Or was it slammed shut for a few years after this years finals series?
Discuss.
Discuss.
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AFLW 2024 - Round 9 - Indigenous Round - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Port, window of opportunity still open?
- Thread starter Grendel
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Port will make the 8.
Far from a Premiership, though.
Far from a Premiership, though.
No longer in the same league as Brisbane. It sounds stupid, but one of PA's strengths was that they always had depth when injuries occurred. Half the reason why they finished on top... but, through list management, that depth had to be delisted or traded.
Will make eight, but won't finish in top four.
Will make eight, but won't finish in top four.
Are they brave enough to sack Williams before season 2004? 
They've got a shot, but like I said at the end of last season, you can't buy diciplined team intensity for the footy just by recruiting snipers like Pickett or Hardwick. That's Williams' phillosophy...instill hardness by recruiting supposedly tough players (which Hardwick is not).
He should have learnt his lesson by now and should be looking toward Roos, Malthouse and Matthews for inspiration in guiding his troops to play their best footy when it counts...in the trenches in September!
They have some very good talent coming through.
They've got a shot, but like I said at the end of last season, you can't buy diciplined team intensity for the footy just by recruiting snipers like Pickett or Hardwick. That's Williams' phillosophy...instill hardness by recruiting supposedly tough players (which Hardwick is not).
He should have learnt his lesson by now and should be looking toward Roos, Malthouse and Matthews for inspiration in guiding his troops to play their best footy when it counts...in the trenches in September!
They have some very good talent coming through.
Port will be about as good as last year. Whether they can win in September is the question. Their playing list is pretty similar to the one that topped the ladder the last two years. Brisbane will be extremely tough to beat and a few other teams would be expected to improve. Of last years finalists I think Collingwood, Sydney, West Coast and Fremantle have more improvement in their current lists with a question mark over Sydney’s ability to maintain what they showed last season. No one from outside the 8 will be better than Port in 2004 IMO and Essendon will struggle to match Port unless they have their big guns fit and firing. I am not sure Port will improve much but they have had a pretty high standard the last 2 years anyway. I'd give them 2 seasons with this list and then much depends on the younger players they have now making enough improvement to adequately replace the vets. Ebert looks promising and he and Salopek could provide a bit for Port over the coming years. Their ruck looks ok. They need some KP players to make a mark in the next year or two but then again who doesn’t.
I think Port will be definite top 4 and a GF possibility for the next 2 years. This time they’ll win their QF and play Collingwood in the GF. We’ll see who out chokes who. Just so long as I don't get stuck on a holiday with Choco when Port lose.
I think Port will be definite top 4 and a GF possibility for the next 2 years. This time they’ll win their QF and play Collingwood in the GF. We’ll see who out chokes who. Just so long as I don't get stuck on a holiday with Choco when Port lose.
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We should be OK for window of opportunity. Might be a brief lull for one of the next few season, but I wouldn't expect a major long-term fall for about five years or so.
Window is closed.
Wakelin, Bishop, Wanganeen, Hardwick, Montgomery are all getting on, Stevans is gone, Primus has lost a lot of effectiveness due to the rule changes in the ruck and whether Francou can perform at his optimal is doubtful after his knee.
Hopes are players like Cornes, Salopek etc. Still the back line is light on for height and can be battered aside in the finals.
They have made it this far on intenstity and you can only maintain it for so long.
Wakelin, Bishop, Wanganeen, Hardwick, Montgomery are all getting on, Stevans is gone, Primus has lost a lot of effectiveness due to the rule changes in the ruck and whether Francou can perform at his optimal is doubtful after his knee.
Hopes are players like Cornes, Salopek etc. Still the back line is light on for height and can be battered aside in the finals.
They have made it this far on intenstity and you can only maintain it for so long.
The only difference for 2004 is Stevens out, Francou in. Wakelin etc have another year at the same high level IMO. Primus was injured and ruck rule or not a minimal input would only be status quo with last year. People who write Port off are premature.
It depends on what Port do with their backline. There is still plenty of fuel left when it comes to their forwards and midfielders, but they have to get smooth changing of the guard with their backline. They've started by axing Paxman, and they'd be looking at replacing Hardwick, Wakelin, and Wanganeen over the next few seasons. If Williams does that well, then Port should keep on challenging. Muck it up and Williams will be looking for a new job.
evo
Let's hit the f*ken road!
Port are pretty blessed to be able to cover the loss of Stevens so easily with Fracou's return.I reckon they'll finish top again.Finals is anyones guess.I think Collingwood and Swans the fallers,both played to their full potential.Freo and West Coast the improvers.
Macca19
Moderator
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There is no huge reason why we should go from winning 18 games this year to winning 11 or 12 and being in the bottom half of the 8.
Weve lost two players that people rated - Stevens and Paxman.
We have two players that can replace them - Francou and Wakelin. Francou is a better player than Stevens and will fill that void. Im not expecting Francou to finish in the top 2 or 3 fo the Brownlow again next year but if he can pick up 400+ possesions then he will more than fill Stevens void...not to mention Francou is THE clearance king of the competition, which is something that Stevens was average at.
The last time Wakelin was our no.1 defender he only missed out on All Australian selection because of a Mark Bickley elbow. Thurstans can fill the 2nd or 3rd player well i believe. We may even give Chaplin a few games next year to see how he goes.
Hopefully James will be fit and ready come finals time next year - easily the one player we missed the most in the finals this year.
We have midfielders coming thru that can fill the one vacant spot pretty easily i believe. Salopek and Ebert are ready to go. Cassisi looks ready to take the next step to a regular performer instead of an ok bench player. K Cornes will hopefully (im praying) be released from tagging duties and will show everyone how bloody good he can be as a midfielder in his own right.
We need a third tall forward to come thru and kick 20-30 goals this year. White looks the most likely, but Chaplin and Champion may surprise.
Everyone goes on about the Primus rule and that he will never be effective again but thats just garbage. The umpiring fraternity have come out and stated that Primus was unfairly dealt with early in the season and that he was wrongly singled out by umpires. The "primus rule" has changed since then again. Primus was ineffective this year due to never being fit after round 2 or 3, not because of a ruck rule.
Even if we do drop 5-10% on last year we should still finish in the top 4. Maybe Port will be better off finishing 4-8 and not having the pressure of finishing top which we obviously cant handle at all.
Sure we have an aging defence but they all perform very well and statistically we had the best defence last year. Wanganeen had his best year. Wilson came back and performed admirably. Montgomery was solid. Hardwick was our best finals player. Wakelin was also solid. We have options to throw back there if needed. Shaun Burgoynes best position in my view is on the back flank and id love for him to play there.
We should be alright next year. Im expecting top 4. It is possible are side could slide dramatically as a knock on effect from another shocking finals series but i'd be very dissapointed if that was the case.
Weve lost two players that people rated - Stevens and Paxman.
We have two players that can replace them - Francou and Wakelin. Francou is a better player than Stevens and will fill that void. Im not expecting Francou to finish in the top 2 or 3 fo the Brownlow again next year but if he can pick up 400+ possesions then he will more than fill Stevens void...not to mention Francou is THE clearance king of the competition, which is something that Stevens was average at.
The last time Wakelin was our no.1 defender he only missed out on All Australian selection because of a Mark Bickley elbow. Thurstans can fill the 2nd or 3rd player well i believe. We may even give Chaplin a few games next year to see how he goes.
Hopefully James will be fit and ready come finals time next year - easily the one player we missed the most in the finals this year.
We have midfielders coming thru that can fill the one vacant spot pretty easily i believe. Salopek and Ebert are ready to go. Cassisi looks ready to take the next step to a regular performer instead of an ok bench player. K Cornes will hopefully (im praying) be released from tagging duties and will show everyone how bloody good he can be as a midfielder in his own right.
We need a third tall forward to come thru and kick 20-30 goals this year. White looks the most likely, but Chaplin and Champion may surprise.
Everyone goes on about the Primus rule and that he will never be effective again but thats just garbage. The umpiring fraternity have come out and stated that Primus was unfairly dealt with early in the season and that he was wrongly singled out by umpires. The "primus rule" has changed since then again. Primus was ineffective this year due to never being fit after round 2 or 3, not because of a ruck rule.
Even if we do drop 5-10% on last year we should still finish in the top 4. Maybe Port will be better off finishing 4-8 and not having the pressure of finishing top which we obviously cant handle at all.
Sure we have an aging defence but they all perform very well and statistically we had the best defence last year. Wanganeen had his best year. Wilson came back and performed admirably. Montgomery was solid. Hardwick was our best finals player. Wakelin was also solid. We have options to throw back there if needed. Shaun Burgoynes best position in my view is on the back flank and id love for him to play there.
We should be alright next year. Im expecting top 4. It is possible are side could slide dramatically as a knock on effect from another shocking finals series but i'd be very dissapointed if that was the case.
If you drop 5-10% you wont be in the four. In fact if you drop 10% you wont make the finals.
Port, Collingwood and Adelaide all are under pressure to stay at or near the top.
Freo Essendon and West Coast should improve. It could be a very open year next season, especially if StKilda deliver.
Port still has a good list and a very good home ground advantage and will finish in the top 4 again next year. I expect them and the pies to dominate the home and away rounds again.
Probable top 4, but, I'd suggest that in order to be successful in September, that an attitude change amongst the players and coaching staff is required. You've got to lift your intensity in the finals from what you did in the home and away season.
Maybe if they didn't finish on top, this will come.
Maybe if they didn't finish on top, this will come.
Can't see Port sliding too far.
I think the best possible thing for Port is to have an average run and finish mid to low position in the eight.
Nobody will give them a real chance and they will be very dangerous - full of finals experience and revenge.
Having said that I cannot remember a time when so many teams were looking like improving on the year before OR having retained enough good list to stay where they are.
Going to be a very good season 2004.
I think the best possible thing for Port is to have an average run and finish mid to low position in the eight.
Nobody will give them a real chance and they will be very dangerous - full of finals experience and revenge.
Having said that I cannot remember a time when so many teams were looking like improving on the year before OR having retained enough good list to stay where they are.
Going to be a very good season 2004.
It's an interestimng one. In some ways it could be a big help but I reckon everyone wrote you off after losing to the Swans and Choco kept turning his own screws. If you have an ordinary start the pressure will be unbearable. If you have a good start the back slappers will be in full swing. Trust me I've seen it at Collingwood many a time.
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- Oct 7, 2001
- 50,502
- 24,864
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- Port Adelaide
- Other Teams
- Muckbuckle Dolmens
Our draw is engineered to give us a good first half.
If we're not nearly top at the halfway mark, we're a good chance to miss the eight.
If we're not nearly top at the halfway mark, we're a good chance to miss the eight.
markt - just when i thought you were talking sense.....
FWIW - port will finish top 3 - cuz, there is unfinished business.
success is expected at port & this is the way its always been. if choco aint performing this time, there will be some movement behind the scenes, but port doesnt usually hang its dirty laundry for all to see & smell.
port thrive on people writing them off too....
Macca19
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- #24
I dont think Port would sack a coach mid year, no matter how bad we are going. I cant recall it ever happening in the history of the PAFC.
If we dont make the finals this year then its definately goodbye Mark. If we make the finals and put up yet another performance like the last 3 years then i reckon its goodbye Mark.
