Port Adelaide, David Koch, Ken Hinkley and all involved at Alberton should accept a ‘Job Well Done’ commendation for the 2013 season.
They can now go to war in earnest in 2014 and find four or five key position players and make themselves a fortress, not just a Port in any storm.
There are storms in every game in an AFL season and the youngsters weathered it, sailed through it and, but for some over-umpiring, would be still alive in 2013.
I thought the better team lost on Friday night.
I judge that on the quality of play by an outnumbered, out-experienced, young team with a new coach.
For one half they looked like the Fremantle Dockers – really!
But physical and mental toughness can only get you so far.
If the weight of ball suddenly gets added to by the umpires screwing up simple calls, the game is lost, and one can never lay the loss at the feet of an umpire in the AFL.
Even when Geelong shot 20-plus points clear they refused to give in and had it at 16 at the final whistle.
The margin might have been as little as four with luck (and better umpiring).
So here’s to Port – may they set the tone for young teams such as Adelaide, West Coast, Brisbane, Richmond, Melbourne, GWS, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.
It is a young man’s game now in the AFL, and young players have to mature more quickly.
These kids, be they 17 or 27, are still kids. Maturity of body and mind will come quickly from great leaders such as Hinkley and others.
It’s time to expose the players at Port to an education that will set them up for life, not just life on the footy field.
I think Kochy would agree – the game is life, one of the tests of life is football.
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