It would appear that Port Adelaide continue to upset journalists with their performances in 2013.
An unbeaten start to the season, coupled with Adelaide struggling to live up to their pre-season hype meant that the city of Adelaide was living in an Alice in Wonderland world, where up was down and nothing was quite as it should have been.
After four straight losses those who write about football are waiting patiently for the Power to implode. Much to the disappointment of many they aren’t.
Commentators suggest that after Round 8 there is a historical trend that the top eight of the ladder would remain largely unchanged with two teams dropping out, being replaced by two from outside.
Realistic Port fans are aware that a finals berth this year would be a blessing. Nobody sporting the Alberton version of black and white went into this season expecting games at the business end of September.
However looking at the ladder and the upcoming fixtures the question that needs to be asked is ‘will port trouble the scorers in the finals?’
My honest held belief is that they will, despite the shrieking from the Adelaide press that Port’s finals dreams are in tatters.
There is a finals dream at Alberton, but much like I dream that one day Lily Allen will find herself in Adelaide and we will live happily ever after near to the beach, if that doesn’t happen I’m not going to spend the rest of my life complaining that nothing goes my way, and that dream will continue. It most certainly isn’t destroyed.
When the Power play finals in 2013 it will be great, it will be the pinnacle of a season, which is the start of a re-building phase at Alberton. Finals will be a bonus.
A chance to give Jake Neade and Chad Wingard a taste of the pointy end of a season. If it doesn’t happen then there is nothing lost, Ken Hinkley just settles down into season two of establishing a culture at one of the most successful sporting clubs in the world.
The culture of winning at Alberton was eroded over a period of five years. A club that ‘exists to win premierships’ finally won one in 2004.
In 2007 they faced Geelong with a squad that remained largely unchanged from that September day that ended Leigh Matthew’s dream of four-in-a-row.
It wasn’t until 2011 that the premiership group was whittled down to a small number.
Port Adelaide was still hanging on to those days with white knuckles and a wistful look in their eyes hoping that the romance of Matthew Primus and Josh Carr would bring silverware back to the hallowed halls of Alberton.
It didn’t and much to the chagrin of some journalists Port Adelaide FC has shaken off the patriarchal culture of a couple of years ago and sweeping reforms have led to the appointment of a brand new president and the appointment of a non-Port Adelaide coach.
These are all steps in the right direction and given chance Port Adelaide can return to the pinnacle of Australian Rules football, not because they are entitled to it, or because the club exists to win premierships, but because they deserve it.
The history of a football club is important, and should ever be forgotten, however that history does not automatically give you a ticket to the end-of –season ball.
Is Port Adelaide vintage 2013 worthy of a place in the finals, the answer is yes, based on the fact that they are doing very little wrong, both on the field and off.
The things that aren’t going so well for the Power are fixable, add to that the fact that there are no excuses coming from the coaching group, just realistic analysis of what is happening.
Australia is a land of tall poppies and nothing pleases people more than a club with history struggling. This season is the first stage of a very long journey for the Alberton faithful.
A journey that will see them move stadium and hopefully start to build a squad around Hartlett and Wines.
A journey that will have ups and downs, one that will have breathtaking views and days you wish you hadn’t got out of bed in equal measure.
This Port Adelaide fan doesn’t care if they finish outside of the eight come September, I’m enjoying the development of a team that I can be proud of.
This group of players doesn’t look to blame; it takes ownership of their own failings and looks to improve.
It is a group that doesn’t expect to win premierships; it is a group that wants to earn them.
So take a deep breath and steel yourself for the second half of the season.
A season where ten wins is a distinct possibility and that if Ken and his charges can fix the first quarter then finals stop being a dream and become a probability.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Don't listen to these critics Dave, it is your opinion.
Jason from Sydney
Guest
Dave you are 100% correct and I know this as well and I live in Sydney, I read the articles and have listened to 5aa online. They are one sided towards the crows. I can clearly see that. The media in NSW are much better than the media in South Australia in my view.
Melbourne is the new Adelaide
Guest
Another baseless comment backed up by no facts (and actually not really knowing what it wants to say). Keep them coming and I actually might start to believe what Harry Kellerman is saying about Port Adelaide.
Jimbo
Guest
Rome was not built in a day, but neither was it sacked. A strong Port, gives the rest of South Australia a reason to hate, and with that comes a reason to live. Its more than possible that for a lot of Crows fans, seeing Port lose is more enjoyable than seeing their own team win. And i imagine that comes from the fact that most Crows are fans of SANFL sides that got flogged by PA week in week out.
Dave Webb
Roar Pro
Firstly thanks for the 'above average' compliment. As an Adelaide resident it's difficult to find a balanced view of Port Adelaide in the media. I try not to read the articles so I'm not swayed by their opinions. I count the radio commentators as I listen to fiveaa a lot. There is glee in the voice of Chris McDermott and Steven Roe when they talk about Port Adelaide under performing. In the first weeks of the season the message was consistently that the opposition was unworthy and therefore the only reason they won. Honestly the reporting of AFL in SA is massively crow centric. In my opinion (hence writing opinion pieces) there is more to PAFC than is being reported. I know they aren't the best side in the AFL but I believe they deserve more positive reporting. I take exception to the idea that Port Adelaide a) had finals dreams and b) that dream is in tatters. It was another article written by an ex crows player. No conspiracy, just trying to even the ledger.
Melbourne is the New Adelaide
Guest
Whilst your prose is above average, this is likely a silly conspiracy piece. You've provided no reference to the journos that are "waiting patiently for the Power to implode" that backs up your article. I read articles in The Australian, Sun Herald, The Age (Real Footy) and here on The Roar. I don't recall seeing any evidence of any journos 'waiting patiently' for the Power to blow up. I don't make an effort to read the Advertiser, but believe if you don't like what they write don't buy the paper (aren't people like you financing their survival?). However I find absolutely nothing wrong with this article I just found online http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/port-adelaides-finals-dreams-in-tatters-after-48-point-loss-to-geelong/story-e6freco3-1226650538811 I also don't understand the line "It would appear that Port Adelaide continue to upset journalists with their performances in 2013". If my recollection is correct, the journos simply reported the facts, in some cases saying they were surprised after the 5-0 effort. What is wrong with reporting the facts" (as per above article)? I do not recall anyone writing that they were upset Port was winning. I am not saying none exist, but if they do please provide a link (respectable journos only please). I stand to be corrected about your paranoia.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Great article! Very true with great points to back it up. Port are on the up, it doesn't seem many notice that just yet.
Franko
Guest
I am rusted on Port but won’t mind missing the finals this year (as I think we will) The most important thing is that the boys learn to play the right way, so that when they are more mature, they know how to win. Hartlett, Wines and Wingard hopefully will be 3 great players with Boak, Ebert and Gray around them you begin to form a heartbeat. But it is going to take a couple of KPP really stepping up if Port are to make a run in a few years. John Butcher needs to become a 60-90 goals a year player. Lobbe needs to become a dominant ruckman and someone needs to step up to be bigger and better than Alipate. This is where our problems lay. There are a few big boys at the Maggies doing ok (Luke Reynolds) so we’ll see.
Marga
Guest
Great article and an excellent example of good writing, balanced view and realistic assessment. Unfortunately, the media especially in SA are so hysterical, one-eyed and sensationalist that football fans despair of getting any fair coverage if you follow any team that s not the Adelaide Crows. This s especially so ( it seems, although I can be one-eyed too!) when it comes to Port Adelaide. I don't expect miracles as a supporter but it is nice to see the changes wrought at the Power and the outcomes we have seen to date.