Have the Magpies got some hard years ahead of them??

[am Bays]

This is a serious post not a Port Adelaide bashing post, but 2006 for the Magpies equates to 2000 for the Bays with repect to years after the Crows were born, and in Ports case after the power came into being. 2000 was the year that thngs really started to go brown for us and we are now only just starting to show signs of coming off life support!!!

The question I pose and am interested in Magpies supporters views, Are the Magpies looking at several hard years ahead of them (no finals) like the Bays have in recent years? N.B I'm suggetsting not making the finals not spoons like us 2000-2002

In no way am I suggesting that they have been as bad as us since the Power were born as they have won two flags played more finals series in the last 10 years compared to only 1 GF and three losing finals series for us. However I will argue that with 18 months to plan for the Powers entry compared to 2 months for us with the Crows. As well as the fact Port got a sh!t load more $$$ than us as the bulk of the initial Power squad came from the Magpies compared to only 8 players from the Bays for the Crows, the Magpies were in a better position to succeed than we were. Not that it excuses our piss poor performances and hats off to the Magpies for what they have done in the last 10 years. I have never liked them but I have sure as hell respected them given their years of success.

However is the effect of the loss of coaching staff, administrative nous, medicals staff, fitness staff, and sponsors to the Power starting to come home to roost?? Some of the new younger Port supporters like the profile of the Power and follow them, the Magpies are just another SANFL team, so the natural connection between the new power supporters doesn't potentially translate into Magpies supportes and members. HAving said that I notice the Magpies have the highest membership numbers of any SANFL club.

Word from the crowd at Glenelg is that Timmy is struggling with the playing group and may not be around in 2007. This would make five coaches in six years (getting as bad as us potentially).

So seriously are the Magpies looking at some lean years ahead?

[mal]

After 6 rounds with a full list they were top TASSIE.
They are struggling with a lack of availabilty and
injuries to some good players at the minute.
They have bought into a ggod list, but are a bit stiff
with injuries etc.
The information I recieved is that Waterhouse and J. Clayton
are having issues with Ginever.
Hard years ?
They were the best team in the 1900's where they had a
great junior development scheme.
The 2000's is a different stratergy, gone are junior development
ideologies as the AFL poaches the best juniors, times are
different and the cheque book is the most apparent constituent.
They have tried in 2005/2006 to buy success and barring bad
luck were on track to be a force.

The blueprint for this century will be good coaches and good finance officers.

TASSIE as for lean years, no as they will bounce back.

[therisingblues]

An interesting point of view Tassie. Sort of along the lines of what you are saying about the impact of an AFL license on an individual SANFL club, I have held the view that Port just aren't the same bunch since the Power were invented. Sure they have still put a couple of cups in the cabinet but they have dropped off like I have never seen them do before since then. In 1983 a different Port Adelaide took the field for a season and they missed the finals for the first time since I couldn't remember, but the situation was rectified straight away the next year. The club just didn't allow that stuff to continue back then, like it seems to be going on now. Port are currently enduring their worst peice of history apart from the years when Sturt, North, Norwood and Glenelg were playing pass the cup ('66-76). It looks as though they again tried to wave the magic wand down at Alberton last year to put things right, but it sort of worked last year and now this year they have put in some shockers, and the rumours about the playing group remind me of what we hear from Noarlunga year in year out. Port just don't seem to be the same bunch anymore, I agree that they will have some lean years ahead.

[Magpiespower]

Always find it odd how most people - including Port supporters - refer to the years between 1966-1976.

Admittedly, we weren't able to win a premiership but the way people talk, you'd think we were cellar dwellers and not perrenial finalists and five time grand finalists in that period.

No doubt this is the leanest period we've experienced - one finals campaign in the last four years.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Always find it odd how most people - including Port supporters - refer to the years between 1966-1976.

Admittedly, we weren't able to win a premiership but the way people talk, you'd think we were cellar dwellers and not perrenial finalists and five time grand finalists in that period.

No doubt this is the leanest period we've experienced - one finals campaign in the last four years.

Yeah, I remember a Port supporter on the radio claiming he had supported the Magpies through the "tough times" ... 1966 to 1976!!!! Tough times? In this period they played in 6 Grand Finals and missed the finals only once. This made me realise that a number of Port fans out there wouldn't have a clue what tough times really are, and it would be satisfying to see them experience it, as other clubs' supporters have had to do.

[Coorong]

Strong clubs like Port dont allow "hard times" They identify the problems early and put the mechanics in place to address it. A strong club, a strong board and CEO, always have been and nothing in the future will change.

The mentality and strength of if your not up to it, goodbye! is something most other clubs can only admire (in silence of course)

Why do all other supporters hate them, the above and a history of success, thats why.

[Booney]

A few good points there Tassie.When the Port made it's entry to the AFL the Magpies with out a doubt suffered at the loss of Brian Cunningham,David Hutton,John Cahill,Mark Williams.....the list goes on.Now that the Magpies have endured a couple of lean years,and with the return of Jack to the helm last year,some of the past players and officials have made there way back to the club,giving it a similar feel and make up to the halcion days of the late 80's early 90's.Now,the officials and coaching staff from back then are 20 years older,their ideas and formulas for success may not work in the modern day football world,thus leaving us behind,only in a physcological sense,perhaps we are trapped in the glory of our past?

One thing you made mention of is the 'Pies have the most members paid up this year.I see this,and from my experiences with mates,is from the past few lean years of no finals action (bar 2005),most fans who took their $ and placed it into the Power may or may not have had some guilt attached to no longer being a financial or passionate Magpies fan.Now,I am the first to argue that if Magpie fans now follow the Power only,that is their choice,to think the Power has no direct relationship to the Magpies however is naive at best.

So,with Jack's return last year,the Power sliding the wrong way on the AFL ladder,it could only be expected that these people once again spent time following the Magpies.Perhaps this is an indication of the fans attitude towards the AFL in general and/or the style of game the Power is currently playing.(It at the moment is tearing me apart,having enjoyed 2003/4 as much as I did).

To answer your question Tassie,no,I dont think Port are in for years of struggling to be a success,unlike your good fellows down the Bay,the party boys at Richmond or the money wasters at Noarlunga,Port will bnot accept any thing less.Many,(including my good mate REB) will argue the Power has not got the Magpie spirit they claim to have,that I feel is because the Magpies still own it,the people down there own it,and this will,in a competition more even than ever come through over the next few years.Our juniors are well performed at the moment,the coaching staff some may question,but I have no doubt the Magpies will be a force in the not too distant future.

My fingers hurt.

[Magpiespower]

Yeah, I remember a Port supporter on the radio claiming he had supported the Magpies through the "tough times" ... 1966 to 1976!!!! Tough times? In this period they played in 6 Grand Finals and missed the finals only once. This made me realise that a number of Port fans out there wouldn't have a clue what tough times really are, and it would be satisfying to see them experience it, as other clubs' supporters have had to do.

LOL!

Have had plenty of arguments over that one.

Chances are the same Port who speak of these 'tough times' are the same one's calling for Chocko's head at the moment.

[Jimmy]

i think pork will still be able to buy certain players as for some reason they want to play there...they wont be in the shit for the next few years, just hanging around, like a dag off a sheeps arse.

[Macca19]

Hard to answer really. Ive thought about it for a while but still havent come to a conclusion.

In terms of this year, I still think we can impact the finals. It is entirely dependant on when we get our injured guys back, but with 6-8 top players to come into the side, there is no reason why we cant make the finals and then surprise a few teams. What this season has shown is that we have no depth, especially in KPP. The KPP in the reserves are all young guys in their first season at that level. Guys like Hall, Taylor, Smith, Caterall have done well but none would have an impact in the seniors yet. We have a few key players under performing at the moment and that also doesnt help things.

Some teams can cover plenty of losses, others cant. Yes North kept winning most weeks when they had their terrible stint, we havent been that lucky and its uncovered many holes in our side and gameplan. But we did beat Centrals and Eagles earlier this year and our half a side almost beat Norths half a side.

Our form recently has been nothing short of shithouse. I havent believed the dissent rumours but after seeing yesterday I do have to wonder if Tim has lost some of the players. They seem angry and non responsive to him. Jeremy Clyaton had a big go at one of our supporters at 1/4 time and Ginever let rip with a heap of abuse towards the players at 1/4 time as well. The result - 1 goal to 8 in the next quarter.

I still hold hope that we can recover from this, as we have in the past, and knock some teams out of the finals. We would want to sharpen up soon though otherwise it will be too late.

As for future years...it is possible that we may struggle to make the finals. It is dependant on who stays and who goes. We desperately need another 2-3 quality KPP and another quality ruck. I think we have enough small options at the moment but another quality midfielder wouldnt hurt.

The country Academy seems to be going well. The imports have done well in the colts and reserves and with more development its quite possible that guys like Summerton, Montgomerie, Rotolo, Hall, Taylor, Caterall, Miller will become regular performers at senior level in the future. But as I said, our future depends on who we can keep from the AFL and who else we attract from there. If this year we lose Clayton, Baird, Morrison then we will be in some trouble. We should not need to rely on them but they are the facts at this point.

[Pseudo]

I'm very interested to see your write-up this week Macca - unless it's too painful to do.

[Magpiespower]

Hey Macca - can you elaborate on J. Clayton having a go at a supporter?

Either the supporter was being an idiot...

Or Clayton's mind wasn't on the job.

[Aerie]

Hey Macca - can you elaborate on J. Clayton having a go at a supporter?

Either the supporter was being an idiot...

Or Clayton's mind wasn't on the job.

Clayton looks to be playing with an injury. He looked frustrated out there on Sunday and in the game vs Eagles a couple of weeks ago.

[PortAdelaideProud]

I think someone pointed this out earlier, but when we had our complete list (including alot of our AFL listed players like Surjan, Stevens, Maric) we were on top of the league. No one could come close to beating us. Then as our players like Surjan, Stevens and Maric got better and better, they got elevated to the Power and Crows, thus taking out major parts of our early success. Then we started getting injuries to other key players, ie Waterhouse, Eichner, Jenner, etc etc. The major parts of our team had gone, so of coarse, we started to faulter, and the losing began.

If Port can scrap into the finals, they'll regain a few players from the Power (Surjan, Kingsley) and hopefully Stevens and Maric from the Crows, and hopefully our injury start to heal. If that happens, we'll be back to our best, and that'll scare the living daylights out of the rest of the SANFL, including North Adelaide. I know that sounds arrogant, but I believe it's true. Our two games against North, we did not have our best team. Our first game against them, I believe we had just lost Surjan to the Power, even though we got Ebert in return, Ebert didn't do jack for us in the 2nd half when we needed him.

The second time around, how many players were we missing. Mark Clayton, Stevens, Waterhouse got hurt, Surjan, Kingsley, Eichner, Jenner, the backbone of our team was basically gone. No wonder they blew us to smitherines.

Once we get our full list back, we'll be back to the top!

[drebin]

Some teams can cover plenty of losses, others cant. Yes North kept winning most weeks when they had their terrible stint, we havent been that lucky and its uncovered many holes in our side and gameplan. But we did beat Centrals and Eagles earlier this year and our half a side almost beat Norths half a side

Must have missed that game Macca? This year was it? Surely not the Prospect game - you were at nearly full strength! Don't count Surjan, Kingsley, Wanganeen, Stevens, Maric and Ebert - they are AFL players!. You even had Ebert and Maric that day. That is why Port are struggling relying on AFL "gifts" to add strength to your team.

Geez you wouldn't want teams like the Eagles to start including all their AFL listed players would you because if you did they wouldn't be anywhere full strength each week if that was the case! Failed arguement I'm afraid. Stick to those players wholly and soley signed to the PAMFC as your outs compared to our wholly and soley NAFC signed players that game. No contest - we were way down in terms of key players as opposed to about 2 outs for you guys.

[RoosterMarty]

I think someone pointed this out earlier, but when we had our complete list (including alot of our AFL listed players like Surjan, Stevens, Maric) we were on top of the league. No one could come close to beating us. Then as our players like Surjan, Stevens and Maric got better and better, they got elevated to the Power and Crows, thus taking out major parts of our early success. Then we started getting injuries to other key players, ie Waterhouse, Eichner, Jenner, etc etc. The major parts of our team had gone, so of coarse, we started to faulter, and the losing began.

If Port can scrap into the finals, they'll regain a few players from the Power (Surjan, Kingsley) and hopefully Stevens and Maric from the Crows, and hopefully our injury start to heal. If that happens, we'll be back to our best, and that'll scare the living daylights out of the rest of the SANFL, including North Adelaide. I know that sounds arrogant, but I believe it's true. Our two games against North, we did not have our best team. Our first game against them, I believe we had just lost Surjan to the Power, even though we got Ebert in return, Ebert didn't do jack for us in the 2nd half when we needed him.

The second time around, how many players were we missing. Mark Clayton, Stevens, Waterhouse got hurt, Surjan, Kingsley, Eichner, Jenner, the backbone of our team was basically gone. No wonder they blew us to smitherines.

Once we get our full list back, we'll be back to the top!

You didnt have your best team against North at Prospect? Do you remember our side? We had a stack of players out, far more than Port did and we still managed to beat you. You have no depth at all which is why you are getting smashed at the moment. Maric is already back so you wont regain him.

[RM]

Great post Tassie.

PAProud.

[Gravel]

1980- I think you overestimate the impact the formation of the Crows had on Glenelg.
All clubs were impacted and all lose players to the AFL. Cornes was replaced with a good coach that got Glenelg into the 1992 grand final.

[Booney]

Might want to edit that post again Drebin,it appears you have used macca19's quote to dig at me?

[Macca19]

I posted numerous times at the time of the players we were missing - not including AFL players. We were missing about 7 guys that day, North were missing about 9. We did not have our best side out there that day, despite what drebin will try and get people to believe. I cant recall off the top of my head but I remember it included Fitzgerald and Jenner and Lokan got injured in the first 30 seconds. Yes we were missing AFL players, no I dont count Surjan or Maric. I do count Wanganeen and Kingsley who would have played pretty much each week down at Alberton had it not been for injuries. We had something like 5 forced changes from the previous week. Not exactly a stable side coming into the game.


At 1/4 time a few of the supporters were angry. One guy got there earlyish as the other players were getting there and let go with some words. Clayton went up to him and said 'F* off' and walked off.

Pseudo - I dont have a home computer at the moment so I cant sit down and write any reviews, as has been the case for the last 3-4 annoying weeks. Everytime I get it back 3 days later it breaks down again. Hopefully I get it back for good tonight...ill write one up once I get it back.