Macca19
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What a win! Everyone wrote us off. I wrote us off. Noone expected this. Where did this come from? I could get upset that this is all too little too late, but all this has done has made me excited for next season. Bring it on! Hawthorn had everything to play for. Top 2, home finals on the line. As good as gone now if West Coast win. Only one team has won the flag from outside the top 2 since 2004. We could have put a massive dent in their claim to history tonight. One of our great wins in recent years.
The first half was great footy, some of the best we've played all year. Certainly the most determined. Rarely gave Hawthorn any space, shut them down quickly and denied their run. Suddenly, their quick players who threatened to be so dangerous in the pre game were completely redundant. Rioli, nothing. Hill, Smith, no run. Breust and Puopolo no impact.
Not only that but the run we created ourselves was great to see. We found plenty of space across half back to run it out. Pittard and Broady were creative. Whitey went on some great runs. Gray, Ebert, Hartlett were getting the ball free across the middle.
Most importantly, we were hitting targets. We took some risks and they paid off. Where has this been? We haven't seen skills like this all year.
It was a night for the unsung heroes once again. Sammy Gray! Have we ever seen such a turnaround? From spud to stud in 4 weeks. It almost shouldn't be under question now, he deserves another year. If last week was all about AhChee, tonight was all about Sammy Gray.
And just on Arch, another very good performance. Mature, strong, skillful, impact. Sums up his performance perfectly. Great to see him kick that clutch goal after being screwed by Monfries. Pittard after such a questionable second half of the year was gold down back. As was Tommy Jonas. Strong marking, great spoiling. Impey had a great first half again. O'Shea solid all night. Whitey, minimal ball, optimal impact.
We were tested numerous times in that second half. At times in the third and in the last it looked like we would get overrun, but we didn't. We were able to steady every time. Get that vital clearance. Kick that clutch goal.
Wonderful victory!
PLAYER REVIEWS
The Best
S Gray - Sammy! Sammy Gray! I don't even know where to begin. We all had doubts about his future. He struggled on a forward flank. Couldn't impact in a forward pocket. Poor skills, couldn't get on the scoreboard. Amazing what happens when you move a talented player into his natural position. 4 weeks he's been wonderful as a midfielder. What a stat sheet that is! 34 disposals, 3 tackles, 11 contested possessions, 6 inside 50s. His impact was unquestionable. Anyone that's seen him play in the SANFL over his career knows how great he is as that centre square midfielder. Suddenly, in the last two weeks, it looks like we've found two players who could seriously help the senior players in that spot. Was best on ground by a long way Sammy. Sorry Sammy, I thought you were gone. You well deserve another contract!
Pittard - Has had a disappointing second half of the year. Skills, decision making, marking have all been down. Tonight, Jasper was back to his very best. Was great on Puopolo for much of the game and just controlled that back line with ease. His intercept marking was at its best. His skills were as good as they've ever been. He knew when to run off, when to create, when to dish off the handball and shepherded well. Just about his best game of the year.
AhChee - Forgive me for getting a bit emotional but I don't think i've been so happy to see a youngster play great footy for a number of years. Was our player sponsor a couple years ago. Regular on the podcast. Career on the line, gets a go this year, been solid as a sub and then was BOG last week. We all had our fingers crossed that he could back it up this week....and he did! To see him playing this sort of football at the highest level is wonderful. Great around the stoppages once again, but his ability to spread tonight and get the uncontested ball was crucial. Just seemed to be all over the park and once again was able to impact across the half forward line when up there. Whilst his handball to Monfries was a mistake, I was fist pumping like a mad man that he got the chance to make amends and kick the clutch sealer in the last few minutes. Well done Arch! Absolutely stoked for you!
Wingard - Clutch Wingod in overdrive! Thought he had a great start and was one of our keys in the first quarter before getting well held through the second. Then came just about the turning point of the game. Hodge chooses to try and decapitate him in a disgraceful act and Chad turns on the after burners. 2 goals straight away and gives us back the ascendancy. Was great further up the field in the last quarter, winning a number of crucial contested balls and finding plenty of space. Not only was he one of the best players on the ground, he finally ended the ridiculous Chad vs Cyril debate once and for all. One's the greatest small forward in the game. The other is Cyril Rioli.
R Gray - What a first quarter! If only he had his radar on it would have been close to the best individual quarter of footy for the year, by any player. Unfortunately didn't get the chance to hit the scoreboard later on but still dished off a number of goal assists to make up for it. Ryder to Gray in the ruck was delicious in that first half. Has he been as good as last year? Many may say no due to his reduction in goals, but his midfield work this year has been better than in 2014. His ability to win the clearance, break free and be able to dish off an effective disposal...only Gary can match it. Great 4 quarter effort.
Ryder - Can't give a top 5 this week, has to be a top 6. One of the best ruck performances in the last few years by a Port ruckman. Just destroyed McEvoy in the ruck and was great around the ground. Took some super strong grabs, used the ball well. But it was in the centre where he was so dominant. Won the centre clearances by 6 and it was just about the key to our win, our ability to get the ball out of the middle to ensure Hawthorn couldn't counter or get any sort of run on.
The Rest
Hartlett - The resurrection of Hammer continues. Maybe we were too harsh on him through the first half of the year? Continued his great form over the last 4-6 weeks with another strong four quarter effort tonight. Great over the ball, wonderful skills, near faultless kicking and was able to impact on the score board as well. Can't deny he has been a brilliant player since the break.
Boak - Was very critical of him up to half time. Just couldn't get in the game and was giving up the ball. As Hawthorn got back into it, Trav raised his game when the result was on the line and gave us a great second half, and in particular a great final quarter. Was just about the MVP in that last quarter. Looking forward to a big finish of the year and an even bigger 2016.
Westhoff - Thought he was solid all night, gave us plenty across half forward and was able to move further up the field and impact. Ran his opponent off his legs. A goal would have topped it off.
Ebert - Thought he was excellent in the first half before slowing down after half time. As he slowed down, the skills deteriorated and he made some poor errors, but overall it was another step in the right direction. Just needs to find some consistency next year.
Broadbent - Solid as a rock. Not much more to say than that. Did what he had to, kicked fantastically all night and was strong defensively.
White - That was the best game Whitey has played for Port Adelaide. He's had more of the ball, he's kicked more goals, but in terms of pure impact, that was #1 for him tonight. Was one of the most influential players on the field. For a team that is so quick in Hawthorn, they really had no answer to him when he got near the ball. Kicked a goal, gave off some others and kicked well inside 50. Perfect quality over quantity game.
Krakouer - Thought he did a great job on Cyril. Backed himself in and Cyril got some cheap possessions cheating at the back on his own. Rarely lost a one on one and was good with the ball. Did his job well.
Monfries - Mixed performance but overall more positive than negative. Moves down a couple of votes for that stupid call in the last quarter. Had a great first half and really got us going in the first quarter. Was well held after half time.
Neade - Busy, had an impact up forward and kicked two crucial goals, including a ripper in the last quarter. Has put in a number of good performances through the second half of the year. Is so close to putting it all together on a consistent basis.
O'Shea - What did Breust do? ****ing nothing that's what. Defensively was as good as he's ever been. Bit shaky at times with the ball, some poor decisions, but overall he was great. He's almost the reverse flat track bully. The better the opponent, the better he plays. Has been outstanding in our finals over the last couple of seasons and seems to always deliver in big games. I hope he stays.
Impey - Had a good first half, but barely noticed him after half time at all. Not really a bad thing, just thought he fell out of the game a bit.
Schulz - Mixed bag. Good first half, then really struggled to get near it, before kicking a good goal in the last. 3 goals is a fair result.
Jonas - Back to his best . 6 quarter of top quality football in succession now. Took some great strong grabs and his kicking was perfect. Where's this Tommy been all year?
Butcher - So many things go wrong whenever he goes near it. Either the delivery to him was just that little bit too poor, or he took a great strong grab only for a teammate to give away a free kick, or to be robbed of a free kick himself. He's unfortunate. Was that enough to keep him in the side next week? I don't think it was this time.
Hombsch - Decent work on Roughy. Had some great one on one wins throughout the game, without getting a lot of the ball himself. Roughy kicked 2, but didn't have the impact that he can.
Mitchell - Set up a goal as soon as he came on. Was just about his only touch.
POTY Votes
10 - S Gray
9 - AhChee, R Gray, Pittard, Wingard, Ryder
8 - Hartlett, White
7 - Westhoff, Broadbent, Krakouer, O'Shea
6 - Boak, Monfries
5 - Ebert, Neade, Jonas, Hombsch
4 - Impey, Schulz
3
2 - Butcher
1 - Mitchell
The first half was great footy, some of the best we've played all year. Certainly the most determined. Rarely gave Hawthorn any space, shut them down quickly and denied their run. Suddenly, their quick players who threatened to be so dangerous in the pre game were completely redundant. Rioli, nothing. Hill, Smith, no run. Breust and Puopolo no impact.
Not only that but the run we created ourselves was great to see. We found plenty of space across half back to run it out. Pittard and Broady were creative. Whitey went on some great runs. Gray, Ebert, Hartlett were getting the ball free across the middle.
Most importantly, we were hitting targets. We took some risks and they paid off. Where has this been? We haven't seen skills like this all year.
It was a night for the unsung heroes once again. Sammy Gray! Have we ever seen such a turnaround? From spud to stud in 4 weeks. It almost shouldn't be under question now, he deserves another year. If last week was all about AhChee, tonight was all about Sammy Gray.
And just on Arch, another very good performance. Mature, strong, skillful, impact. Sums up his performance perfectly. Great to see him kick that clutch goal after being screwed by Monfries. Pittard after such a questionable second half of the year was gold down back. As was Tommy Jonas. Strong marking, great spoiling. Impey had a great first half again. O'Shea solid all night. Whitey, minimal ball, optimal impact.
We were tested numerous times in that second half. At times in the third and in the last it looked like we would get overrun, but we didn't. We were able to steady every time. Get that vital clearance. Kick that clutch goal.
Wonderful victory!
PLAYER REVIEWS
The Best
S Gray - Sammy! Sammy Gray! I don't even know where to begin. We all had doubts about his future. He struggled on a forward flank. Couldn't impact in a forward pocket. Poor skills, couldn't get on the scoreboard. Amazing what happens when you move a talented player into his natural position. 4 weeks he's been wonderful as a midfielder. What a stat sheet that is! 34 disposals, 3 tackles, 11 contested possessions, 6 inside 50s. His impact was unquestionable. Anyone that's seen him play in the SANFL over his career knows how great he is as that centre square midfielder. Suddenly, in the last two weeks, it looks like we've found two players who could seriously help the senior players in that spot. Was best on ground by a long way Sammy. Sorry Sammy, I thought you were gone. You well deserve another contract!
Pittard - Has had a disappointing second half of the year. Skills, decision making, marking have all been down. Tonight, Jasper was back to his very best. Was great on Puopolo for much of the game and just controlled that back line with ease. His intercept marking was at its best. His skills were as good as they've ever been. He knew when to run off, when to create, when to dish off the handball and shepherded well. Just about his best game of the year.
AhChee - Forgive me for getting a bit emotional but I don't think i've been so happy to see a youngster play great footy for a number of years. Was our player sponsor a couple years ago. Regular on the podcast. Career on the line, gets a go this year, been solid as a sub and then was BOG last week. We all had our fingers crossed that he could back it up this week....and he did! To see him playing this sort of football at the highest level is wonderful. Great around the stoppages once again, but his ability to spread tonight and get the uncontested ball was crucial. Just seemed to be all over the park and once again was able to impact across the half forward line when up there. Whilst his handball to Monfries was a mistake, I was fist pumping like a mad man that he got the chance to make amends and kick the clutch sealer in the last few minutes. Well done Arch! Absolutely stoked for you!
Wingard - Clutch Wingod in overdrive! Thought he had a great start and was one of our keys in the first quarter before getting well held through the second. Then came just about the turning point of the game. Hodge chooses to try and decapitate him in a disgraceful act and Chad turns on the after burners. 2 goals straight away and gives us back the ascendancy. Was great further up the field in the last quarter, winning a number of crucial contested balls and finding plenty of space. Not only was he one of the best players on the ground, he finally ended the ridiculous Chad vs Cyril debate once and for all. One's the greatest small forward in the game. The other is Cyril Rioli.
R Gray - What a first quarter! If only he had his radar on it would have been close to the best individual quarter of footy for the year, by any player. Unfortunately didn't get the chance to hit the scoreboard later on but still dished off a number of goal assists to make up for it. Ryder to Gray in the ruck was delicious in that first half. Has he been as good as last year? Many may say no due to his reduction in goals, but his midfield work this year has been better than in 2014. His ability to win the clearance, break free and be able to dish off an effective disposal...only Gary can match it. Great 4 quarter effort.
Ryder - Can't give a top 5 this week, has to be a top 6. One of the best ruck performances in the last few years by a Port ruckman. Just destroyed McEvoy in the ruck and was great around the ground. Took some super strong grabs, used the ball well. But it was in the centre where he was so dominant. Won the centre clearances by 6 and it was just about the key to our win, our ability to get the ball out of the middle to ensure Hawthorn couldn't counter or get any sort of run on.
The Rest
Hartlett - The resurrection of Hammer continues. Maybe we were too harsh on him through the first half of the year? Continued his great form over the last 4-6 weeks with another strong four quarter effort tonight. Great over the ball, wonderful skills, near faultless kicking and was able to impact on the score board as well. Can't deny he has been a brilliant player since the break.
Boak - Was very critical of him up to half time. Just couldn't get in the game and was giving up the ball. As Hawthorn got back into it, Trav raised his game when the result was on the line and gave us a great second half, and in particular a great final quarter. Was just about the MVP in that last quarter. Looking forward to a big finish of the year and an even bigger 2016.
Westhoff - Thought he was solid all night, gave us plenty across half forward and was able to move further up the field and impact. Ran his opponent off his legs. A goal would have topped it off.
Ebert - Thought he was excellent in the first half before slowing down after half time. As he slowed down, the skills deteriorated and he made some poor errors, but overall it was another step in the right direction. Just needs to find some consistency next year.
Broadbent - Solid as a rock. Not much more to say than that. Did what he had to, kicked fantastically all night and was strong defensively.
White - That was the best game Whitey has played for Port Adelaide. He's had more of the ball, he's kicked more goals, but in terms of pure impact, that was #1 for him tonight. Was one of the most influential players on the field. For a team that is so quick in Hawthorn, they really had no answer to him when he got near the ball. Kicked a goal, gave off some others and kicked well inside 50. Perfect quality over quantity game.
Krakouer - Thought he did a great job on Cyril. Backed himself in and Cyril got some cheap possessions cheating at the back on his own. Rarely lost a one on one and was good with the ball. Did his job well.
Monfries - Mixed performance but overall more positive than negative. Moves down a couple of votes for that stupid call in the last quarter. Had a great first half and really got us going in the first quarter. Was well held after half time.
Neade - Busy, had an impact up forward and kicked two crucial goals, including a ripper in the last quarter. Has put in a number of good performances through the second half of the year. Is so close to putting it all together on a consistent basis.
O'Shea - What did Breust do? ****ing nothing that's what. Defensively was as good as he's ever been. Bit shaky at times with the ball, some poor decisions, but overall he was great. He's almost the reverse flat track bully. The better the opponent, the better he plays. Has been outstanding in our finals over the last couple of seasons and seems to always deliver in big games. I hope he stays.
Impey - Had a good first half, but barely noticed him after half time at all. Not really a bad thing, just thought he fell out of the game a bit.
Schulz - Mixed bag. Good first half, then really struggled to get near it, before kicking a good goal in the last. 3 goals is a fair result.
Jonas - Back to his best . 6 quarter of top quality football in succession now. Took some great strong grabs and his kicking was perfect. Where's this Tommy been all year?
Butcher - So many things go wrong whenever he goes near it. Either the delivery to him was just that little bit too poor, or he took a great strong grab only for a teammate to give away a free kick, or to be robbed of a free kick himself. He's unfortunate. Was that enough to keep him in the side next week? I don't think it was this time.
Hombsch - Decent work on Roughy. Had some great one on one wins throughout the game, without getting a lot of the ball himself. Roughy kicked 2, but didn't have the impact that he can.
Mitchell - Set up a goal as soon as he came on. Was just about his only touch.
POTY Votes
10 - S Gray
9 - AhChee, R Gray, Pittard, Wingard, Ryder
8 - Hartlett, White
7 - Westhoff, Broadbent, Krakouer, O'Shea
6 - Boak, Monfries
5 - Ebert, Neade, Jonas, Hombsch
4 - Impey, Schulz
3
2 - Butcher
1 - Mitchell
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