After a despondent Port Adelaide lost a preliminary final to Richmond in 2020, they have largely been overlooked in their 2021 campaign to bigger sides such as Melbourne, Geelong and the Bulldogs.
While it is true that Chris Scott and Patrick Dangerfield both deserve a premiership for overseeing all their club’s time at the pointy end of the ladder, it’s been Port that have been equally solid over the last few seasons.
Clubs such as Melbourne and the Dogs have had seasons where they can jump up the ladder at random times, but can be very inconsistent at other times with losses to bottom-end clubs such as Collingwood and Hawthorn.
But it’s been Port that have beaten all these sides by comfortable margins.
Let’s take a look at their team. They have the perfect mix of older, experienced players like Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Darcy Byrne-Jones, and Ollie Wines.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
But then again, they possess some of the best young guns in the AFL with the likes of Xavier Duursma, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Miles Bergman and Mitch Georgiades.
These players sit comfortably inside their best 22, and they’re probably going to become big stars of the competition in the future.
All the last-quarter goals against the Bulldogs came from dominant centre clearances where one of these players such as Rozee or Bergman were continually driving the ball to a determined forward line consisting of stars such as Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and Steven Motlop.
And that’s how they win games.
Their second halves are the main reason they can resurrect their games. The first half of the game on Friday night completely belonged to the Bulldogs.
Port couldn’t generate anything out of the middle, and Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli were running rampage at centre half forward.
But they couldn’t put Port away just yet. That one goal in the second half from Rozee making a contest was all Port needed.
That was the spark that ignited a flow of Port Adelaide goals. Rozee’s goal was late in the second quarter, and Port went into halftime with all the momentum.
They used it for a surge of three goals early in the third, and then it was really game on. This is how the Power have been playing this year.
They concede early goals, and then fight their way back every single time. That is how they never lose easy matches like other teams do.
That is always their game plan, and that’s how they intend to keep it.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Getting hold of a pie sellers uniform was my favourite
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I saw AC/DC the same way :laughing:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I’ve seen a few GFs as a younger bloke without tickets Cozzy. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Cozzy
Roar Rookie
I will be harassing (and possibly begging) everyone and anyone to get my hands on a GF ticket if the GF is in Perth, especially if Port are in it :silly: .
Aaron Paul
Roar Rookie
I kind of got the feeling that alot of this year was a richmond style system plan, where they didnt go too hard, teams didnt hunt them as hard, and there was less pressure on them
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
1 win 4 losses since the new stadium, at.the other 2 grounds we're exactly 50/50
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Apparently when Brisbane were having a shot on goal the time didnt move and then they got a free kick and the time still didn't move. I know it use to be that there would be a time keeper from both teams and they both have to push a button for time on time off to work, so sounds like somebody was distracted watching the play and forgot to push the button. Not sure if Rona may of changed how that works or not but pretty sure thats defs how it use to work.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I was talking bout the prelim
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The GF will be in Perth
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Them. Umpires and weather people seem to be the only ones not held accountable for their jobs.lol. :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Dab all Port need to do is win the following two games at home that won’t get taken off them if they keep winning as for your lads you won’t have that luxury I could be wrong?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It sure does help your lads but in regards to the dogs well you know my views on that hideous stadium! Your extremely lucky be thankful you can still play on a oval that’s not artificial! All the best next week :thumbup:
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Home ground advantage isn't a big thing Post Covid, but every little bit helps
dab
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure what the AFL result engineers have in mind for Port. It will probably become obvious next week, given they have already jumped the shark with the Brisbane/Eagles and Melb/Geelong games.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
This is your perfect opportunity to make prelim another HOme FiNal & a GF appearance good luck
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
If we win it will be at AO
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Cool article, but Port are actually a bigger team than all three of the teams mentioned. Not sure where this idea comes from that we're a small team. Anyways, go Power! Glad we're playing Geelong not Brisbane or the D's first up, going to be a hard finals series, but I think we're as ready as anyone.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Think we played fremantle twice in adelaide and once in the Hub the last few years,westcoast got us last time and we won the previous one over there,so haven't played there alot lately
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
If they do play at Optus it will be a neutral venue. And they have a home qualifying in Adelaide.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yep it’s a multi million dollar business it shouldn’t be run by individuals second guessing when to press the off button! Look if he came out & said listen l ate two dim sims & a can of coke & had to rush to the toilet well fair enough excuse but cmon man own up to a huge mistake just imagine Adam it’s A GF & a mistake of that magnitude occurred with a goal either way leading to the team losing the game! Wow if the AFL had BaL.s they would reverse that huge mistake & give the dogs the top 4 spot!