by valleys07 » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:00 am
Round 1 Review vs. Fremantle- Butchered!
PAFC 10.8.68
FFC 11.9.75
Goals- Wingard, Wines 2, Butcher, White, Boak, Neade, Ebert, Schulz 1.
Such is the level of anticipation and the intense build up to round 1, it’s feelings of separation between the winners and losers that are unrivalled throughout the remainder of the year for mine. In the grand scheme of things it’s merely four points, but one cannot under-estimate the feeling of an early season win to springboard a team into the upcoming season. It’s a funny old feeling sitting here 0-1, as we Port fans have been privy to special starts over the recent 2013-14 seasons.
For the neutral observer, tonight’s game was a ripping spectacle between 2 teams that are destined to be around the mark at the business end of the season. It was typical of Fremantle, just hard, contested football where Port Adelaide were just unable to get their free flowing game style in sync. Over the last 6 months since the Preliminary loss to Hawthorn, Ken Hinkley has spoken publically about winning the 10 or so moments that define games of football. Tonight sadly- we were again beaten in this area when it mattered. When the game was in the balance in the last, Sandilands monstered in ruck, Mundy was winning stoppage clearances, Fyfe turned on beast mode to verify his status as one of the games truly elite, and Pav was just there taking critical marks and kicking clutch goals when his team needed him most. Whilst our match winners in Boak, Gray, Wines, Wingard were all doing their upmost to get us over the line in the last, that clutch moment just didn’t come from these names- when it’s not your night, then….
When viewing the season holistically, we will be better for these crunch games- real finals like intensity. I do sit here a little concerned over a few names that have had interrupted pre-seasons, or have had unconvincing NAB campaigns. Premiership teams are built around players 15-22 as much as the critical components of a side, and it’s hard to mount a case in favour of Port players in that bracket tonight. Whilst I am doing my best to avoid jumping at shadows being round 1- White, Neade, Butcher will all fall heavily under the microscope in the week leading up to a critical round 2 clash at home against the Swans.
Things that went right:
• The games from some of our young guns tonight left me salivating at the thought of what they may be producing in another 2-3 years. 4 of my top 5 players tonight are under the age of 22- hopefully another stepping stone in seeing us cement ourselves as a long term challenger.
• Our defence. Given the volume of forward 50 entries that Fremantle generated (58-42), and the pace to which they were transitioning the football (33.3 disposals per goal compared to 39, and 18.3 disposals per scoring shot compared to 21.7), I thought our defence as a team battled manfully well. Hombsch was a star as that 3rd man up/intercept marker and Impey was magnificent again on Ballantyne. Pavlich was the only real forward that got away from us tonight- hardly a disgrace.
Things that went wrong:
• The Lobbe omission. Please don’t misread this, as our number 1 ruckman’s late withdrawal isn’t the reason we lost- but many a Port fan unable to control their trouser movement at the thought of the big #4 flying for catches inside our F50 were left disappointed before the first bounce, not to mention how we suffered on field. Ryder battled manfully but was monstered by Sandilands, and Butcher was left outclassed by a Fremantle defence well assisted by our mediocre transition going forward. Lobbe will be a massive in for next weeks clash make no mistake.
• The old adage of match fitness. Too many players for my liking went into this game with little or no match fitness, and we paid a costly price. I thought all our players missing for portions of the pre-season had their moments, however in the last quarter when the heat was on in the kitchen, I have to say we needed more from these names to get across the line. I’m happy to trust Hinkley’s judgement- we have bitten the bullet on occasions in the past with success, however tonight was not to be.
Player Reviews:
TOP 5:
Brad Ebert- A fantastic performance tonight from Ebert, his trademark gut running and aggressive link up typified his performance. 34 Possessions (27 uncontested- leading possession getter for the match), 14 marks, 7 tackles and 5 I50’s are some solid numbers, and the only focus area I see for him is Disposal Efficiency.
Oliver Wines- An absolute ****ing bull for us in the contested stakes, and his duel with Fyfe was compelling viewing! Finished with 27 touches (12 contested), 7 marks, 5 clearances, 6 tackles, 5 I50’s and 2 goals- compared with Fyfe who had 31 (15 contested), 4 marks, 4 clearances, 2 tackles, 7 I50’s and 1 goal. I was critical of Wines throughout the night in this duel (just ask Failed Creation haha!), but Wines gets the nod between the 2, another feather in the cap for this outstanding 50 gamer. Has there been a better 50 games since Judd? Unlikely.
Jared Polec- Simply exploded tonight, and his strength in the contest and ability to release the footy was just outstanding. Seemed to be the only Port player able to find the footy and work his way into space, his delivery an absolute joy to watch. 29 touches and 5 R50’s @ 82%- quite possibly the best game of football I have seen Jared play at AFL level. If that’s a sign of things to come this season, he will reach A grade status by seasons end.
Jarman Impey- I had Tom Jonas just about best on at half time, but at completion this lad worked his way into my 5. For the 2nd time in 12 months he completely blanketed Ballantyne’s influence on the contest, Ballantyne restricted to 10 touches and 2 goals (1 late courtesy of the Pittard blunder), whilst helping himself to 15 touches and 4 tackles. He made numerous dashing runs down the ground in an effort to add offensive prowess to his repetoire- just needs more confidence on his runs, often fumbling the bounce halting momentum.
Jack Hombsch- Simply brilliant in the first 3 quarters, as the 3rd up intercept. Carlisle being subbed was the game changer, with Pav having a dynamite last quarter on Hombsch- hardly a disgrace given the gap in experience. Finished with 18 touches, 4 marks, 6 R50’s and four 1% acts. Hopefully gets first crack at Buddy next Saturday night.
The Rest:
Robbie Gray- Plenty of the footy (31 touches, 9 clearances, 8 tackles), seemingly the only player capable of reading Sandilands’ taps. I really enjoyed his game tonight- he would be in many people’s top 5.
Travis Boak- Something was missing tonight from Trav and I can’t quite pinpoint it. Solid numbers (25 touches, 10 marks, 5 tackles), his endeavour as normal, unquestionable. Kicked a ripping goal late in the last- however probably lacked his usual impact on the stoppages, and delivery inside 50 perhaps a little untidy due to the pressure applied.
Jackson Trengove- Back to marshalling our back 6 as if he had never left, and thought it was a solid performance playing primarily on Zac Clarke. 21 disposals, 7 marks and seven 1% acts. A typical performance we have come to expect from Jacko. Will only get better.
Chad Wingard- From the players to have missed parts of the pre-season, I thought he was probably the best of the lot. Seemed to run through the midfield a bit and finished with 20 disposals, 8 marks, 5 I50’s and 2 goals. Seems to pop up out of a sprinkler when we are transitioning the footy from defence to attack, and I hope and pray we see more midfield minutes from him, as he is a truly exquisite user of the footy.
Hamish Hartlett- A fairly run-of-the-mill game from Hamish, seemingly in and out of the contest for most of the evening. 19 touches isn’t great reading, but the most disappointing stat for mine was the 1 I50- with such a lethal right boot, we need him on the end of offensive transition to give our forwards the best chance. Another who will benefit from the run.
Kane Cornes- Nullified Stephen Hill tonight, and finished with 19 possessions. Another workmanlike performance, which is typical of Kane.
Tom Jonas- As aforementioned, I had him just about BOG for us at the half, but faded out of the contest a bit as it wore on. Primarily matched up against Walters and smashed him, restricting him to 9 touches whilst collecting 18 himself. Cracking game.
Matthew Broadbent- 18 touches, 7 marks and 4 I50’s on paper, I thought his offensive game was quite good. He along with Hartlett are needed when transitioning the footy, capable of kicking over the lines. Solid performance.
Justin Westhoff- Normally starts the season like a house on fire but he got belted tonight by Ibbotson. Offered us nothing along with Schulz and Butcher and definitely one who will benefit with Ryder up forward, finishing with just 15 touches.
Matt White- Concerned for his spot in the side, as he has hardly got out of first gear all year. 14 touches and a goal looks ok on paper- but his buzz around the contest and aggressive running seems to have disappeared from his game. Need a big lift from him.
Jasper Pittard- Thought his performance defensively tonight was solid, but most will remember his blunder, gifting Ballantyne the goal and Fremantle the win. Take the good with the bad when talking Pittard’s game, but he seems more astute with his decision making (despite the obvious mistake).
Patrick Ryder- Belted in hitouts (46 to 20) but did some good things around the ground. 12 touches and 5 marks, Paddy is another who will benefit from the run tonight. Craving to see him in action up forward, as that is the primary aspect for his recruitment.
Jake Neade- Lucky to be in the side for mine this week, and just unable to compete at this level when not given any time and space. I talk about taking chances, and his out on the full from 25m out in the 2nd quarter almost had me calling the RAA claims department for accidental damage to my TV. Monfries will start in the 18 next week and Neade will be lucky to hold his spot, as 12 touches and a goal just isn’t offering us enough. 4 tackles a highlight of his game.
Jay Schulz- McPharlin couldn’t have given him a bigger belting. He spent the majority of the evening around half back chasing kicks. Enough said.
Alipate Carlisle- Cramp or injury- not sure but he was subbed off at the start of the last quarter. Much like NAB 3, trailed Pav for most of the evening, finishing with just 9 touches.
John Butcher- A late call up and will be out of the side quicker than he was put in if Lobbe is fit and firing. Wasn’t assisted at all by the sluggish delivery- Spurr absolutely lapping up the intercept marks. A nice goal in the 1st quarter but just 1 kick and 2 handballs after quarter time, finishing with 7 disposals.
Angus Monfries- Not a substitutes arsehole, and failed to have any impact on the game. Needs to start in the 22 or play in the SANFL.
Can’t wait to see us back at the Portress this Saturday night to take on the Swans. The AFL have given us some quality fixtures on the back of a couple of strong seasons and we need to make the most of these by getting 50,000 to the game. I watched the Sydney game on Saturday, noting whilst their comeback win was an outstanding effort, it will be interesting to see their response if placed under similar levels of pressure knowing that we are a fitter side than Essendon. I have my hopes pinned on Kenny priming the boys for this one, with the dangers of 0-2 in this comp hopefully a kick-starter to ignite the season. Crunching the numbers, it seems that no side who has made the grand final since 2008 has lost more than 6 games for the season, so the term “must win game” is literal in the big picture. Until next week- carn the pear!
Valleys.
“Think of me like Yoda, but instead of being little and green I wear suits and I'm awesome. I'm your bro—I'm Broda!”
HOGG Shield 2015 Division I Premiers.
HOGG Shield 2017 Premier League Premiers.