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I should add i really hope we have a plan if Neale is struggling to break a heavy tag. He seems to be left on his own and i really don't get it given how crucial he is for us. Drew will wear him like a glove i thinkSUB - should be Fort in my view. Port have an extra tall compared to us. If Oscar goes down it would be a disaster having Lycett back. Honestly no idea what we would actually do. If we are getting beaten in the middle in this game i don't think Lyons would help that much - Port's weapon in there being speed
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER - DUNKLEY - He has been a bit down on output recently. Break might have helped him freshen up as he does a lot of grunt work. He will be pivotal in making sure above all else Port don't get the easy centre clearances they got in round 1. If he can grab 5 clearances of his own in the process that would be great.
PLAYER I HOPE HAD HEALING CRYSTALS - JACK PAYNE - he was just phenomenal earlier in the season. Looked increasingly hobbled by the ankle. Did he just look a little bit better against the saints or was i imagining that? Suspect he will get Marshall who is a smooth-mover and good on the lead, and their best kick at goal. So it's crucial Payne is good to go. If we win him playing 1 game since round 24 should really have him primed for the last 2 weeks
THE PLAYER WE NEED AN ACTUAL PLAN FOR - ALIIR ALIIR - Midfield battle is what it is. But figuring out a plan for Aliir, and pulling it off, would mean we should be kicking a score. It's all the more important given we are down to 2 talls. Aliir loves freedom to fly for his marks. Agree with some others that we need someone really bodying him so he can't do that in an ideal world, although i am not sure who. Rayner? I want him free to attack and create. Maybe Hippy can defy his body shape and do a bit of it. If Aliir goes to Hipwood i'd be telling him to try to drag him up the ground a bit, then sprint back and get free out the back. Has the tank and pace to do it.
WILL BE A GOOD NIGHT IF - we get a good start. I really think confidence could flow from that and Port could be intimidated by a big one sided crowd
WILL BE A BAD NIGHT IF - Port are getting clean clearances. No side can defend that. Also wary of the kicking pandemic that spread through the team last week - the groans once we started missing. Very infectious!
Feeling confident ish now, but no doubt by the time the game starts i will having a bit of an insurance bet on port ha