Port Adelaide’s performance against finals contenders Carlton on Sunday night was the sign of a champion football side in the making.
Or maybe they are already there?
At the end of 2012 season, the once-proud Port Adelaide Football Club was at its lowest level ever.
The one-time arrogant team from the early 00s, where they were as dominant as any other, was nowhere to be seen and it was embarrassing for the game and the state.
A club with no direction in consecutive years, they had lost to both expansion clubs, Matthew Primus – a club legend – was told he was not required next year, president Brett Duncanson stepped down, there was crippling debt, poor crowds, a bail-out from the AFL, lack of sponsors, low membership and with compromised drafts in the coming years, the future was not looking good at all.
And with Geelong trying to poach Port’s best player and future captain Travis Boak mid-season, it showed the lack of respect an AFL club should demand.
Fast forward just under 12 months later to the elimination final against the mighty Collingwood at the MCG.
Port out-played, out-classed and out-ran the premiership contenders and appeared to do it with ease.
The following week, Port took it right up to the best team of the last seven years in Geelong, but still no one took them as a serious contender.
So how did a team go from absolute basket case – yes, the worst team in the AFL on and off the field – to premiership contenders in one season? I’m sure it’s what Melbourne and St Kilda are surely asking themselves.
2013 saw the club with a new coach and leader in Ken Hinkley. New president David Koch has used his status to get more money for the football department so they can do their job properly and 40,000 members followed too.
Fitness guru Darren Burges was brought in and appears to be worth every cent.
But the key to it all is the players uniting.
They suffered a terrible tragedy in the 2012 off-season with the passing of John McCarthy but it appears to have galvanised them.
Boak re-signed and was named captain, Robbie Gray, Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett are fit, Kane Cornes is back to his menacing best and Westoff continues to be underestimated by the opposition.
Throw in two readymade stars in Ollie Wines and Chad Wingard and suddenly we are all starting to take notice.
With the inclusion of Jared Polec and Matt White this year, the move to Adelaide Oval and unified support from the fans, the arrogance of Port is back.
And I for one am thrilled, that’s why the Power is my tip for the flag this year.
And for the record, I’m a Pies fan.
Jayden
Guest
Is it a silly article now??
Lightning Jim
Guest
Good to see xflamedancer. I think most Port people share your sentiments, and I doubt whether any of us could be accused of getting carried away with ourselves (apart from maybe the writer of this article :) ). It seems that good news and a reversal for Port has been such a long time coming, that we're struggling to embrace it, now that it has arrived. And you're right, the 2007 GF was a big blow to our belief and self esteem. It has created doubt in our minds and made us wary. Admittedly there's still a long way to go to win a flag and no guarantees, but I am enjoying every minute of the journey with a cup half full mentality.
xflamedancer
Guest
I have let my hair down and I am definitely basking in the reflected glory of what the boys have achieved so far and I for one can't wait to see what comes next. I think (for me at least) it's because of the 2007 GF and the subsequent "Dark Years" that followed has left some scarring and I'm hesitant to get too excited about this year yet. I am absolutely over the moon that last year went so well and hope things will go better this year we all know how easily the wheels can fall off. Like Franko I'm happy to take it one week at a time and I trust Kochie, KT, Ken and the rest of the team they have assembled (on and off the field) to give it their all. That said, I will happily settle for making the finals. After that well lets see what, I don't think we are there yet for the GF but I don't think we are too far away either if they keep playing the way they have been.
chris castle
Guest
Get real, its only the first game. Talk about smug. They will do well but I dont know about winning the flag. They have to play alot a teams that are real contenders too, yet.
Lightning Jim
Guest
After all those ticks and last years season Franko, what do you mean we've proved nothing to no one? We've proved something, but not everything. Why are you so reserved about showing any optimism re Port? Try letting your hair down a little, and bask in the sunshine of what we have accomplished so far for a change. You don't have to wait for a premiership before you can do that. ;)
Ando
Guest
Neither has Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Essendon, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, West Coast or the Bulldogs (I didnt include the expansion sides for obvious reasons). I dont think anyone down Port has made any real excuses as to why they havent made the GF, they know they havent done well enough since 07 and havent made the right decisions. That is all changing, very quickly.
Franko
Guest
We've proved nothing to nobody yet Jim. Win on Etihad - tick Knock off a finals contender away - Tick Win without Boak, Ebert and to some extent Wingard and Hartlett firing - Tick Beat top sides in the comp - ??? Jury still out ??? If we can beat the Crows and North Melbourne, we then have Brisbane at home, to be 4-0 would be a great start and will attract plenty of hype. But... one week at a time, let's beat the franchise first.
Lightning Jim
Guest
Agree that Port unlikely to win the flag this year, but why do they have to beat ALL of the 6 clubs you mentioned to be taken seriously? Not too many premiership sides have gone through a season unbeaten.
Norfolk
Roar Rookie
Eh, tipped them against Carlton, so I get your point.
Radelaide
Guest
I think Port might have the most talent and an even spread to take the load but due to their youth look as if their bodies aren't battle hardened like Fremantle but I'll make a bold prediction that by the end of 2016 they'll have made a Grand final, hope it's sooner.
Llpp
Guest
Remember the Baby Bombers? This Port Adelaide side is a good side and they are only going to improve...it's not that they beat Carlton, it's how they beat Carlton in the last quarter. Carlton is a good side and has been a bogey team for Port over the last few years. ... That didn't play on their minds when they ran them off their feet at Ethiad...a ground they also have struggled at. Port is a genuine chance...their fitness is a major strength and as the season progresses, I think a lot of sides will simply not be able to keep up...also looking through their list, they have enormous depth...they have a solid back line, their runners through the midfield are terrific and also versatile...ad to that Schultz, Westhoff and Butcher plus wingard, Monfries and Gray up forward and underestimate Port at your own peril...port dont want to be favourites, they like the underdog tag and their never give up slogan is well ingrained into their minds. They are well coached, quick, young and fit...of course Hawthorn and Freo will be around the mark too but you must remember, they were only a couple of questionable umpiring decisions away from beating Geelomg in the semi final last year. I think with Port, the sky is the limit this year.
Simoc
Guest
But Ross Lyon makes the Grand Final. Have Port A since Williams; No they just make excuses like losers do.
Simoc
Guest
Carlton have never been anything worthwhile in recent times and beating them is like taking your grandma to a picknick. Your ears get a shellacking but the result is lose, lose. We'll know in September if travis is clueless. Less than a flag win and he shouts us all drinks or certifies himself a moron. I'm Fremantle Dockers and so enjoy free drinks.
Jason from Sydney
Guest
Yes I support Port Adelaide it is far too early to talk about premierships, let's take it one game at a time and if it happens great I will be happy. For me as a fan I will take it one game at a time.
Lightning Jim
Guest
Agree with most of what you said Franko. But nevertheless feel that Port will improve on last year and at the best could make the top 4, or more realistically sixth. (Not based on the Carlton game alone or the tips of others.) However, I said nothing about them winning the flag.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
travis, I take it you've laid a huge wad of cash down on the Power to take out the comp this year? Surely?
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Agree. Great to come out well but, in reality, get to the finals and you need to win 3 consecutive gams to win the premiership - in September. While Port can do that they are not 2014 Premiership contenders - but not far off, probably next year or 2016.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Definitely great tactics by Hinkley (only obvious coach of the year las year) and yes the fitness coach is doing wonders. Premiership? Not yet.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
They are an outside chance to say the least. I think more likely next year or 2016 but not this year - that is hoping a bit too much. Also I picked Power and picked them against Collingwood in Finals too. They are better than (some) people think but not that good...yet
Australian Rules
Guest
For the Hawks, they'd happy with the Giants' upset for 2 reasons: 1 - It means Sydney goes as game down. 2 - It probably extinguished any chance they'd take Brisbane lightly in Tassie.