Port v Freo

[El_Scorcho]

Is Impey a likely inclusion? Would think you'll need someone who can shut down small pacey forwards especially with Walters added to the mix. He completely blanketed Ballas as you say and would surely be a better match up than say Jasper Pittard.

I would hope we bring Impey in. We targeted him in the draft purely because apart from Jonas we didn't have anyone who could play a small defensive shutdown role.

I'm pretty sure Impey has just been rested late in this season and will be back in. If not we're looking at a combination of Pittard and O'Shea for one of Walters and Ballantyne which isn't a good match up for us.

 

[El_Scorcho]

Sneak into 4th? We have been in the top 4 for most of 2014 and at the end of round 22, are still in the top 4.

Geelong will be a training run for Hawthorn in the qualifying final. You'll then face a tough game against North Melbourne or Essendon.

I'll give it to Geelong, they are good at finding a way to win in close games, but bar knocking Freo off at KP when Freo were down, they haven't had an impressive win since Hawthorn in round 5.

Maybe against North a few weeks ago, but North are up and down.

 

[LongBomb]

Sneak into 4th? We have been in the top 4 for most of 2014 and at the end of round 22, are still in the top 4.

Lose to an in form Port and freo will be shunted down to 5th.
A distinct possibility and about the right spot for a patchy season.

 

[Spoken4]

Lose to an in form Port and freo will be shunted down to 5th.
A distinct possibility and about the right spot for a patchy season.

Sorry, Geelong is the very definition of patchy. Two convincing wins this year against quality sides (round 5 and round 19). That's it.

 

[Freeeoo]

Lose to an in form Port and freo will be shunted down to 5th.
A distinct possibility and about the right spot for a patchy season.

If that means we get to play the Cats, I'll take it.

 

[passmark]

Looking forward to this game.

Both these teams would probably be a bit dirty on themselves for allowing themselves to be in the position where they have to win the last game to finish top 4. They both are good enough to play top 4 footy.

This is easily the best top final 5 line-up that I can remember. All quality sides, all very watchable, all playing accountable, hard running football with a strong defensive element.

Could be the best finals series ever.

(that doesn't have Carlton as a flag poss)

 

[Square Peg]

Yep Port have everything going for them this game, they should win comfortably. They are back to May champions form, have timed their run to perfection, everyone on the list healthy, 8 day vs 6 day break. No team that is a serious finals contender should lose from their position.

 

[BigVic]

Port by less than a kick. Freo vs West Coast in an elimination Derby Final or Richmond, Collingwood or Adelaide possible in week 1 of the Finals.

 

[clogged]

Also for watching

Freo have scored more points than Geelong this year.

 

[holy diver]

Should be a few teal squeals when Freo' locks up top 4.

 

[PowerForGood]

Both these teams would probably be a bit dirty on themselves for allowing themselves to be in the position where they have to win the last game to finish top 4. They both are good enough to play top 4 footy.

If you look at it in a weird sort of way, we actually are starting finals a week early with a top 5 double chance.

The winner of Port and Freo get to keep their double chance, the loser uses up their lifeline and is dropped into sudden death finals footy next week.

 

[Spoken4]

Ports advantage with 8 day vs 6 day break, Freo with home ground advantage. Hopefully both teams can bandage up and put their best available 22 forward - and this will be a great match.

But with Fyfe's ban and a possibility of no Pav, Barlow, McPharlin, Mzungu (Injured last minute, may just be cramp?) or Spurr (subbed out and iced up quad), well, Port will have a distinct advantage.

Port fans, if you do win this, I hope that it shows a return to the form of the first half of the season, that was amazing. But if Freo do get over the line, we might just be peaking at the right time.

What are you on about?

Pav is not injured. One player was going to get rested after the Port result against Carlton and it was always going to be Pav. McPharlin has been out of the side most of the year and Silvagni has been rock solid, particularly last week against Hawthorn (held Gunston to 1 goal). Mzungu had cramp at the end of the game. Ross said Spurr was fine. Very confident that Barlow will play.

Only player missing is Fyfe.

 

[yakka man]

Freo have scored more points than Geelong this year.

I'm sure he will be able to come up with a reason for that.

 

[SA HAWK]

If Fyfe & barlow were playing i would be pretty confident that Freo will win but they are massive outs.

50/50 game imo.

 

[port_adelaide_1870]

One thing is for sure, whoever wins this game I hope goes to Sydney and absolutely destroys them.

 

[petermc]

Little rossy wrote the book on losing grand finals. Can't ever see this changing TBH.

I don't write on forums much but the long history of Geelong misses form the 60's to the 2000's should create empathy with freo "just sayin". By the way went to Geelong last years final and want to say thanks to the great reception b4 and aft got from cats fan.

 

[Young Gun #6]

If that means we get to play the Cats, I'll take it.

Nope it means you will play Port again, but at Adelaide Oval, or Sydney at ANZ.

 

[petermc]

Port had a terrible run over a 6 week period when they only won the 1 game. And for the most part, they were playing well under the standard that is needed for finals, there's no doubt about that. However, go back and analyse the results:... worthy of obtaining 4th spot (and the double chance) on the ladder.

great post

 

[Darcy 2 Fyfe]

If Port win by 1 point I think Freo will stay 4th. Can the maths boffins give us some help?

 

[Quokka]

Nope they're ahead on percentage even if by less than 1%, we'd need to lose AND gain % to stay ahead with Port winning.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

If Port win by 1 point I think Freo will stay 4th. Can the maths boffins give us some help?

only if we score something low like 29 points and them 30 points.

 

[Quokka]

Wouldn't that still get Port 131.89 Freo 131.16 (wasn't sure which way its rounded).

 

[ep2018]

Both teams likely to meet again in the second week of finals, I think it will be at Subi

 

[imperial_oz]

If Port win by 1 point I think Freo will stay 4th. Can the maths boffins give us some help?

No. Port have a slightly higher percentage. If they win, the go 4th. If they dont, we go 8 points clear which would basically be academic.

Winner gets 4th spot.

 

[Spoken4]

Both teams likely to meet again in the second week of finals, I think it will be at Subi

We have a break that week, waiting for the winner of Sydney and Port Adelaide to come over to Perth for a prelim in week 3