Preview Changes vs Bombers + Preview

[Ralph Lorenz]

Heap of skill errors in the Fremantle v Essendon game. Freo haven't been able to put them away but had enough chances. Essendon forward line pretty much non existent and lost it out the middle more often than not.

Essendon are coming off the bye though and Freo had their run up last week in a similar fashion. It'd be a reasonable excuse for a loss given how others have come back from the bye but if Essendon play anything like this i'd be disappointed to lose to them. Zerk Thatcher might miss with concussion too.

 

[Sewer de Lance]

Nearly every team has lost following their scheduled bye. It would seem teams just aren’t mentally switched on to play at their expected level. For that reason alone, I expect the Bombers to unfortunately roll us next week.

The AFL need to drop this rotating bye nonsense ASAP.

 

[Steve Dore]

Heap of skill errors in the Fremantle v Essendon game. Freo haven't been able to put them away ...

Freo won by 32 points.

 

[The Hobo]

He's not wrong though. It's not Aliir, and I guess Bergman was playing the third tall against Geelong, so it's not him. If you had to choose another player in our defence (which is undermanned even by our own admission) who would it be?

It's common knowledge we're a key defender and a reliable ruckman away from a confidently contending team.

I've found David King to be a voice of reason this year with his analysis. He's one of the few posing the question regarding who is actually coaching our side. King and Dermott are the only ones in the Vic media who seem to see through the veil, it's bizarre.

Yup, ppl getting overly defensive about his call.

I think he's carrying an injury though, something a bit off

 

[Del165198]

I know I already said this against Geelong but can we win this one pls? We can't keep winning forever and will drop one eventually, but I'd rather it not be against these flogs. Also, win a game on the MCG farken

 

[dirty2]

When I played I hated having a bye.. always felt I lost a bit of edge/form/fitness? I would rather just keep playing

 

[Ralph Lorenz]

Freo won by 32 points.

Game should've been over in the 3rd qrt. A quality side would've iced the game long before Freo did was my point.

 

[gbear]

I know I already said this against Geelong but can we win this one pls? We can't keep winning forever and will drop one eventually, but I'd rather it not be against these flogs. Also, win a game on the MCG farken

We beat Richmond on the MCG a few weeks back, but yes it would be great to win another game at the MCG before finals.

 

[rogerjames]

A “weak link” is not necessarily bad. It just means it’s supposed to be worse than the alternatives.

I agree, King is pointing this out & he's correct to an extent. McKenzie is vulnerable to pace & lacks height but he is a very good footballer if fit. Smart, tough, beaut kick, great spoiler, reads the play well & total team man. His vulnerability was clearly on display in Q1 against the Cats but he found a way to stop him in the remaining quarters. Always been a big fan.

 

[dirty2]

I agree, King is pointing this out & he's correct to an extent. McKenzie is vulnerable to pace & lacks height but he is a very good footballer if fit. Smart, tough, beaut kick, great spoiler, reads the play well & total team man. His vulnerability was clearly on display in Q1 against the Cats but he found a way to stop him in the remaining quarters. Always been a big fan.

McKenzie is quite quick (or maybe once was).. Doesn't have the agility needed for some players.

 

[davesnothere]

I know I already said this against Geelong but can we win this one pls? We can't keep winning forever and will drop one eventually, but I'd rather it not be against these flogs. Also, win a game on the MCG farken

We do not have to lose a game.

Every game won is history and irrelevant to the next game. We just need to win the next game.

 

[afl2004]

 

[Power Raid]

He's not wrong though. It's not Aliir, and I guess Bergman was playing the third tall against Geelong, so it's not him. If you had to choose another player in our defence (which is undermanned even by our own admission) who would it be?

It's common knowledge we're a key defender and a reliable ruckman away from a confidently contending team.

I've found David King to be a voice of reason this year with his analysis. He's one of the few posing the question regarding who is actually coaching our side. King and Dermott are the only ones in the Vic media who seem to see through the veil, it's bizarre.

100%

McKenzie has been brilliant in the role demanded of him, but we would be a better side with a Wakelin type as full back and McKenzie playing a role down back.

Same said with Lycett, he serves the club to the best of his abilities but we would be a better side with a brogan, Lade, Primus or ryder.


It is what it is though and having these guys fit and firing in September is a must. As the next best is a reasonable drop.

 

[davesnothere]

View attachment 1722451

Draper was the concern. The Bombers have to get on top of our midfield and it's going to be tough without Draper.

 

[Buget]

Draper was the concern. The Bombers have to get on top of our midfield and it's going to be tough without Draper.

Like what they did in the first half of round 8. Port were 9 goals to 5 down.

But Port also played Teakle in that game…. And Lycett was in decent form before the bye

If Essendon get on a run, it will be hard to stop away from home.

 

[rignanv]

I don't think any team coming off the bye has won against a team that played the previous week so it will be a great win if we get the chocolates

 

[Chewy316]

Not easy going on the road off a bye against a top 8 side at a ground Port have not always been strong at.

That being said, Saturday night is another must win game.

 

[Jojay]

 

[Ralph Lorenz]

That being said, Saturday night is another must win game.

If we had to drop one game out of Essendon (away), Adelaide (AO) or Collingwood (AO), I'd choose Essendon after coming off a bye. I think it's less of a must win than others. I'd also prefer not to have a 15 or 16 game winning streak heading into the crows or Collingwood game. We've never done well with those mental gymnastics.

If we win this weekend, I think it says more about Essendon than us tbh.

 

[Ports1870]

As much as we probably are due for a loss and can probably afford one, I’d rate this as one of our most important games in the back half of the season, solely due to the fact that it’s our last game at the G in the H&A season.
Don’t really want to be going into finals with a 1-2 record at the G.

 

[gbear]

As much as we probably are due for a loss and can probably afford one, I’d rate this as one of our most important games in the back half of the season, solely due to the fact that it’s our last game at the G in the H&A season.
Don’t really want to be going into finals with a 1-2 record at the G.

I agree. Important that Port get plenty of opportunity to play through the corridor on the MCG on Saturday night. NXT Tim Pot play on the G willl hopefully be on September 30th on Kenny’s birthday and all!

 

[JUSTWORK]

Those two wins came in games where both sides had the bye the week earlier. In games where the side coming off the bye is playing against a team who played the week earlier the side coming off the bye has lost every game.

Makes this game a big test and definitely a danger game.

 

[Coobk001]

The most important part of this game is probably the fact it's a great opportunity to build some form at the MCG. Would be nice to finally see us play a good game there.

 

[raptalia]

I am not sure why there is so much debate about McKenzie. It would be nice to have another 195cm defender but we have to go with what we have and the choice is between McKenzie, Jonas and Clurey. As Clurey is still injured I will take McKenzie over Jonas. If we were outside of the eight I could see some value in experimenting but we have a good shot at a top four finish so best to stick with experience.

That said, Jonas had a reasonable game against Norwood so we could see McKenzie and Jonas in the side. It would not be my choice but Ken has a soft spot for the Captain.

 

[raptalia]

Draper was the concern. The Bombers have to get on top of our midfield and it's going to be tough without Draper.

According to the AFL Injury List the Bombers also have Dylan Shiel and Will Setterfield out. These players average 21 possessions each in the Bomber midfield.