sanfl round 9 port v central @ alberton sunday 25/5/08

[GWW]

Been down and out for the last couple of years

[smac]

Havelberg won't get a kick on Achee sunday. Actually I don't think Port will waste their time matching Achee up on him.
As a matter of fact i think Port will win this game. As bad as Port are spasmotically playing, i don't think Centrals are setting the world on fire & they are far from the dominant side of previous years.
When Port look down & out, thats when you need to be wary of them.

Whilst I agree that Achee would be wasted on Havelberg, I'm unsure Port can cover Cowan, Lawry and Havelberg well enough to stop at least one of them having a bit of a day out. The key to the game is the midfield this week as I am also unsure we can match up well on Hargraves if he is switched on (as it appears he has been lately).

Still missing Callinan and Gowans from the midfield could be costly for the dogs, but I think we'll scrape in by 3 goals or less. Always a good day and good crowd at Alberton for these games, looking forward to it.

[Big Phil]

Havelberg won't get a kick on Achee sunday. Actually I don't think Port will waste their time matching Achee up on him.
As a matter of fact i think Port will win this game. As bad as Port are spasmotically playing, i don't think Centrals are setting the world on fire & they are far from the dominant side of previous years.
When Port look down & out, thats when you need to be wary of them.

Whilst I agree that Achee would be wasted on Havelberg, I'm unsure Port can cover Cowan, Lawry and Havelberg well enough to stop at least one of them having a bit of a day out. The key to the game is the midfield this week as I am also unsure we can match up well on Hargraves if he is switched on (as it appears he has been lately).

Still missing Callinan and Gowans from the midfield could be costly for the dogs, but I think we'll scrape in by 3 goals or less. Always a good day and good crowd at Alberton for these games, looking forward to it.

Smac,

Port wont have to worry about Cowan according to this weeks budget...

I posted this over on the Centrals forum and someone with "inside info" confirmed what I was worrying about as correct...

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Hey Doggies Fans,

I went for a walk down the Parade last night with a Redlegs mate of mine (poor fella !!) to watch the Norwood v Glenelg game. Obviously I got my Budget in advance and I noticed something that concerns me just a little bit. Luke Cowan, # 26, was named in the reserves. Sometimes, blokes who are struggling for form, as Luke is, do get named in the reserves as a bit of a signal that they are on notice and need to start performing or they will be playing in the early game.

Well, that would be fair enough in Luke's case, who we all know is more than capable but he is just struggling to find form since coming back from injury, but the thing that worried me a little bit, is Luke Cowan was not listed on the League team sheet. Now of course, the final 21 can be changed right up until a couple of hours before start time, but I would feel a hell of a lot more comfortable with Luke in the side. I just don't think we will have enough forward line options and height if Luke plays in the early game. I know Schelly and Hav are versatile but with Port's forward line consisting of Hargraves, Waterhouse, Perry, Taylor and possibly Ahchee all with a bit of height, I just thing our two guys mentioned will be needed down back and feel Sponge will be a requirement in attack.

Anyway, I'll just have to wait until 11.15am tomorrow to see whether or not Sponge is in the early game or if he will line up for the League team. I really hope Luke does play in the main game, I just think we are more of a chance to win with him in our side than we are without him. Maybe to get his confidence up a bit, maybe Roy could give him a rin here and there in the ruck ??? Just something different to challenge him and hopefully bring the best out in him. Well, I guess I'll see ya at the footy tomorrow folks, let's hope we can have a good strong win...

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

I don't like the look of our forward line without Sponge, although admittedly he hasn't been in great form but in fairness he is coming back from a long term injury. I just think we can't afford to send Schelly forward with Port having a tall forward line and Dan Havelberg is just playing too inconsistantly at the moment whether it be down back or in attack. We will rely heavily on smaller crumbers like Noodles, Slade, Gowans, McCabe and Dutschke to help kick goals and Heath Lawry is going to have to play a blinder at CHF. I hope we can still have enough fire power up forward to win the game and despite me being disspointed Luke Cowan is likely to play 2's, I think we will just win in a tight game, by 2 goal.

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

[CENTURION]

With all of the unusual results both here & the Awful, I have one of those horrible feelings that I sometimes get when things don't seem right & I suspect that We could be on the end of an old-fashioned football lesson at Alberton today, I hope I'm wrong but, like I stated before, it could be just the thing that The 'Dogs need to kick-start them into playing a higher standard of footy for the rest of the season. Good luck today anyway, Centrals. GO YYYYYYOOOOOO DOGS!

[smac]

I have that feeling too, Centurion. Am putting it down to the booze last night for now.

[CENTURION]

I have that feeling too, Centurion. Am putting it down to the booze last night for now.

True, 3 bottles of "Mojo" Sav. Blanc could do that!

[doggies4eva]

With all of the unusual results both here & the Awful, I have one of those horrible feelings that I sometimes get when things don't seem right & I suspect that We could be on the end of an old-fashioned football lesson at Alberton today, I hope I'm wrong but, like I stated before, it could be just the thing that The 'Dogs need to kick-start them into playing a higher standard of footy for the rest of the season. Good luck today anyway, Centrals. GO YYYYYYOOOOOO DOGS!

I'm glad you were wrong - about the loss. Hopefully you were right about the kick-start bit.

Pity we have a break now.