Port Adelaide 2023

[mots02]

Boon - Met your quota of one review per week somewhere else this week?!

[Booney]

I watched the game. It wasn't worth reviewing!

[mots02]

I watched the game. It wasn't worth reviewing!

Since when has that stopped you?!

[mighty_tiger_79]

I watched the game. It wasn't worth reviewing!

Bollocks.

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[mighty_tiger_79]

What a shame there won't be a review of this either[emoji22]

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[Booney]

What a shame there won't be a review of this either[emoji22]

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Might do one.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Some credit where it’s due, Ken Hinkley has definitely changed since the showdown loss and so has Port Adelaide’s output and therefore results. He’s gone away from sitting upstairs, guzzling Pepsi max/coke no sugar and the cliches. He’s on the bench, showing emotion, has a crack at journalists when they are out of line and definitely brings some urgency to the bench. Ports consistency and urgency has definitely improved - **** me dead if this happened 3-4 years back then who knows what could have happened in that time…..

[locky801]

Some credit where it’s due, Ken Hinkley has definitely changed since the showdown loss and so has Port Adelaide’s output and therefore results. He’s gone away from sitting upstairs, guzzling Pepsi max/coke no sugar and the cliches. He’s on the bench, showing emotion, has a crack at journalists when they are out of line and definitely brings some urgency to the bench. Ports consistency and urgency has definitely improved - **** me dead if this happened 3-4 years back then who knows what could have happened in that time…..

Koch already drawing up the new 5 year contract

[valleys07]

Some credit where it’s due, Ken Hinkley has definitely changed since the showdown loss and so has Port Adelaide’s output and therefore results. He’s gone away from sitting upstairs, guzzling Pepsi max/coke no sugar and the cliches. He’s on the bench, showing emotion, has a crack at journalists when they are out of line and definitely brings some urgency to the bench. Ports consistency and urgency has definitely improved - **** me dead if this happened 3-4 years back then who knows what could have happened in that time…..

TBH, I don't think Port's change in output is Ken's handy work at all. Tredrea's comments, post showdown, certainly put some heat on the club, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the media actually questioned Ken's tenure instead of cupping his balls.

Ken's legacy is that of a wonderful man manager, not a masterful tactician. The players love him, that much is evident. Not just within the PAFC, but he was clearly adored by those he coached at Geelong/Gold Coast. After Tredders' bake, I really do believe they have Ken "coaching" from the boundary, but the tactical stuff coming from the box- IMO headed by Josh Carr. After all - 10 years has left Ken looking like a stunned mullet in the box whenever the oppo gets a jump or a string of momentum. I'm not going to start believing he is a changed man, now.

[saintal]

Watching from afar I'd say Valleys has nailed the situation with the post above. Whatever the arrangement, it appears to be working currently.

[Booney]

Some credit where it’s due, Ken Hinkley has definitely changed since the showdown loss and so has Port Adelaide’s output and therefore results. He’s gone away from sitting upstairs, guzzling Pepsi max/coke no sugar and the cliches. He’s on the bench, showing emotion, has a crack at journalists when they are out of line and definitely brings some urgency to the bench. Ports consistency and urgency has definitely improved - **** me dead if this happened 3-4 years back then who knows what could have happened in that time…..

TBH, I don't think Port's change in output is Ken's handy work at all. Tredrea's comments, post showdown, certainly put some heat on the club, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the media actually questioned Ken's tenure instead of cupping his balls.

Ken's legacy is that of a wonderful man manager, not a masterful tactician. The players love him, that much is evident. Not just within the PAFC, but he was clearly adored by those he coached at Geelong/Gold Coast. After Tredders' bake, I really do believe they have Ken "coaching" from the boundary, but the tactical stuff coming from the box- IMO headed by Josh Carr. After all - 10 years has left Ken looking like a stunned mullet in the box whenever the oppo gets a jump or a string of momentum. I'm not going to start believing he is a changed man, now.

Stole some thunder....review to come.

[The Bedge]

I really do believe they have Ken "coaching" from the boundary, but the tactical stuff coming from the box- IMO headed by Josh Carr.

This was my thought also the other week - and grooming Carr for the top job by giving him added responsibility game day.

Ken can continue to give feedback and manage the players from the bench, and they get the best of both worlds then.

[Booney]

They say playing under Friday night lights is the big stage and Port shone under our roof as the ownership of St Kilda continued, 12 of the last 13 encounters going Port’s way after a thrilling 7 point win on Friday night and that’s 8 wins in a row at Marvel for Port.

St Kilda certainly started the better, their system was playing out as they liked with Marshall winning the ball in all areas dictating terms to the St Kilda runners, Sinclair, Steele, Clarke, all rebounding and attacking. At the other end Port looked stifled in attack, the two goals to Duursma and Boak were both hurried shots and more by accident than design. At the other end St Kilda were kick / mark and their high possession game was in full swing, 46 more touches ( 35 of them uncontested ), 15 more marks and going at 75% disposal efficiency, Port were not following the plan they’d put in place during that first term, things changed in the second. If not for Horne-Francis in the first term there wouldn’t have been a Port player in the top 5 on the ground, he was as powerful as he was brilliant in and around the contest and try as they might the St Kilda midfield couldn’t stop him in close.

The move of Hinkley down to the bench has seen Josh Carr assume more of the role of chess master, moving the pieces from above while Hinkley motivates from ground level ( think McRae and Leppitsch at Collingwood ) and the first break gave both the chance to go to work. Boak was moved into the middle, Wines went out to an uncustomary spot on the wing and the back half was given a talking too about positioning and intensity. Both quickly improved.

21 tackles for the quarter was the catalyst for the 4 goal to none term ( St Kilda’s 1st goalless qtr of 2023 ) despite losing inside 50’s 16-10 ( Port scored 4.5 from 10 entries ) and it was all about the pressure. McEntee and Powell-Pepper lifted forward of the ball, Bergman and Houston in the back half and the manic pressure of Butters in the middle had St Kilda on the hop. They couldn’t win it and when they did they couldn’t get deep entries into the forward line.

On the back of that term Port started the second half with 5 inside 50’s to 1, problem was Port didn’t score from these entries while the Saints had 1 major from 1 entry, the impressive Owens. Mid way through the term Port had had 65% of the play at our end but couldn’t capitalise, Powell-Pepper goaled but quick replies from Wood and Butler had the Saints back in front. Enter Dixon. Clearly hobbled by a knee concern Dixon struggled to move around the ground but his ability to hold strong in the contest saw him palm one into Rioli’s breadbasket and he gobbled it up. Brian Taylor mentioned it “Almost looked deliberate”. It was 100% deliberate you rabbit. Onto the outer wing and another dish off too Junior sliding by saw a forward 50 entry, some scrambling resulted until Junior mopped it up, sold Howard a pup and Juniors second stunner in 10 minutes had Port up, just, going into the last.

The Saints have been lauded for their running capacity in 2023 and that looked to be unfolding early in the last as Steele and Gresham kicked the first two of the term to regain the lead, 5-0 I50’s and 4-1 in clearances and the St’s fans were up. Some Dixon ruck work led to a Finlayson snap and goal, some Dixon pressure resulted in a Powell-Pepper goal and this was going to the wire. When Hunter Clarke strolled through the midfield to goal from long range it was anyones game. Step up JHF. After winning a clearance and handing the ball off at half back he made position on the wing and took an uncontested mark, his scintillating kick into the midfield hit Houston on the button and when he launched from inside the centre square to Dixon and Howard 1-on-1 the big man stood tall, marking and kicking truly to put Port 8 points in front with under 5 to play. With only 11 goals for the night 2 in 5 minutes looked a bridge too far for the Saints and so it was. Port saluting by 7.

Boons best – Horne-Francis, Boak, Houston, Butters, Bergman, Powell-Pepper with apologies to Dixon, Williams and Finlayson.

[valleys07]

Good summary, Boon.

Williams for SPP my only change. 17 disposals at 94%, he was the architect behind a lot of I50 opportunities for Port. Self proclaimed smart footballer over athlete (who would have thought) - we look a completely different side when we are spotting up targets out of defence, rather than the customary bomb and clear that we have become accustomed to for at least 7 seasons now.

[MW]

Seemingly more likely Mitch is leaving at year end from both camps.
What settles the trade? WCE 2nd rd pick which would most likely be close to 20?
Not sure Port have much bargaining power when he was dropped and not performing at SANFL level before the knee.

[Booney]

Seemingly more likely Mitch is leaving at year end from both camps.
What settles the trade? WCE 2nd rd pick which would most likely be close to 20?
Not sure Port have much bargaining power when he was dropped and not performing at SANFL level before the knee.

Right now they have 1,19 and 32 ( which is ours tied to them ) 37, 50 ( again ours, tied to them ) and 55.

19 feels unders, 19 and 32 overs, so probably 19 and a 50 or 55.

[Armchair expert]

Seemingly more likely Mitch is leaving at year end from both camps.
What settles the trade? WCE 2nd rd pick which would most likely be close to 20?
Not sure Port have much bargaining power when he was dropped and not performing at SANFL level before the knee.

They will get one of the first round picks WC get from Melbourne for Harley Reid (pick 1)

[MW]

Seemingly more likely Mitch is leaving at year end from both camps.
What settles the trade? WCE 2nd rd pick which would most likely be close to 20?
Not sure Port have much bargaining power when he was dropped and not performing at SANFL level before the knee.

Right now they have 1,19 and 32 ( which is ours tied to them ) 37, 50 ( again ours, tied to them ) and 55.

19 feels unders, 19 and 32 overs, so probably 19 and a 50 or 55.

Does it though? For a guy playing avg SANFL coming off a knee? I would have thought 19 is spot on.

[helicopterking]

Seemingly more likely Mitch is leaving at year end from both camps.
What settles the trade? WCE 2nd rd pick which would most likely be close to 20?
Not sure Port have much bargaining power when he was dropped and not performing at SANFL level before the knee.

The way Freo forward line functions, They will most likely go for him.

[Booney]

Seemingly more likely Mitch is leaving at year end from both camps.
What settles the trade? WCE 2nd rd pick which would most likely be close to 20?
Not sure Port have much bargaining power when he was dropped and not performing at SANFL level before the knee.

Right now they have 1,19 and 32 ( which is ours tied to them ) 37, 50 ( again ours, tied to them ) and 55.

19 feels unders, 19 and 32 overs, so probably 19 and a 50 or 55.

Does it though? For a guy playing avg SANFL coming off a knee? I would have thought 19 is spot on.

It does, given the factors involved in him playing SANFL. He's behind Dixon, Marshall and Finlayson, not exactly easy to bump one of them aside the way they've been playing and the roles they play.