R7: North v Port review

[Macca19]

North Adelaide have ended Port Adelaide's unbeaten start to the season, coming away with an inspirational 24 point victory at Prospect today.

In what has been billed as a 'clash of the titans' matchup since the start of the season, the Roosters trailed by 16 points at 3/4 time, before storming home with a 7 goal to 1 last quarter to give the Roosters one of their best wins in years.

Both clubs were missing many key players, with the Roosters missing the likes of Nick Gill, Steven Koops, Darryl Wintle, Brett White, Daniel Hargraves, Clint Alleway and Kingsley Walker, whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen and had three of their best players from last week called to AFL action.

The first three quarters were tight but free flowing football. Neither side could get a decent break but it was the Magpies who led for much of that period. North Adelaide kicked the first two goals of the match but Port Adelaide responded by kicking 4 of the next 5 goals to lead by 8 points at the first change.

Clive Waterhouse and Dean Howard swapped goals for the first half of the second quarter, kicking two each before Port found a quick break thanks to Troy Butcher and Jared Poulton. North Adelaide pegged the gap back immediately with two quick goals of their own. The Magpies led by 9 points at the main change.

John Baird was having a day out at Centre Half Back, marking anything that came his way, whilst Ivan Maric, Shayne Biacsi and Clive Waterhouse were also good for the Magpies. Dean Howard was played up forward in the second quarter and was getting away from his opponent. He, along with Shaun Gatto, Chris Ladhams and Scott Bamford were keeping North Adelaide in the contest.

After Port kicked away to a four goal lead midway through the third quarter, a noticeable momentum swing took place and North Adelaide started to work back into the contest. The Magpies tried 4 times to clear the ball out of North Adelaides forward line with no luck, and Chris Ladhams goaled right on the 3/4 time siren to take the lead back to 16 points. North Adelaide had their inspiration.

The Roosters came out firing in the last quarter, choking Ports midfield whilst also completely shutting down their forward line. Shane Morrison couldnt get away from Shane Schubert, whilst first gamer Andrew Mcintyre completely blanketed the enigmatic Clive Waterhouse. Two goals in the opening minutes got them to within a kick, but Roc Harry stole the football and ran into an open goal to get the margin back out to 10 points.

From that point on it was all North Adelaide. The Roosters sensed the Magpies were in trouble and they were relentless in their attack and forward running with the ball. They found loose men running forward of the play with ease, with Chris Ladhams, Owen Weatherley and debutant Todd Pfieffer kicking goals. The Magpies barely had a chance to get back into the contest and North ran away with one of their best wins in some time.

Norths midfielders ran riot in the last half with the likes of Scott Bamford and Chris Ladhams strong along the wings. Luke Ivens was solid across half back whilst Owen Weatherley and Simon Cox provided strong targets up forward.

Port will be in search of some new tactics after their midfield and forward line completely shut down when it mattered most. As much as the loss of Scott Stevens, Jacob Surjan and Adam Kingsley threw out team balance, they cannot rely on AFL players to be there each week. Shane Morrison and Clive Waterhouse were dissapointing up forward in the last quarter, whilst Brett Ebert was unsighted for almost the whole last half. Jeremy Clayton was also well held and didnt have the same influence he usually has.

Marc Bullen and John Baird were best for the losers, with Bullen racking up disposals at will from half back to half forward, whilst John Baird was massive in the first three quarters.

[Wedgie]

whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen

Hang on, if Port were "missing" Gavin Wanganeen weren't North also missing Ben Hart, Ben Hudson, Ian Perrie, Damon White and Nathan Lonie??

And if the logic of playing a couple of games means more than surely Josh Francou should come into it too?

Crikey!!!

PS I thought Baird was awesome, it was interesting talking to a Port player during the game who said J Clayton was the best player he'd seen at SANFL level ever only to see Matthew Krieg get Best for North who was on him today, top job Kriegy!

PPS I honestly think when Water Closet missed a sitter from 25m out was when Port lost the game today, god bless him.

[rod_rooster]

Great write up Macca. Agreed Bullen was excellent for Port. Brett Ebert had a fair bit of the ball (especially in the first half) but he didn't do a lot with it.

[rod_rooster]

whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen

Hang on, if Port were "missing" Gavin Wanganeen weren't North also missing Ben Hart, Ben Hudson, Ian Perrie, Damon White and Nathan Lonie??

And if the logic of playing a couple of games means more than surely Josh Francou should come into it too?

Crikey!!!

PS I thought Baird was awesome, it was interesting talking to a Port player during the game who said J Clayton was the best player he'd seen at SANFL level ever only to see Matthew Krieg get Best for North who was on him today, top job Kriegy!

PPS I honestly think when Water Closet missed a sitter from 25m out was when Port lost the game today, god bless him.

Agreed Wedgie. Waterhouse could have just about iced the game with that kick. He missed and the rest is history

[Wedgie]

PS Great write up as per usual Macca, you're a legend!

[RM]

Great write up Macca. Agreed Bullen was excellent for Port. Brett Ebert had a fair bit of the ball (especially in the first half) but he didn't do a lot with it.

[drebin]

Good write up macca and very balanced - but let's leave AFL listed players out of the missing list!

[Aerie]

After Port kicked away to a four goal lead midway through the third quarter, a noticeable momentum swing took place and North Adelaide started to work back into the contest. The Magpies tried 4 times to clear the ball out of North Adelaides forward line with no luck, and Chris Ladhams goaled right on the 3/4 time siren to take the lead back to 16 points. North Adelaide had their inspiration.

Sounds exactly like last weeks game at Thebby, except Port were on the opposite end this time.

[RustyCage]

whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen

Hang on, if Port were "missing" Gavin Wanganeen weren't North also missing Ben Hart, Ben Hudson, Ian Perrie, Damon White and Nathan Lonie??

Er, no Wedgie, because if Wangas wasn't injured he would have been playing today. And yeah, you can claim Francou because if he wasn't injured he would have been playing for North today as well. Pretty simple logic.

[-]

whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen

Hang on, if Port were "missing" Gavin Wanganeen weren't North also missing Ben Hart, Ben Hudson, Ian Perrie, Damon White and Nathan Lonie??

And if the logic of playing a couple of games means more than surely Josh Francou should come into it too?

Crikey!!!

PS I thought Baird was awesome, it was interesting talking to a Port player during the game who said J Clayton was the best player he'd seen at SANFL level ever only to see Matthew Krieg get Best for North who was on him today, top job Kriegy!

PPS I honestly think when Water Closet missed a sitter from 25m out was when Port lost the game today, god bless him.

Wedgie, U and I both know now Wangas will qualify for Port. So yes he does count.

[Adelaide Hawk]

If I didn't already know, I'd swear the North Adelaide Ebert was the one playing AFL football. I was very disappointed in Brett Ebert's game, his disposal was ordinary and his work rate was below what you would expect from an AFL midfielder. There's almost no comparison between the 2006 Ebert and the lad who won the Magarey Medal. I think he may need a few more runs for the Magpies before returning to the Power.

It will be interesting to see how Todd Pfeiffer progresses from here. Impressive debut.

[mick]

Williams never gives his young players a chance, prefers to stick with his gold carded hasbeens. It would be great to see a player with Brett's heritage and potential playing under a decent coach

[rod_rooster]

If I didn't already know, I'd swear the North Adelaide Ebert was the one playing AFL football. I was very disappointed in Brett Ebert's game, his disposal was ordinary and his work rate was below what you would expect from an AFL midfielder. There's almost no comparison between the 2006 Ebert and the lad who won the Magarey Medal. I think he may need a few more runs for the Magpies before returning to the Power.

It will be interesting to see how Todd Pfeiffer progresses from here. Impressive debut.

The "head on legs" had a lot of it early but didn't really do a lot with it. Seemed to be playing more for himself than the team. Might be a while before he can get back into the Power side although the way they are going................................

[Adelaide Hawk]

PS I thought Baird was awesome, it was interesting talking to a Port player during the game who said J Clayton was the best player he'd seen at SANFL level ever

I take it this player hasn't seen much SANFL footy?

[Macca19]

whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen

Hang on, if Port were "missing" Gavin Wanganeen weren't North also missing Ben Hart, Ben Hudson, Ian Perrie, Damon White and Nathan Lonie??

And if the logic of playing a couple of games means more than surely Josh Francou should come into it too?

Crikey!!!

PS I thought Baird was awesome, it was interesting talking to a Port player during the game who said J Clayton was the best player he'd seen at SANFL level ever only to see Matthew Krieg get Best for North who was on him today, top job Kriegy!

PPS I honestly think when Water Closet missed a sitter from 25m out was when Port lost the game today, god bless him.

Forgot about Josh Francou. Considering both of them will most likely spend the majority of the season in the SANFL, then yes they should be counted. Some of the other players you mentioned havent played at Prospect for years. Those two played very recently.

Waterhouse was the true enigma today. Burned it up in the first half and stuffed a number of chances in the second half - dropped marks, fumbles, poor passes and that missed shot on goal.

[Macca19]

The J Clayton call isnt too silly. Was probably the least effective game hes played today and he still had a big influence at times. Threw his body in and got clobbered a couple of times. At his best he is probably the most unstoppable midfielder ive seen at SANFL level. Best player ive seen...not yet. If he stays another couple of years then he could end up being just that.

His ability to contort his body when hes about to be tackled is amazing. Very very rarely gets tackled, and when he does, 99/100 he gets his arms free and dishes off a great handball.

Baird was great today, but was beaten in the last quarter.

Pfeiffer looked to have a lot of class, but is very skinny. I think I read he will probably be in the State U/18s this year. I was very impressed with Mcintyre in the last half. Is very quick for a 190cm.

One thing I noticed about North yesterday was the amount of big bodies around the ball. They look and play a very similar style to the Crows in my opinion. Guys like Krieg, Ivens, Weatherley, Cox, Ebert, Howard, Schubert, Younie have big bodies across the park. Weatherley is a good impression of the incredible hulk.

[drebin]

The J Clayton call isnt too silly. Was probably the least effective game hes played today and he still had a big influence at times. Threw his body in and got clobbered a couple of times. At his best he is probably the most unstoppable midfielder ive seen at SANFL level. Best player ive seen...not yet. If he stays another couple of years then he could end up being just that.

His ability to contort his body when hes about to be tackled is amazing. Very very rarely gets tackled, and when he does, 99/100 he gets his arms free and dishes off a great handball.

Baird was great today, but was beaten in the last quarter.

Pfeiffer looked to have a lot of class, but is very skinny. I think I read he will probably be in the State U/18s this year. I was very impressed with Mcintyre in the last half. Is very quick for a 190cm.

One thing I noticed about North yesterday was the amount of big bodies around the ball. They look and play a very similar style to the Crows in my opinion. Guys like Krieg, Ivens, Weatherley, Cox, Ebert, Howard, Schubert, Younie have big bodies across the park. Weatherley is a good impression of the incredible hulk.

And we still have a bloke who is 2 inches taller than Weatherly and nearly as wide to come back at CHF and then throw in the other big blokes in Gill, Hargraves, Koops and Coulter no shortage of height and strength at Prospect.

[Adelaide Hawk]

The J Clayton call isnt too silly. Was probably the least effective game hes played today and he still had a big influence at times. Threw his body in and got clobbered a couple of times. At his best he is probably the most unstoppable midfielder ive seen at SANFL level. Best player ive seen...not yet. If he stays another couple of years then he could end up being just that.

Out of curiosity Macca, how long have you been watching SANFL footy? I'm not trying to be argumentative here, I'm just trying to find some logic in that statement when we are talking about a player who couldn't make the grade in the AFL.

[RoostersRuleTheWorld !]

Great Cocks !

[Wedgie]

Wedgie, U and I both know now Wangas will qualify for Port. So yes he does count.

Don't we both know Francou will qualify for North hence my point?

Earth to planet Mars, Earth to planet Mars, can you read me martians??