NO-MERCY wrote:Port back in the 80s & 90s compared to todays Port-played more of a kick long at all costs, never over handball, outnumbered the opposition at the contests front & square & intimidate the opposition ( in their face ).
The midfielders i believe were more accountable than todays, today they play more off each other.
Port were very good in defence, they rebounded aggressively, their ability to switch play with pin point accuracy & run in numbers & break lines, which gave the fwds quick use & a chance by puting the ball to space & in front, not like todays hospital balls or delivery wide deep in pockets on the boundary.
The defence of today can't switch play effectively, time & time again they turn the ball over, even under no pressure.
I don't see lines of 3-4 Port players trying to break the lines with pace & possession footy, they havn't got the confidence or belief to do it, they don't work hard enough to help out other defenders with the 1%ers of the game ( tackle, sheppherd, chasing etc ).
The fwds can't kick goals when they get the ball ( don't like to be caught in pressure situations ), theirs only one main target in Hargraves & he's not blessed with pace & is getting on in age, although he can hold his head up coz he's been having a crack but you'd get alot of the ball to if it was given to you at all costs, indirectly alot of the times & out of position ( wide to the pockets ).
Fwds don't work hard enough to hold the ball inside 50, they should be more aggressive & get in the face of their opponent, not letting them run off & create. just doesn't seem to be any structure up fwd.
Centrals on the other hand are alot quicker, which is where the game has changed in recent years, they are also cleaner by a long shot with the use of the footy, they seem to have better structure coming out of defence & hit there better structured options up fwd, they have smalls ( midfielders ) that not only work hard offensively ( kicking goals ) but defensively helping out the there defenders.
When they lose a couple of centre clearances in a row, they'll man up & back themselves in a 50\50 contest, ACCOUNTABILITY something Port players don't know the meaning of.
One thing Centrals maintain is their aggressive approach at every contest & intimidation ( Gowans ) in your face all day.
So yes Tassie both games are similar & the clubs fundementals to a degree, the pace & possession ( handball ) has increased enormously in our game today & Centrals use the ball far better than most clubs, especially Port.
NO MERCY
That is a perfect summation