port had 39 clearances combined.
• Adelaide held Wines to 19 touches and 8 clearances. Hey, most players would be happy with these numbers but Wines has been Ports prime mover for a few weeks now and his influence was limited by the Adelaide mids. Mainly as they got the ball first.
• Adelaide’s forwards who have had a quiet few weeks found some form. Walker with 6 marks, 3 goals and 3 goal assists was important leading his team. Jenkins had 5 marks (3 I50 ) and 3 goals and Cameron hit the board with 2 goals. Port, mainly Krakouer, kept Betts pretty much out of the game other than the cheap one he got out the back on a turnover. A real win for Krakouer there.

Once again Port fans go home lamenting the poor decision making and ball use from the back half and wonder why oh why have we started going sideways instead of direct to goal when we had, for the first time in weeks, seen a marking target in Ryder looking dangerous in front of goal.
Playing for pride now in 2015 with an eye on 2016 and getting the likes of Ah Chee, Young, Moore, Amon and Clurey more game time at the top level.
In the end Adelaide far too good around the ball, used the ball better and finished off in front of goal when they had to.

[Lightning McQueen]

I only listened to yesterday's game and went in for a watch every now and then, is Aaron Young up to it? He seems to get caught with the ball a lot and more often than not get's pinged, sometimes harshly, perhaps he should shave his scone.

[Lightning McQueen]

No I don't. I've been saying and have all year until we play 'our style' of football we are an average side at best.

I admit I thought Ryder would be very good for us but, His been a massive fail.

Ports game is play on at all cost with quick ball movement through the middle, I've seen it once this year and that was the first 1/4 against the 2015 premiers apart from that f**k all.

I've been a massive Ryder critic, I'm glad he put in a good one yesterday, too little too late though.

[valleys07]

Pretty much bang on there, Boon.

I PM'd Failed Creation after the game, basically praying for Port to drop this "daily half marathon" training method we seem to be running during pre-season, and get the effing footballs out. I can't recall ever seeing the skill level of one particular team take such a drastic drop over a season. Maybe I am overlooking it, as our run and gun game plan may have masked our poor skill level last season, coupled with teams still adjusting to being able to counteract our game plan.

Now that has been worked out, our turnovers are an absolute disgrace to watch. Ill highlight one player, in Jarman Impey. Twice against Sydney and Adelaide, he has had the ball in 10 meters of space, at least, and couldn't have laced out an opposition player better if he tried. I couldn't give a stuff how good a sidestep you can produce, or how well you can defend one on one, or how good a contested player you are, or how quick you are on the outside- Port need to take a tough stance on skill level. If you cannot hit a target over 20 meters under no pressure, GTFO. That is the difference between Hawthorn and every other side in the competition at present. We are galaxies away from Richmond in terms of skill level, let alone the Hawks.

I am sick of one other stat. Port have lost 18 games since the beginning of 2014. 11 of these losses have been by 10 points or less. Now the damning number for me would be the number of these “close losses”, where we have ****ed around for 3 quarters, then leave ourselves a near insurmountable task to win the game, only to fall a kick or 2 short. Yesterday, Carlton, 2014 Preliminary Final, Round 23 2014 are all classic examples of this. It’s a “hero” script and its rubbish. Why the **** can we not play 4 consistent quarters and steamroll sides in the last? No, instead we want the fairytale comeback, only to fall a kick short.

Now- on to my next criticism. This is in no way intended to disrespect the legacy of Phil Walsh.

A lot of what has been posted on various forums and social media highlights our supporters frustrations at becoming the competitions Mr. Nice Guy. Their criticisms for the most part, I actually agree with.

Port Adelaide build a foundation in the SANFL based on pure hatred from the opposition, but were universally respected. We were completely ruthless in pursuit of success. The club did not care what was thought of us, and it was reflected at the end of the season where the premiership would be the object when determining the success/failure of our season.

I understand Kochie’s motive, and I can’t bag him because what he has done for this club in terms of sponsorship, direction and presence far outweighs any negatives, but his comment on radio yesterday about Adelaide being his “2nd favourite team” gave me the absolute sh*ts. No way in hell would Eddie profess love for Carlton on game day radio, regardless of circumstance. He would express sympathy in light of tragedy, but 2nd favourite? Give me a break Kochie- they are and should always be, our most hated rival.

I agreed with many peoples sentiments regarding the outcome of the match being decided well before the first bounce. Whilst Boaky was interested in sympathising with the AFC during our pressers, Dangerfield declared war during his. One team wanted to win, the other team wanted to make sure that it was a game to remember, and nobodies feelings were hurt at the end of the day. Sadly- the result reflected this to a tee.

On a day where Port Adelaide had the opportunity to exploit Adelaide’s mental fragility and tear them to shreds, we pandered to the fairytale AFC win. “One for the ages”, “A showdown to remember”. Bollocks- it’s been the story of our year.

Cut the crap with the nice stuff, PAFC- it’s time we rediscovered our ability to be ruthless in pursuit of success. I don’t want the media to dub us “everyone’s 2nd favourite team”, or sit there watching media PAFC fap-sessions. I want wins, and I want premierships.

[Dutchy]

For mine I hope we now play kids, Finish 12-14 get a Crows like draw next year then wake up smell the coffee and have a huge go at playing 'our style of footy' again next year.

Aren't you a young team already? What kids would you play?

[bennymacca]

Pretty much bang on there, Boon.

I PM'd Failed Creation after the game, basically praying for Port to drop this "daily half marathon" training method we seem to be running during pre-season, and get the effing footballs out. I can't recall ever seeing the skill level of one particular team take such a drastic drop over a season. Maybe I am overlooking it, as our run and gun game plan may have masked our poor skill level last season, coupled with teams still adjusting to being able to counteract our game plan.

Now that has been worked out, our turnovers are an absolute disgrace to watch. Ill highlight one player, in Jarman Impey. Twice against Sydney and Adelaide, he has had the ball in 10 meters of space, at least, and couldn't have laced out an opposition player better if he tried. I couldn't give a stuff how good a sidestep you can produce, or how well you can defend one on one, or how good a contested player you are, or how quick you are on the outside- Port need to take a tough stance on skill level. If you cannot hit a target over 20 meters under no pressure, GTFO. That is the difference between Hawthorn and every other side in the competition at present. We are galaxies away from Richmond in terms of skill level, let alone the Hawks.

I am sick of one other stat. Port have lost 18 games since the beginning of 2014. 11 of these losses have been by 10 points or less. Now the damning number for me would be the number of these “close losses”, where we have ****ed around for 3 quarters, then leave ourselves a near insurmountable task to win the game, only to fall a kick or 2 short. Yesterday, Carlton, 2014 Preliminary Final, Round 23 2014 are all classic examples of this. It’s a “hero” script and its rubbish. Why the **** can we not play 4 consistent quarters and steamroll sides in the last? No, instead we want the fairytale comeback, only to fall a kick short.

Now- on to my next criticism. This is in no way intended to disrespect the legacy of Phil Walsh.

A lot of what has been posted on various forums and social media highlights our supporters frustrations at becoming the competitions Mr. Nice Guy. Their criticisms for the most part, I actually agree with.

Port Adelaide build a foundation in the SANFL based on pure hatred from the opposition, but were universally respected. We were completely ruthless in pursuit of success. The club did not care what was thought of us, and it was reflected at the end of the season where the premiership would be the object when determining the success/failure of our season.

I understand Kochie’s motive, and I can’t bag him because what he has done for this club in terms of sponsorship, direction and presence far outweighs any negatives, but his comment on radio yesterday about Adelaide being his “2nd favourite team” gave me the absolute sh*ts. No way in hell would Eddie profess love for Carlton on game day radio, regardless of circumstance. He would express sympathy in light of tragedy, but 2nd favourite? Give me a break Kochie- they are and should always be, our most hated rival.

I agreed with many peoples sentiments regarding the outcome of the match being decided well before the first bounce. Whilst Boaky was interested in sympathising with the AFC during our pressers, Dangerfield declared war during his. One team wanted to win, the other team wanted to make sure that it was a game to remember, and nobodies feelings were hurt at the end of the day. Sadly- the result reflected this to a tee.

On a day where Port Adelaide had the opportunity to exploit Adelaide’s mental fragility and tear them to shreds, we pandered to the fairytale AFC win. “One for the ages”, “A showdown to remember”. Bollocks- it’s been the story of our year.

Cut the crap with the nice stuff, PAFC- it’s time we rediscovered our ability to be ruthless in pursuit of success. I don’t want the media to dub us “everyone’s 2nd favourite team”, or sit there watching media PAFC fap-sessions. I want wins, and I want premierships.

Good post

Its been one of those years where there has always been another story - Carlton, then Essendon, then Brisbane, then the stuff with walsh etc - seems to have saved the power from real scrutiny.

[Rik E Boy]

No I don't. I've been saying and have all year until we play 'our style' of football we are an average side at best.

I admit I thought Ryder would be very good for us but, His been a massive fail.

Ports game is play on at all cost with quick ball movement through the middle, I've seen it once this year and that was the first 1/4 against the 2015 premiers apart from that f**k all.

If Ryder retires this year then he's a fail. I think he will prove to be a real asset for Port going forward. When Otto came to Geelong he didn't set the house on fire but became an invaluable player we still haven't adequetly replaced. Give the bloke some time. Not Port's year but they'll hit back pretty hard I think and Ryder will be a big part of that.

regards,

REB

[Jim05]

No I don't. I've been saying and have all year until we play 'our style' of football we are an average side at best.

I admit I thought Ryder would be very good for us but, His been a massive fail.

Ports game is play on at all cost with quick ball movement through the middle, I've seen it once this year and that was the first 1/4 against the 2015 premiers apart from that f**k all.

I've been a massive Ryder critic, I'm glad he put in a good one yesterday, too little too late though.

Was not bad yesterday, missed a soda in the last quarter and still dropping too many overhead marks, needs to clunk them. Led well and offered a target aswell a few handy taps to advantage

[bennymacca]

I thought port didnt use him often enough when they went forward. As Jim said, he also had a few hitouts to advantage in the last quarter, something Lobbe seemed unable to do, which almost won it.

That would be the level port would have expected

[Lightning McQueen]

No I don't. I've been saying and have all year until we play 'our style' of football we are an average side at best.

I admit I thought Ryder would be very good for us but, His been a massive fail.

Ports game is play on at all cost with quick ball movement through the middle, I've seen it once this year and that was the first 1/4 against the 2015 premiers apart from that f**k all.

If Ryder retires this year then he's a fail. I think he will prove to be a real asset for Port going forward. When Otto came to Geelong he didn't set the house on fire but became an invaluable player we still haven't adequetly replaced. Give the bloke some time. Not Port's year but they'll hit back pretty hard I think and Ryder will be a big part of that.

regards,

REB

He'll probably blossom next season without Schulzy there.

[Jim05]

No I don't. I've been saying and have all year until we play 'our style' of football we are an average side at best.

I admit I thought Ryder would be very good for us but, His been a massive fail.

Ports game is play on at all cost with quick ball movement through the middle, I've seen it once this year and that was the first 1/4 against the 2015 premiers apart from that f**k all.

If Ryder retires this year then he's a fail. I think he will prove to be a real asset for Port going forward. When Otto came to Geelong he didn't set the house on fire but became an invaluable player we still haven't adequetly replaced. Give the bloke some time. Not Port's year but they'll hit back pretty hard I think and Ryder will be a big part of that.

regards,

REB

He'll probably blossom next season without Schulzy there.

Doubt it. His best footy has always been as the lead ruckman with small patches resting in the forward line. Dont think they will ever see his best whilst him and Lobbe are on the same side

[Lightning McQueen]

Doubt it. His best footy has always been as the lead ruckman with small patches resting in the forward line. Dont think they will ever see his best whilst him and Lobbe are on the same side

I initially liked the prospect of having him up forward, there's no logical reason why him and Lobbe can't work well in the same team, Lobbe ruck from CHF back, Paddy to take the rest of the field.