Port looks like a well-oiled team at the moment and for the first time since 2007 they are on top of the ladder, but are they really that good?
These are three reasons why Port are not premiership contenders.
Reason 1: Easy draw
Port have only played three teams who were a part of the finals last year and the other teams they have played are middle-of-the-runs or bottom-table teams. Also, they played against West Coast at Gold Coast which suits Port perfectly because playing in Perth is the hardest trip in the league and West Coast is not embracing hub life.
Also, both GWS and West Coast have been lazy and are not at their best while Port are peaking too early. Look at Richmond’s 2018 season if you need to reference a side peaking early and being unable go all the way.
Also, the other games they have played were easy wins against bottom-ranked sides and a lucky win against Carlton. Also, I question if they are premiership contenders why did they lose to Brisbane even though it was at the Gabba? Port dominated the match early with leading the inside 50s in the first quarter but after that were outplayed.
Their so-called young guns were nowhere to be seen as Connor Rozee and Zak Butters were shut down. Moreover, it seems that they could not stop Lachie Neale or Hugh McCluggage, who killed them around the ball and killed them in the contest with over 60 touches between them while some of the so-called top Port players like Travis Boak and Robbie Gray only had 37 touches between them.
Port also was horrible in front of goal and were the same in their previous match, where they should have kicked four goals in four minutes against Carlton. If this happens against Collingwood, Richmond or Geelong they will be punished and more then likely will be blown out of the water.
Reason 2: They got lucky against the Blues on Sunday
In the last four minutes against Carlton on Sunday, they outplay the Blues but missed four shots right in front in the space of four minutes in the last quarter. Then Carlton moved the ball forward and David Cuningham, who was on the run, had a chance to seal it but couldn’t kick the goal as it was marked on the line by a Port defender.
If that happened against Richmond, Collingwood or any other contender they would have kicked the goal because they have the players to kick in the clutch moment. Carlton’s inexperience was shown in the last few moments in the game.
Carlton will be kicking themselves as by gaining territory they turned the ball over, then thumping out to the boundary line their stalls could not impact the kick out of defence. When Port had the ball they had the overlap and with the Carlton defence out of whack they were able to find Robbie Gray.
Gray was having a quiet game until kicking the match-winner, he had no impact until that moment with only 16 touches. So if you ask me they have gotten lucky especially against Carlton and if you need a recap, watch the last four minutes to see what I am talking about.
(Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Reason 3: False hope
We have seen this before when Fremantle was the best team in the regular season in 2015, but couldn’t become premieres due to a horrible injury to Nat Fyfe in the preliminary final and the fact they were playing against one of best sides in the modern era. Moreover, Port has shown this before winning early but then fading out like last season.
If you have seen last season, they were in finals contention at the bye being six wins and five loses but then lost three in a row after the bye, so I think that should prove they have played nobody until they play the premiers in Richmond, Collingwood and Geelong who will test them and more likely shut down the likes of Charlie Dixion and Gray. And if Brisbane could dominate against a so-called elite midfield, then it would not be a surprise that Port will drop games and fall back to the pack.
Their next five games are key to Port’s season and being finals contender. If they do beat Richmond, then they are true premiership contenders but if they lose to Geelong or Richmond then you can cross a line through them. What are your thoughts footy fans? Are Port the real deal or not?
DarwinDee
Guest
Port are one of my "just wait" teams, as are Geelong. I see Port at the top of the ladder and just think good for them - come see me week one of finals if your still there, much like Geelong can spend the entire season on top of the ladder but will they still be in the game come 1/4 time of their first final? Probably not.
Cone of Silence
Roar Rookie
If that last performance was any indication, most teams would LOVE to see Port in September. Port were playing at home with a rabid supporter base against a Saints team coming off a torrid, unconvincing win the previous week against the bottom side .... and Port just surrendered meekly in the last quarter when the game was on the line, with barely any forward 50 entries to Port’s name. I actually quite like Port as a side, so I have no agenda here, but that was NOT the performance of a top 8 team, let alone premiership contender.
Cone of Silence
Roar Rookie
You’d be looking for the return of the tissue box after this week’s performance by Port, I reckon. That last quarter was awful - Port could not have had any more than 5 or 6 inside 50’s.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
Not sure of the logic that says Carlton missing their chance at a goal meant Port got lucky when you state that they outplayed Carlton in the last 4 minutes. They had five attempts on goal. They only needed one of them to win, (or 2 if Cuningham had got his). They were the better team when it mattered.
Pelican
Roar Rookie
False hope? Is that even a reason that makes sense. If you want to be a journo you need better arguments than these. Luck? Come on. What about mentioning coaching or game style or list. Something relevant as a reason not wishy washy concepts like luck and the draw and hope.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
does sound like it Peter, didnt watch the game so hard for me to comment, but port flying up on the morning of gameday also while carlton was up there waiting for us and also a couple players down late in the game would suggest a very good win against a very good side
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
now that is comedy gold :laughing:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Adelaide are a joke and a long way from a successful rebuild. Their recruiting was diabolical even when they got a decent look at what's around and draft is a massive lottery this year. Not going to be so easy to find the next Rowell Lukosius or Rankine! Nobody wants to stay there and absolutely nobody wants to go there. Their "stars" have only moderate trade value at best. What club really wants to pay top dollar to see the Crouch brothers get rubbish touches? Is tex worth ANYTHING on the open market? LONG LONG LONG way back for Adelaide
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Only one side out of 18 can actually win a premiership and that takes a good team, a good coach, minimal injuries and a fair whack of luck. But considering that Port have won and won well away from home, and their only loss was to a red hot Brisbane side, they have to rate as contenders right now. As for the WCE game, it was a neutral venue with both teams in a hub. You could just as easily have argued they were unlucky not to play them in Adelaide. So to sum up I think you are being unfair to them at present. If you win games, sit on top of the ladder and give yourself a chance, you are a contender, particularly if your only loss came the team who are second at their home ground. PS I'm not a Port fan
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
The fact that they created those opportunities is what tells, you get enough decent looks at it things normally happen
The Dosh
Roar Rookie
The SA Government said no to a hub more than a month ago.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
That total ban has been in place for less than 1 week. Prior to that it was 14 days iso (and the St Kilda visits show that the 14 days doesn't have to be spent in SA)! An SA hub simply doesn't suit the AFL!
Boo
Guest
Pedro , there should be a hub in SA .I am aware games are there but the landscape with this virus keeps changing so can't see any government changing that come finals .
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Oh wait, no we won't
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Turns out he is a crows supporter after all.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Love your work Paul, I couldn't even be bothered to respond to this article with facts but you've said it perfectly.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
This is the same author that just published a lengthy tome on how to rebuild the Adelaide Crows - now launching into a bitter rant into the crosstown rivals. I don't think we need to look far for the motivation on this one. I don't know about Port's chances, but reason #1 why they are a contender is that they're in 1st place with a percentage of 153, and the reason why Adelaide aren't is that they are in last place with a percentage of 55, which is Carlton/Bolton territory. Which I know is obvious, but it doesn't make it any less funny. Port at least don't go round overstating their abilities, most Port fans are dreading the next few weeks expecting the floor to fall out from under them. Adelaide fans are already focused on october and bragging about how Gibbs and Crouch are going to gift them a host of top ten picks, when the reality is a 5th rounder and 2nd round compo. So you keep fostering delusions of grandeur down there to distract from the crosstown rivals having a September tilt
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Patrick is clearly not a Port Adelaide fan. Such a salty article. Facts are Port Adelaide are Ladder Leaders having only lost one game against the side coming second on their home ground and have the Best percentage in the AFL. It's expected 10 games qualifies you for finals. So with 6 wins, there would have to be some serious bad luck for them to miss out from here. Premiership contenders- I actually don't think there is an absolute outstanding premiership contender. All side have had their question marks throughout the season, so on this alone you have to include them in the premiership consideration. Lastly, you can only beat what's in front of you. Port Adelaide are doing this. You mention they got lucky against Carlton, one could argue that they should of beaten Carlton by more with the chances they had?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I thought I was reading an article by Graham Cornes for a minute there.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Any chance that the editors/moderators could run a spell check over published articles? Rozee not Rosse and Neale not Neal. Some leeway is OK but not when spelling player's names!