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AFL season wrap - Port Adelaide and Carlton

Roar Rookie
15th September, 2013
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The wolves at Ken Hinkley's door are retreating after a 2-0 start. (Image: AFL Media)
Roar Rookie
15th September, 2013
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Another week has passed, and another two teams’ premiership hopes have bitten the dust.

Despite a brilliant fightback in the last few minutes, Port Adelaide fell in dramatic style to Geelong. After rising from the doldrums, their dream run in 2013 is over.

Geelong progresses to face Hawthorn, a match-up that will have the AFL salivating, but will have Hawks fans very nervous due to their record against the Cats.

In the other game, Sydney bounced back from their disappointing loss to the Hawks last week to knock Carlton out of the finals.

The results set up two interesting preliminary finals, with Hawthorn facing Geelong at the MCG while Sydney play Fremantle in Perth.

Now that their seasons are over, let’s take a look at the performances of Port Adelaide and Carlton.

Port Adelaide

What went right?
For the most part, the coaching staff and recruiters at Port Adelaide need hearty congratulations for this year’s effort.

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Led by first year coach Ken Hinkley, Port instilled a fitness regime which turned them from laughing stock of the competition to a competitive side playing finals in the space of an off-season– something that Melbourne has been unable to achieve over the space of many years.

The recruiters have drafted some genuinely very good players in Oliver Wines, Tom Jonas, Sam Colquhoun and Kane Mitchell.

They also brought in a refreshed Angus Monfries and Jake Neade via trade and only lost Danyle Pearce, Troy Chaplin and journeyman David Rodan.

While Chaplin and Pearce seemed like they would be big losses, players like Wines and Chad Wingard were able to step up, strengthening Port’s midfield.

Port’s fitness also allowed them to run out games better than many of their opponents. Their fitness regime allowed them to stun the competition, going undefeated in the first five games.

What went wrong?
Unfortunately Port was not able to maintain the momentum that had swept them through the first five weeks of the season and capitalise on it.

Otherwise, not much went wrong for Port. They turned Football Park into a fortress in which they claimed the big scalps of Collingwood and reining premiers Sydney.

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The biggest concern for Port would have been their form on the road, where they came away with only five victories including their finals win against Collingwood.

They lost games against teams they should be defeating away from home, including games against the Western Bulldogs and the inconsistent North Melbourne.

Where to for next year?
What is needed is another year of experience for their young players.

Port revealed an array of match-winning youngsters in the likes of Neade, Wingard and Wines, who stood up and provided the great support that Westoff, Boak and Hartlett desperately needed.

Ken Hinkley has done a marvelous job grilling these players and they will be hoping it only gets better with another season at the helm.

Port has already lost Brett Ebert for next year through retirement, while Kane Cornes and Dom Cassisi may not be far behind.

Kane Mitchell was brought in from the WAFL but used only in a minor substitute role, so could be great trade bait for Port.

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But for the most part, Port will probably look to hold on to its young players and work the foundations they have laid this season.

If they can do that, they should at least maintain their position in the Top 8 and get another crack at finals football.

If they are able to improve, Port may become a genuine premiership contender in two to three years – possibly the last premiership window for players like Boak, Westoff and Hartlett before age catches up with them.

Carlton

What went right?
This was a season of inconsistency for the Navy Blues – their best was pretty good, but their worst was horrible.

It started to come together in patches towards the end of the season, with impressive comeback wins against Richmond, Port Adelaide and Richmond again in the Elimination Final.

When Carlton played an attractive brand of football, they were fantastic to watch. When they were on, their run, spread and carry was back to their best of two years ago.

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Despite going down in their first three games, it actually doesn’t show how competitive they were.

In Round 1 against Richmond, Carlton had several chances to win the game. They were also very competitive against Geelong and Collingwood, taking the game to both sides before running out of legs at the end.

If Carlton are able to build on those performances, they can get back to pushing for top four as they were two years ago.

What went wrong?
Carlton’s their inability to run out games and kick accurately once again hurt them. Their inability to hold out leads and close games also cost them.

Carlton held leads against Essendon (twice), Hawthorn and Collingwood, but let them slip in the final quarter to cost them the game.

Inaccurate kicking also cost Carlton games against Essendon and St Kilda, in which Carlton ended up with more scoring shots only to lose the game.

Marc Murphy being tagged out of games was another factor. The captain not being given the support he needed from his teammates to break free restricted Carlton’s previous clearance domination.

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Unlike last year, in which Carlton missed the finals, the list was relatively disruption free. Murphy, Armfield, Garlett, Henderson, Jamison, McLean, Simpson, Touhy and Walker all playing over 21 games, with others like Gibbs, Judd, Yarran, Curnow, Robinson and Scotland playing 18 or 19 games.

Where to for next year?
Carlton desperately need a key position player – top of their wishlist every year since Fevola left.

In the meantime, the club seems unsure of where Henderson and Waite belong.

When Henderson was moved forward while Waite recovered from another injury he seemed to run into a green patch of form. He was kept there, and upon return Waite was moved to the defence.

In their final two games, Waite has been caught out in defence. Henderson, while serviceable, has dropped on and now seems to be receiving the attention of the number one defender and needs some support from another big forward to help with the load.

Carlton have a few in the old brigade who are getting closer to the ends of their respective careers.

With Heath Scotland and Waite already above 30 and Carazzo, Simpson and Judd also nearing their 30s, Carlton may require some more support in the midfield for the likes of Murphy and Gibbs.

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Carlton would also be tempted to part ways with some of their ruck stocks as they seem to be overflowing with them at the moment.

Kruezer has settled as the number one with Warnock next in line, while Rowe, Casboult and Mitchell are all available as relief ruckmen. This leaves Hampson as being deemed surplus, but not worth much.

Carlton would probably be willing to trade Warnock and a draft pick to GWS if it could secure the number one pick, which will probably be the highly touted Tom Boyd.

Others who may be looking for a new team this season after limited opportunities may include Duigan, Laidler, Joseph and Ellard.

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