Last year, the AFL preseason hype centred on teams like Melbourne, Essendon and Carlton, but the surprise packets of 2020 were Brisbane.
The Lions did not disappoint from an outstanding start to the season and coach Chris Fagan attributed the change in fortune to the players’ attitude and leadership, particularly when responding to losses in Rounds 4 and 5.
When examining why teams perform better than they should on paper, it seems to come back to one undeniable fact: history means everything!
Thus, in the 150th anniversary year of Port Adelaide Football Club, the Power will don the historic, premiership-winning ‘prison bars’.
Passion in their 150th year will result in a dramatic surge up the table.
Remember though, smart football wins matches. Port Adelaide were number one in 2019 for inside 50s, averaging 58.1 per game, but only converted to goals at 19.5 per cent – the AFL average is 23 per cent, with minor premiers Geelong converting at 27 per cent.
However, the smooth moving and efficient disposal of Port’s midfield, along with Karl Amon on the wing and a fit and firing Jack Watts, Justin Westhoff, Ryan Burton, Tom Clurey and Hamish Hartlett in the back half will improve the delivery to the fit and lean-looking forward targets like Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall.
Other teams’ defences will be having nightmares for weeks.
Ken Hinkley has indicated he will be giving opportunities to new recruits such as Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades and Dylan Williams, and after last year’s recruiting bonanza, who could doubt him?
The recipe for success is taking shape when you sprinkle in Robbie Gray, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert’s gut-running, and the hard inside midfield grunt of Ollie Wines and smarts of Tom Rockliff in the square.
Throw in a personal best time trial for Scott Lycett, as well as veterans Westhoff and Gray, and you can see that this is not an ordinary year for Port.
Supporters should begin to get excited.
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
You finished higher than us but still no flag for you guys since 2011 finishing us higher us means jack
Powa
Roar Rookie
na, I expect another 10-12, they havent lost that much
AD
Guest
While I agree with your general point about the 7th and 8th places just making up the numbers, you could probably make the same argument about 5th and 6th. How many teams have won the flag from outside the top 4 under the current finals system? The Bulldogs won it from 7th (I think?) a few years back, but that's the only one I can think of off the top of my head. In which case we might as well cut it back to only the top 4 playing finals, but that would remove a lot of interest from the back end of the season with most teams being out of contention much earlier. And it would remove the chance of that odd miracle like the Bulldogs winning it from 7th. I certainly don't advocate increasing the finals from the current 8 teams, but I think in an 18 team comp, having 8 play finals isn't excessive.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
My finals teams for 2020 are the same as 2019 except for Hawthorn and North Melbourne replacing the Bulldogs and Essendon. I honestly can’t see any of the top six missing out, unless there’s a massive unforeseen disaster or scandal happening in the meantime. As I’ve remarked a few times last year, 7th and 8th sides are usually only making up the numbers in my opinion and should be scrapped to make the top 6 only play off at the end of the season.
RT
Roar Rookie
Interesting. And dodgy all right. Sorry North.
sammy
Guest
Port Power...Born in 1996 died GF 2007, reborn 1860..there you go
Tom
Guest
North Melbourne's 150 years is considered dodgy outside of the club. The club was disbanded in 1876 and all its players went to Albert Park. And then Hotham (the current club) was established in 1877 by the same people who ran the previous North Melbourne.
Powa
Roar Rookie
they just keep recruiting midfielders when they need big forwards
Tim O'Hare
Roar Rookie
This seems more like wishful thinking than a credible analysis. I am open to the idea of Port Adelaide rising up the ladder, but I don't think you have really made the case beyond the fact that they may have greater goal conversion.
Marty
Roar Rookie
I admire the authors enthusiasm and agree that, on paper, they look like a legit finals contender. Unfortunately this has not translated into in field performance over the last couple of seasons, why should this year be any different?
Jamie Elkins
Roar Rookie
Gotta love some January optimism!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think that's Rob's intention.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Don't lose the faith B the 1st. I'm a Jack fan...however "fit and firing" might need the season to start first.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Highly likely.
anon
Roar Pro
Hinkley is a poor coach. No way they make the top 4
TomC
Roar Guru
Not really, but it's just about impossible to assess from the outside. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Port Adelaide were significantly better in 2020.
AD
Guest
Do you see any reason why their attitude and leadership would be significantly different this year compared to last year? Or the year before? Or the year before that etc?
Seano
Roar Rookie
Ok I’m back, needed a break after the Richmond GF win. Anyway port will get smacked by the suns round 1, should be fun!
TomC
Roar Guru
They were frustratingly inconsistent in 2019, but I believe they're good enough for top four. I don't put much stock in the significance of their 150th anniversary, but I think the writer is correct that the difference between Brisbane and Port Adelaide last year had something to do with attitude and leadership. I don't see a big difference in list quality between those two teams.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Port aren't even the oldest football club in South Australia! Look up Modbury and Tea Tree Gully who played each other in 1862!