Port Adelaide have copped a fair bit of criticism this year for their inability to win games against teams above them on the ladder but they still find themselves sitting in fourth position.
While this has been due to teams around them not getting the job done against the teams you’d expect them too, Port are definitely a more consistent team than what they have been in previous years – and if you’re going to lose, I’d rather be losing to contenders than to teams below you on the ladder.
In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Port were consistent at being inconsistent and winning the games they weren’t supposed to but then mentally dropping off and losing the games we were meant to win.
Call it blind faith but I’m hoping that’s a sign of maturity over the last two years.
Port is lacking a player or two in the midfield and maybe even one extra taller bigger back man. It looks as if Ken Hinkley may have finally succumbed to playing Jarrod Lienert in front of Tom Clurey, whereas in the past Lienert was the one to pay the price and been dropped, despite not actually playing a bad game from what I remember.
Whether this is enough against the likes of Geelong, Bulldogs, Melbourne or Brisbane at full strength is yet to be seen.
We definitely need one extra high-end midfielder who can win his own ball and play on the outside but between Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma hopefully coming back, the two combined could be at least the equivalent of that one extra midfielder that can do both.
Another wild card could be Tom Rockcliff. At his best, Rocky is a pig and his experience is a big plus. The questions are whether he gets back into the SANFL, as he’s planning to in Round 22, and whether he brings enough flexibility or would he, Ollie Wines and Travis Boak be too much of the same?
On the positive side of things, Rocky could take some of the pressure off of Ollie and Boak, as both seem to be doing most of the heavy lifting themselves.
Port Power’s brains trust. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Hamish Hartlett is an interesting one. In hindsight, Hinkley probably should have put him back to the Magpies a bit earlier – Hartlett himself earlier in the year said he was down on confidence but the coach kept him in the team, which I don’t think worked – but ‘Hammer’ now looks a lot better, has his confidence up again, plus his hardness at the ball is underestimated by a lot of people. He makes those around him stand taller and his on-field leadership is irreplaceable.
I’d rate Hartlett somewhere between Damien Hardwick and Luke Hodge as a player – he’s got the Hardwick hardness but can get more of it and use it a lot better when his confidence is up. Obviously he’s not at the level of Hodge as a player, but his leadership, hardness and ability to put his head over the ball and lift his teammates is probably at the same level of importance for Port as Hodge was for Hawthorn.
Last but not least, Butters has defied the odds and was somehow trying to press his case to play against the Saints on the weekend, so barring me jinxing the poor kid, if he gets through training this week, he could line up against Collingwood with Dursma and maybe Hartlett as well.
Nobody wants to use injuries as excuse and all teams have them but if you take into calculations the injuries Port have had to cover, the team has done a pretty good job so far.
With the above players, add Robbie Gray, Orazio Fantasia, Conner Rozee and Daniel Motlop to be ready before the start of finals and things may not be as bad as they seem.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
isn't that what i said to you. Dam your just like your club, can't come up with or think of anything for yourself. For somebody born in 72 you certainly don't act like it. Worst troll ever.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
ohhh whats up princess, why so bitter. If I've ever offended you, just know that from the bottom of my heart, I don't give a fcuk. :silly:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
no worse than the crap you come up with including the personal insults at players. Somebody certainly doe's have a complex issue don't they. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Hmmm pretty sure your the one that sounds like a flog. Anybody would think you got touched up as a child in Port Adelaide for the amount of hate you show or was ot not enough hugs as a child. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Really your going to bring up chokers? Why don't you give us a power stance while your at it. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Really we mean zero to you, for something that means zero to you, you certainly do seem to get rather upset ober the whole thing. Maybe you should go on a camp or something. I've heard they do great things for clubs. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Really he was actually joking about it last night. The inly one to get defensive around here seems to be you and your own issues. I've seen better comebacks from a 5yo.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
You sound like one of the biggest ferals on here, all name calling and complete bs with no actual facts. I love it. Keep going. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Maybe you need to check your history. Your really not very good at this are you. Nothing new happened when Port applied for a license Port , Norwood and other clubs had all inquired and looked into joining before 91, so there's your first mistake and second, well as quoted by Ross Oakly it was done in a very careful way as stated by Ross and that meetings they had were held in places they didn't think the media would think of them holding meetings, hotels were booked in different names but somebody did find out, that first somebody was Mike Sheahan who first reported it in the Melbourne Age. So for all the flack and ill-informed opinions Port cops for going against the Sanfl at the time, it seems to be that the AFL had just as much a part of it as we did.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Still even in his eyes its one club. Again such butthurt from one person, I'm sure they both struggle to sleep at night knowing a nobody has such a wonderful opinion of them.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
lmfao One Football Club 2 Football Licence's, again we know you know nothing about such things being the hybrid club that you are. Soon to be One Football Club with 3 Football Licences. Amazing how much of a chip on your shoulder you have about a team that hasn't nothing to do with the original Port Adelaide Magpies as you say. I love it, if you can get under somebodys skin that badly without even trying imagine what you could do if you did.lol. :laughing:
We eagerly anticipate another riveting piece by you - perhaps next time on how port stabbed the sanfl in the back! Or doesn’t that little piece of factual history suit your agenda??!
His numpty sons were unfortunate enough to play for the teal - the five minute fireman went in to have a great career - following true ball winning players around, hoping they didn’t get a kick. And Chud - bwahahaha - let’s just say, no one thinks much of that chop!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
And that would be Graham Cornes that quoted. “Coaches are able to get inside the Port Adelaide players heads because they’re motivated by the history of the club and the traditions of the club, if you dont lay it on the line for Port Adelaide if your a Port Adelaide player, it does mean alot more than if you play for the Crows and came from Melbourne or Perth”. Your first ever coach a legend of South Australian Football but i guess you know better right.?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
lmfao so no idea I guess then and well yes they do go to the SANFL web site and it'll come up as Port Adelaide Magpies but yes wait for it, somethings coming thats going to get your knickers all in a knot.???????? What and you don't think other clubs owe money or have had to borrow money before? Such hard hitting replies you have, is this your first time on the Net.? :laughing:
You know who said this one “port power are an insignificant, whinging, poor club who owe the AFL and sanfl millions of dollars but will never pay it back - they will just continue to have their hand out for more, forever and ever! Port magpies don’t exist!!!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Do you want to take a guess at whose quote this is.? "Coaches are able to get inside the Port Adelaide players heads because they're motivated by the history of the club and the traditions of the club, if you dont lay it on the line for Port Adelaide if your a Port Adelaide player, it does mean alot more than if you play for the Crows and came from Melbourne or Perth".
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Wow great comeback but what do expect from somebody from a club that even there legends don't feel welcome back at the club and don't think they recognise their history. No wonder history is such a hard concept for you to understand, you don't even recognise your own. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
No st sherlock, who ever said Afc didn't get theres first.? Even if they had to break out the tissues and take everybody to court for it. Like the spoilt kid that gets offered a toy but doesn't want it until somebody else wants it and then they hold there breath and stamp there feet until they get what they want. We may be Port Power to you but you'll always be The B@st@rd child of Port Adelaide to us. :laughing: :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Who said anything about getting on your knees? Is that natural for you is it. Each to there own i guess. :laughing: :laughing: