The Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide Football Club are the 2020 AFL premiership favourites.
First and second on the ladder at the start of Round 8, both clubs appear primed for a premiership tilt.
This is a new phenomenon for one of the duo.
Port have a tendency to tease yet fail to deliver. They’re often too inconsistent, too dormant, too lacklustre when it matters. Ken Hinkley has been a proverbial punching bag atop an underperforming side.
Hinkley’s position had become so dubious that both the president and the chairman of Port were forced to make public statements supporting their man, and for good reason. Port’s biggest rivals, the Adelaide Crows, had seen their coach unceremoniously sacked. It rapidly appeared that Port was heading the same direction.
That criticism was on point. Under Hinkley’s reign, the Power have made finals just three times. Hawthorn, Geelong and the Eagles – two of whom have won premierships since Hinkley began coaching – had halted their runs.
Port – when not in finals – made a habit of coming tantalisingly close. Ninth, tenth, tenth and tenth were their finishing positions in the four seasons they missed out. Last year, the Power lost six of the eleven games after the bye to blow a chance at finals.
Despite the disappointing results under Hinkley, Alberton kept up a facade of optimism. Said Power CEO Keith Thomas last August, “…there are a lot of things we can point to that we are positioning ourselves well for finals success over the next few years”.
Thomas is on track to being proven correct.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The Lions have been in this position before. Last year, the Queenslanders were a consistent top-four threat, eventually placing second. That was all she wrote for them though, as they flopped in the finals.
Both of these teams are playing at home this weekend, against teams in form. Port face St Kilda – a side quickly becoming a thorn in the side of contenders this year. Brisbane face the Demons at the Gabba.
These are otherwise routine games they must win. If either unexpectedly loses, expect doubts to arise about the pedigree of their premiership hopes. Port, in particular, will lose their one-game buffer at the top of the ladder, a buffer that has secured them top spot since March.
Hinkley’s side additionally has to combat their tendency to drop games they should otherwise win. Their upset loss to North Melbourne in Round 22 last year – which ensured finals would remain out of their grasp – is an example of such complacency.
Brisbane and Port share the top eight with other strong contenders – Richmond, Collingwood, West Coast, the Bulldogs and Geelong – though none are yet to stamp themselves as genuine premiership threats.
Port and Brisbane have played just one of the other sides: West Coast (they both defeated the West Australians).
This weekend is the final chance for the duo to bank wins against lower-ranked teams. Their opponents in the packed upcoming weeks on the fixture include several of those top-eight sides. Port face the Cats, the Tigers and the Dogs. Brisbane meet the latter two, and also have a game against Essendon.
Any doubts Port and the Lions’ premiership viability will either be reaffirmed or dispelled in this stretch.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic stands to benefit both teams.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The Power’s record in the Queensland hub was the strongest of any visiting team. They’re expected to remain in Adelaide, bar two games in Queensland, for an extended period of time. This will gift them a considerable home ground advantage.
Brisbane are not as good interstate this year – they’ve only won one of three games they’ve played outside Queensland – but have won every game within their borders. Like Port, they have an extended run of home-state clashes coming up.
Injuries may yet play a part. For the Lions, Thursday’s devastating news that first-choice ruckman Stefan Martin will miss at least two months is a significant blow. His replacement, Archie Smith, suddenly finds himself in the role of providing good service to the Lions’ mercurial midfield unit.
The South Australians, in contrast, have been fortunate to be largely unscathed by injury this season. They’re among the least afflicted teams when it comes to injury and are the healthiest contender.
Ken Hinkley and Chris Fagan have to navigate this weekend’s clashes to solidify their squad’s premiership credentials because Port and Brisbane have competitors to this claim.
But none have had early form-line that both Port and Brisbane share.
None – with the exception of the Eagles – have the inherent advantages of being at home for much of the rest of the season.
None currently have Port’s striking advantage on top of the ladder, with a percentage that dwarfs their opponents.
Port Adelaide and Brisbane are far from guaranteed premiers. But the seeds have successfully been planted for both clubs to seize advantage of the competition.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure if I'm super worried just yet, but there's a few big concerns need to be looked at. It could just be that the Saints were brilliant, and they were, not many teams will kick like that ever again and they knew they couldnt miss, it's like that some days, you just keep laying golden eggs. I guess we'll see next week. As per your prev post, not to sure GWS, GC the Eagles or even Carlton would be really happy to see us come finals time and I'd suspect we'll be seeing two of the come September. Love your nickname btw, hilarious
Cone of Silence
Roar Rookie
One week makes a big difference, Brendan. No issue with the actual result, the Saints played well, clearly had ruck ascendency and set an AFL / VFL record for accuracy. What would be concerning is the last quarter capitulation. With the game on the line, you’d expect Port to storm in with strong crowd support at home against a side that didn’t perform all that well against the bottom side the week before (and an abysmal record in Adelaide). Instead, the opposite happened, and Port couldn’t get the ball inside attacking 50 at all. Worrying signs, I think.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
13th Man
Roar Rookie
No, your comment was a dig at WA teams and the fact that we have a good run of home games. If you want to compare Brisbane to Frem and WCE. Brisbane will pretty much play the whole season from their home state. Regardless of the fact that they have a few games an hour down the road at Metricon, you can't possibly say that WA teams have been more advantaged than Bris or GC.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Look Pablo, you don’t seem real bright, so reading between the lines probably isn’t your go, put simply, his post was a shot at me for my perceived bias against the mighty Tigers, exactly the same as your silly little troll on the port thread, if you can’t see that then I’m not sure how any reasonable human being can have an actual sporting debate with you, and from here on in I won’t bother. Go and have a chat with Realist, big four sticks and Duckworth above, keep to your little Richmomd circle, that suits me, you can all have a nice little convo about how the world owes you something and I’ll continue to talk to the people I have time for on here, simples. Jog on son, back under your bridge.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
13th, this is tedious. My comment was comparing the current away games of Brisbane and Freo and WC. Everything you are making up.
Marty
Roar Rookie
I think last nights game summed up perfectly why PA are not winning any flags with this group of senior players. When the pressure was on and the game there to be won they went missing, as is so often the case. Too many basic skills errors and finger pointing, an improving side during a home and away game applied some pressure and they basically gave up. Premiership contenders? Please.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
It may well be, but you complaining that WA teams get more games at home this season, due to WA doing a far better job with Covid, is also whinging.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
You must be a wizard
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Now that is whinging. :thumbup:
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Never seen you state the fact that in most normal seasons, Victorian teams gain a huge advantage over their non Victorian rivals by playing a lot more games in there home state. So what WA teams and SA teams will play mostly at home for the rest of the season. One year is barely anything compared to the advantages afforded to Vic teams most years.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
So? Does that give you the right to assume he was complaining about travel? Nup. Poor response, Brendan.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Judging the validity of your argument on the number of likes is tenuous at best. And sad. Sign of the times I guess. Can I then assume I'm right because the moderators, presumably South Australians, won't accept my posts in reply to you because they know I'm right? And I'm not associating with anyone, just calling out a really poor post.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
And . . . ? Still didn't mention Richmond travelling.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Not a word was said about Richmond travelling. The content of the post didn't mention it all. Basing your arguments on 'likes' is pretty sad, really. But whatevs, it seems you can read minds and extrapolate any way that suits. More power to you, you'll always be right that way. Who has the poorer attitude?
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Obviously. You assumed a lot from the very little put forward. No mention of travel whatsoever! Your rant was merely more unsubstantiated criticism.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
The point is mate, he made no reference to any team travelling! None whatsoever. Your rant was misdirected and uncalled for. 'If so many agree with it . . .' Geez, are you serious? No surprise most of 'em are WA and SA fans duly affected by their own biases. The comment was harmless, your extrapolation way over the top.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Also, D-Lewis is a Richmond fan, I know this because I’ve been on this site for the last 5 years.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
What, cause Richmond have to travel we should call the season off? Give me a break. The only thing worse than a poor loser is a poor winner. If so many agree with It, why then does my post have many likes and his has none? I'm just sick of hearing CERTAIN, not all Richmond's fans rubbish, I'm calling them out when I see it in the hope it goes away, let me make this clear, the fact that they're Richmond fans has absolutely nothing to do with it, it's the content of their post I have a problem with. You wanna associate yourself with comments like that just because you happen to support the same team then all power to ya mate. Me, I'll call a Port fan out if he's being a you know what.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Can actually see both Port and Brisbane going out in straight sets come finals when subjected to the amped up pressure that comes with finals footy.