Pup wrote:acockfromwayback wrote:For Port to succeed it is time for Westhoff, Gray, Salopek(1/2 there), Surjan, Carlisle, Chaplin to stamp their own mark on the competition, they all have played good football at times, but they have to realise that they are the new senior group. Until they mature Port are doomed.
Doomed? Pretty strong words. They are equal 7th and one game out of the top 4. Hardly doomed.
Carlisle- 43 Games (22)
Westhoff- 41 Games (22)
Gray- 26 Games (21)
Salopek- 89 Games (24)
Surjan- 78 Games (23)
Chaplin- 73 Games (23)
How is the new senior group? Yes it will be eventually but at the moment most of them are kids still learning the trade not to mention Surjan is ordinary at best and Chaplin is just a solid reliable defender. Salopek can improve and possibly seen as a leader but Westhoff, Carlisle and Gray are still developing.
Why don't you point your finger at the likes of Rodan, Motlop, Burgoyne and Cornes Brothers, Josh Carr, Brogan and Lade, Logan, Cassisi, Pettigrew and co who have all had significant experience at this level. You can not rely on kids who have played less than 50 games to provide your backbone. yes of course they will need to keep improving but lets give them a chance to do that without rolling lines like Doomed and put their stamp on the competition.
Yes true to an extent...but how many games before you are expected to be consistent. Looking at other clubs. You have Rioli, Selwood, Gibbs, Tippett, Otten plus many more being crucial parts of teams and the majority of players i just listed have played 50 games or less.
I wasn't rambling on about Ports current so-called senior players because its obvious they are past their prime OR just bloody inconsistent. While i'm at it i will point the finger at those players you listed.
Rodan: Good when everyone else is, when the going gets hard he disappears
Motlop: I am a fan of this guys freakish ability, but a show pony and probably not what Port needs currently.
Peter Burgoyne: IS past it, had some great years, but has lost all advantages he had over opponents
Carr: ???? no desire? Did he lose it when Ricciuto retired?
Pettigrew: Can play, but refuses to consistently
Logan: fringe player that tries hard, bit like Shirley for the crows.
Chad Cornes is an important player(when fit) can dominate games
Kane Cornes is a great tagger. period
Brogan is a Bogan but can play well occasionally, Port would not miss him. imo
Lade was a pure blood champion of the game, sadly age is and has taken its toll
Cassisi: tries hard.
