Mid-season review 2009

[auto]

How would you rate PAFC at the midway part of the season?

[auto]

I would rate the season so far as dissapointing. In terms of points on the table i would have thought we would be a game or two higher especially considering the fairly easy draw weve had.

In terms of the way we have played, well i am majorly dissapointed. We are supposed to be living the Creed, but if there was an excact opposite of the creed then we are it ATM.

The game plan is, well what is it???

Our team structure is based on outside runners and a fleet of taggers. Who is gonna win the ball?
And when we get some harder type players in, they generally cop the blame for a loss while the gold pass players keep on keeping on.

A major overhaul is needed both on and off field IMO. To say we are "in the mix" is to deny the unnacountable, error ridden football we have played. And sadly the effort or lack thereof is obvious to all.


Thurstans - To layed back for me, needs a bit of intensity if he is to keep his spot
Cassisi- Can hold his head high. Puts in the effort required as our only real ball winner and captain.
Kane Cornes - Fantastic tagger and Dreamteam player. Skills, well ....average
Rodan - Good going forward, average when we havent got the ball.
P.Burgoyne - Thanx for BOG in GF 2004 (IMO). DCM.
Surjan - Hold your head high son. Lives the Creed.
Pettigrew - Has all the requirements of a gun backman, but hasnt used any of them to date.
Tredrea - Good year for him, working hard as always.
Chaplin - Some really good games, and some poor ones. Good to see him settle in key back roles.
Logan - Not the greatest player but always puts in.
Gray - Potential superstar, and is finally being given opportunity in the middle and has really impressed me in packs with his ability to get the ball and dish it out.
Salopek - Disappointing. Has the skills and courage to be a gun but has reached a platuea and cant seem to take the next step. At this stage is not much more than a courageous linkman.
Ebert - Number one gold pass holder. If we had another forward pocket he wouldnt be playing.
Lade - Your were a champion and thx but DCM.
Brogan - So vital to our club but has hit a slow patch recently.
Motlop - If you could get it to him eight times a game one on one hed kick six or seven goals. Has suffered from a disjointed game plan/entry into the forward 50
Pearce - Gold pass holder number 2, Increase workrate or get out of the way. People get tagged learn to deal with it.
Carr - DCM.
Justin Hoff - only 20ish, if he keeps learning hell be a ten year player.
Chad - Poor year for him so far, but prob needs some stability in his game rather than just covering every weakness we have.
S. Burgoyne - when fit will need to work harder and recieve some help from teamates to help shake the tag he always gets.
Boak - Same as Salopek, potential gun, but needs to take the next step. Is still young tho.
Crakhore - Looks good and i would give him Pearce's wing
Hartlett - Great kick, skills under pressure and has plenty of courage, id give him the running half back role that peter burgoyne and crackhore have been playing.

Coaching staff - Need to accept we are playing carp and not just say we're going alright, were in the mix because were playing shocking. Players arent playing with any spirit or enthusiasm. Might be time for a DCM.

[Rik E Boy]

That is a very accurate assessment for mine auto. I'm not sure about both of the Westhoff's though. I know they are raw but they don't appear to have the tools. Justin is in his third year now and his first season remains his best to date. I also don't think Cassisi cuts the mustard as skipper, but Choco knew that before the year had started.

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

I think the 2007 season has created an expectation that doesn't match their actual list. I think they are going as well as can be expected given the turnover in the list since 2005. Problem is the media hype them up before each season as top 4 material. Injuries to Boak, Chad and S Burgoyne don't help but the depth doesn't seem to be there. Their better players are getting close to age 30.

The other team that has fallen from grace since the 2007 season is North Melbourne. That was such a wide open season that a whole bunch of teams could have gone top 4 so maybe it wasn't a good indicator as to where both teams were really at?

I think they have a good run home so you never know. They'll probably still finish ahead of the Crows which will be some consolation to the Power supporters.

[catchisthecry]

Does K. Cornes concern anyone else??
Racks up 35+ touches and I don't even notice he's on the field!!
His possesions do not hurt opposition sides, know he tags well, but what of his career???

[JK]

P.Burgoyne - Thanx for BOG in GF 2004 (IMO). DCM.

I've said to mates for at least 18 months now (and Im sure Im not the only one) that Senior Burger needs(ed) to be traded or de-listed ... IMHO, he's epitomised everything that's wrong about Port for quite some time now.

Granted Im an outsider so I understand if Power fans wanna jump on me for that.

[Ruben Carter]

Does K. Cornes concern anyone else??
Racks up 35+ touches and I don't even notice he's on the field!!
His possesions do not hurt opposition sides, know he tags well, but what of his career???

Most over-rated player in the AFL. As you say gets plenty of it but NEVER hurts an opposition side due to lack of skill with disposal. I thought his game against the Bulldogs was very poor. You can have him at Norwood if you like...

[night raver]

Dont care what anyone says. They arnt playing as a TEAM, who cares bout individuals. If they cant get along off field, well on field aint going to go well is it?
Big shake up needed. Its really embarrassing. Seen betta footy out at div 7 than their inconsistent performances.

[Rik E Boy]

Does K. Cornes concern anyone else??
Racks up 35+ touches and I don't even notice he's on the field!!
His possesions do not hurt opposition sides, know he tags well, but what of his career???

A change in coach could reinvigorate his career. Surely a less talented player can fulfil Kornes' current role.

regards,

REB

[Swooper16]

Does K. Cornes concern anyone else??
Racks up 35+ touches and I don't even notice he's on the field!!
His possesions do not hurt opposition sides, know he tags well, but what of his career???

A change in coach could reinvigorate his career. Surely a less talented player can fulfil Kornes' current role.

regards,

REB

Not to the ability of Kornes tho REB. When playing as a mid without responsibility i agree he can rack up 35 touches but very few of any importance. However when given a tagging job, rarely (if ever) gets beaten. Just from recent memory he has stitched up Leon Davis & Hasleby when given the direct tagging job.

[silicone skyline]

I reckon Cornes is aware he is not the best user of the ball and generally gives it to somebody else to use it.

More than valuable player at Port and easily in their best midfield group.

[Q.]

I'd take K Cornes anyday over some of those other players who obviously show no heart.

[Footy Smart]

exactly Quichey... you have to get your hands on the footy first. I do however think Kane is a little bit negative and should probably back himself in more once he does get it..... look to go forward more as he tends to go backwards or sideways more often than not.

[Booney]

Good wrap up Auto.

On a few of them:

Salopek - Has not been 100% all year but we need any one close to fit out there. Expect the second half of the year to be better for him.
Boak - As you said, only young and will be a very good player.
Chad - See Salopek, not been fit and we miss him in a settled position,coaching staff to answer some questions on how they use him.


Pearce - Traid bait
P.Burgoyne - Gold watch


Lade - Must go on as we have no other big men.
Pettigrew - Needs a rocket and perhaps the odd stint in the middle to show him how hard he can actually work.


Ebert - Extended period in SANFL required
Chaplin - A week or two at Sturt to make him hungrier

Coaches - New blood required. I think Choco has lost this group, watch for him to go and have success elsewhere.

[silicone skyline]

If Robbie Gray can put on 10 kilo, he will be dangerous.

[JK]

Coaches - New blood required. I think Choco has lost this group, watch for him to go and have success elsewhere.

Choco strikes me as being at around the same mark as Leigh Matthews was at Collingwood ... After toying with it, eventually lead his charges to the Holy Grail coveted by their masses.

Maintained a talented but highly under-performing list thereafter ... Obviously after severing ties with the Pies, later moved to Brisbane and then wrote himself into the history books (would be a fair task to expect anything remotely near that for Choco, although I think a new environment could re-invigorate him)

[Rik E Boy]

Kornes copping an absolute bollocking on the Power board today. I reckon the daggers are being hurled at the wrong target.....

regards,

REB

[the joker]

there is talk that Daniel Stewart will be elevated off the rookie list for Daniel Motlop

[JK]

Question for Power fans ... When Chad comes back should Choco and co. consider putting him back to CHB and leaving him there? He's a proven player in that position, one which has so much effect on the game and how much added responsibility do the other players accept when they Chad is constantly used as a "Mr Fix It" to try and cover deficiencies?

I really wonder if they need to stop "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" and at least get some regularity going.

[acockfromwayback]

I posted my opinion on the Buckley coaching gig forum.

Port really need to do a massive clean up at the end of the year

Needs: C Cornes
K Cornes
Cassisi
Gray
Motlop(x factor)
S Burgoyne
Salopek(a healthy one)
Rodan
Surjan
Boak
Hartlett
Westhoff

Tag alongs(trade 50/50):
Pettigrew
Logan
Chaplin
Brogan
Pearce

trade(definately or sack)

Ebert
Thurston

Retire

Carr
P Burgoyne
Tredrea
Lade

anyone i have missed sorry, they don't stand out enough.