Port Adelaide are terrible. There’s no passion, no effort, no skills, no fitness, I could go on for years.
Talent isn’t the issue. We’re only two years removed from Port Adelaide being one of the best midfields in the competition, and the troops haven’t really changed since then. You’d have to think that most of the guys running through that midfield are much better than they’ve shown this year.
The forward line is dangerous when healthy. A good mix of talls and smalls that were (once again) one of the best a short two years ago. You could blame it on the supply from the midfield this season, but there’s been a bad habit of overusing the ball inside 50.
In fact, I’d only put forward three or four games this season where Port’s forward line has played well.
The defence has been ravaged by injury and suspension, but they are a little threadbare back there. That may be the target for a first-round pick or a trade this offseason, in particular a tall.
The pieces are definitely there, so why are they underperforming? Why has Travis Boak suffered through the worst season of his career? Why has the scoring dried up so much this season? Why are they losing to mediocre teams by 40 at home?
Ken Hinkley.
Port Adelaide swept through the 2013 and 2014 seasons with a breathtaking style of footy. They were running teams off their feet, and then off the ground. As mentioned before, every line on the ground looked good, as they got wins in September both years.
Then teams figured them out. That’s OK, it happens. What shouldn’t happen though, is a complete unwillingness to change the game plan.
Sure, the Bulldogs and the Giants have shown a similar style of play in the last
couple of years, but they do it differently. They pick their spots to run hard, and usually choose to perfection.
Port Adelaide play on all the time, often to their own detriment. The amount of times this season where someone has taken a mark in defensive 50, only to play on into pressure, is remarkable.
It’s an energy sapping game style that, quite frankly, doesn’t work anymore. And yet Ken Hinkley continues to push it, without even considering a Plan B (or what should be a different Plan A).
He continues to want the players to bust their guts on a weekly basis. Too much focus has been put into fitness, and not enough into skills (Port are dead last in kicking efficiency).
I strongly believe that Port Adelaide can be a Top 4 (or thereabouts) team with the right coaching and game plan. I’ve heard ‘Bomber’ Thompson is available. There’s also a guy sitting out there by the name of Brett Ratten that’s had some success in the past.
If Port Adelaide are serious about contending, they’ll go after one of these guys. If they’re not, they’ll stick with the same tired game plan that the fans are getting sick of.
Yes, Hinkley was brilliant for two seasons, but this is a cut-throat business. If you don’t adapt, you die.
It was yes we Ken a couple years ago. Now, unfortunately, it’s the exact opposite.
Don Freo
Guest
Another sacking? Great footy follower tactic. Find someone to sack. They could try something else...recruit Ryder and Monfries?
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
Where do we start with Port! Certainly frustrating if you support them. I agree talent isn't the issue. But I think to be seriously challenging for finals like many clubs they need to have that talent available. I am certainly not saying Ryder and Monfries are the saviours but they will assist with what is currently on offer. For me the big loss is Jack Hombsch. Even a player like Alipate Carlile is an interesting one. It is probably debatable if he is in the best 18, but you take Trengove out of defence to play ruck, take out Hombsch and Jonas also injured currently then all of a sudden Carlile is probably a handy option to have right now. The defence and midfield definately lack polish with Hartlett missing, Polec has struggled coming back from inury and Matt White has not played a game since round 1. Port just have not dealt with injuries well and the club needs to also review this in-depth. Especially the mangement of players like Jay Schulz and Carlile. When Hinkley took over many thought it was the worst list in the league and would take 5 plus years to even contemplate finals. 3 years later Port Adelaide were underachieving by not playing in a Grand Final. Hinkley will be given next year and if Port miss the finals again then it will be time to go. There will be a couple of changes to the assistant coaches and time will tell if that helps. Maybe Hinkley is more a motivator and needs a more tactical assistant like he had with Walsh and Richardson before they left. Bassett has done a great job and I can see him getting more responsibility. I have been criticial of team selection and some tactics this season. I dont agree Port are using the same game plan. I attended the after match function Saturday night and the club is obviously angry at the curent position. But from what the CEO has said Hinkley will not be moved on. As angry as I am with the current predicament I think Hinkley deserves next year. But there needs to be change to the playing list, fitness staff, coaches and development and a massive focus on skills work in the pre-season. No more Darren Burgess lets make olympic runners training.
Grant
Roar Rookie
Hinkley needs to stay another year at least. The cattle on the park aren't as good as people reckon.The depth in the midfield is too shallow. If 1 or 2 are off by a little then the next level aren't good enough to step up. I agree the skills are terrible, more time with the balls in hand and a less time in classrooms Id reckon.
Slane
Guest
Hinkley got a massive amount out of a list that was supposed to be raffling the spoon with Brisbane. It would be a folly to ged rid of the guy before he has had a chance to refresh his list.
Pete
Guest
It was a massive turn around under Ken Hinkley in 2013 and 2014. Expectations probably have not been realistic since then given the quality of their list. I'd give him one more year.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Why would you stick with Hinkley though? To see the same, tired game plan for a third straight year? I'd like to see Port actually show some guts and make the necessary changes to make the club competitive again.
Gecko
Guest
Unless there's a real stand-out coach waiting in the wings (and there isn't; you're romanticising about Ratten, while Bomber seems to lack the drive nowadays), I'd stick with Hinkley. He may need a new assistant coach that brings a new perspective but Port doesn't need a knee-jerk reaction that blames one person for what is a wider problem.
me too
Guest
they don't have the cattle and yes they need a rather large tweak.