Preview Round 5 v Geelong at AO

[Willsy10]

No side has given us as much grief as Geelong in our entire history. We played arguably our best game of the year last year down at Geelong and still couldn't break them. No opposition side gives me less confidence of a win.

 

[Pappagallo]

Looks like you'll be busy

Bloody hell I hope we get up.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Bloody hell I hope we get up.

I'll bring the banjo if we lose

 

[Chrizzt]

Essendon lost to the Dockers and Bulldogs in the lead up. They were in questionable form at best. I rarely bet but I’m pretty sure we were comfortable favourites going into the match and if that’s accurate then the market thought it was very winnable for us too.

So yeah, not really a stretch.

All their key stats - especially including pressure acts - were massive improvements against us. It's not like they played at the same level and beat us. They hit turbo mode early against us, like they did late against the crows in round 1.

 

[Marmozet]

We played arguably our best game of the year last year down at Geelong and still couldn't break them.

We could break them that night actually. We were by far the better team.

The only thing that prevented us from actually winning the game was a blatant screwjob by the umpires.

 

[Pappagallo]

All their key stats - especially including pressure acts - were massive improvements against us. It's not like they played at the same level and beat us. They hit turbo mode early against us, like they did late against the crows in round 1.

Us being terrible =/= Them being awesome

But we certainly got what we deserved on the day.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

This is AFL. It's not just X loses to Y therefore Y beats Z.

Essendon at Etihad is the absolute toughest assignment our club faces.

Markets are often wrong. And teams at 3-0 are usually gonna be favourites

 

[Chrizzt]

Us being terrible =/= Them being awesome

But we certainly got what we deserved on the day.

Yep, but that also necessarily means that: Them being awesome =/= us being terrible

 

[Pappagallo]

This is AFL. It's not just X loses to Y therefore Y beats Z.

Essendon at Etihad is the absolute toughest assignment our club faces.

Markets are often wrong. And teams at 3-0 are usually gonna be favourites

A middling Essendon side on the back of two losses is our toughest assignment for the year? I think we’ll just have to agree to disagree on that one.

 

[klem22]

Just cant pick who will get up here. Geelong will win if we let them!
Going on our form the last two weeks its difficult to pick Port but i am going to by 26 points.
The real concern for us is if we dont get up the serious questions will loom large at Alberton

 

[Papa G]

Really need to win this one for a myriad of reasons but mainly to get the Geelong monkey off our back (with several stars missing), beat a top 8 team, keep winning at home and the fact that all the 3-1 teams are likely to win (although I've got a feeling the Demons might beat Richmond). I know it's only round 5, but just a super important game in the context of our season.

 

[OneGreatClub]

I suspect our poor skills are likely exposed on a ground like Ethiad where there's no rain or wind to equalise the two teams.

 

[crazee_peet]

I put $50 on the Bombres & won $110. Might do it again this Saturday

I wish you bad luck.

 

[Byrons Firen]

I guess the concern over the next few weeks is missing out on banking more of those early winnable games. You know, like the Essendon game.

Saturday is a winnable game and we're gunna do it. It's a big occasion and the boys will lift.

 

[Pt Augusta Power]

Geelong will win. Near certain, somethings not right with us at the moment.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Wasn't remotely confident against Essendon but feel reasonably confident here. Not only for the win but also the type of performance that we'll produce.

Starting strong and hard, beating them around the ground (not just their exposed defence) and setting ourselves up for a big next few weeks.

Our so called exposed defense is the biggest misnomer doing the rounds on big footy. We've conceded the most inside 50's yet only narrowly lost to two of the in form teams. It isn't our issue ... pressure (or lack of it) further up the ground is our greatest concern at the minute. I know people like to point the finger at Henderson and Taylor being out and losing Lonergan and Mackie at the end of last season but Stewart, Kolodjashnij and Blicavs have found a new lease of life down back, particularly Kolo who is thriving playing his rightful position, and Stewart has picked up where he left off last season being that 3rd tall defender.

There are two key indicators to Port winning this game. Winning the clearances and fast ball movement from defense. Contrary to popular opinion, our defense has actually been our strength.

If you guys transition well, run and apply plenty of pressure you'll go a long way to winning this game. Ryder being out is a big blow - to state the obvious - and that's the one area I think we can cause a little bit of concern if we move the ball in fast by winning at the stoppages.

I still expect you to rebound after a couple of poor performances but Ryder being out gives me some hope. Port by about 3 goals but If we stop your run we're a chance.

Anyway, best of luck and I hope Motlop plays a good game to stick it up the Geelong faithful that forced his hand.

 

[GremioPower]

Our so called exposed defense is the biggest misnomer doing the rounds on big footy. We've conceded the most inside 50's yet only narrowly lost to two of the in form teams. It isn't our issue ... pressure (or lack of it) further up the ground is our greatest concern at the minute. I know people like to point the finger at Henderson and Taylor being out and losing Lonergan and Mackie at the end of last season but Stewart, Kolodjashnij and Blicavs have found a new lease of life down back, particularly Kolo who is thriving playing his rightful position, and Stewart has picked up where he left off last season being that 3rd tall defender.

There are two key indicators to Port winning this game. Winning the clearances and fast ball movement from defense. Contrary to popular opinion, our defense has actually been our strength.

If you guys transition well, run and apply plenty of pressure you'll go a long way to winning this game. Ryder being out is a big blow - to state the obvious - and that's the one area I think we can cause a little bit of concern if we move the ball in fast by winning at the stoppages.

I still expect you to rebound after a couple of poor performances but Ryder being out gives me some hope. Port by about 3 goals but If we stop your run we're a chance.

Anyway, best of luck and I hope Motlop plays a good game to stick it up the Geelong faithful that forced his hand.

You are basically us, then. The description is tailor-made for Port: underrated defence; lack of pressure; injuries in the midfield; usw.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

You are basically us, then. The description is tailor-made for Port: underrated defence; lack of pressure; injuries in the midfield; usw.

I remember the indigenous round game of last year quite well. You applied plenty of pressure and executed well ... probably really unlucky at the end not to come away with the win which is a rare feat at KP. The blueprint is there.

The Gray's and Wingard could really trouble us here. I think we'll play a spare man in defense again this week which could be dangerous If your runners take control and lower their eyes. You'll have a spare man which could work in your favour.

I'd mark the Brisbane game down to going into the game thinking you'd win easy more than anything else. It's a mindset issue more than anything. I wouldn't be too concerned, you're a talented side who'll be hard to beat. I'm really starting to like the look of your defense too, some underrated and unheralded players down there.

Who takes the Menzel?

 

[Chrizzt]

Our so called exposed defense is the biggest misnomer doing the rounds on big footy. We've conceded the most inside 50's yet only narrowly lost to two of the in form teams. It isn't our issue ... pressure (or lack of it) further up the ground is our greatest concern at the minute. I know people like to point the finger at Henderson and Taylor being out and losing Lonergan and Mackie at the end of last season but Stewart, Kolodjashnij and Blicavs have found a new lease of life down back, particularly Kolo who is thriving playing his rightful position, and Stewart has picked up where he left off last season being that 3rd tall defender.

There are two key indicators to Port winning this game. Winning the clearances and fast ball movement from defense. Contrary to popular opinion, our defense has actually been our strength.

If you guys transition well, run and apply plenty of pressure you'll go a long way to winning this game. Ryder being out is a big blow - to state the obvious - and that's the one area I think we can cause a little bit of concern if we move the ball in fast by winning at the stoppages.

I still expect you to rebound after a couple of poor performances but Ryder being out gives me some hope. Port by about 3 goals but If we stop your run we're a chance.

Anyway, best of luck and I hope Motlop plays a good game to stick it up the Geelong faithful that forced his hand.

I didn't say your defence is weak, but it is somewhat exposed - for both height and experience. I agree Stewart seems to be playing some good footy, and Kolo is a nice player but Dixon and Marshall will tower over them and it is an area we could try to exploit.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I didn't say your defence is weak, but it is somewhat exposed - for both height and experience. I agree Stewart seems to be playing some good footy, and Kolo is a nice player but Dixon and Marshall will tower over them and it is an area we could try to exploit.

I'll agree Dixon could cause some damage but not Marshall ... despite being talented he's hardly a monster at this stage of his career. I'm more concerned with Watts getting off the leash, he always seems to trouble us for some reason.

The experience part is true given they haven't played many games together as a unit but I've been happy with the way they've been going in general.

How do you see the match-up and where do you see Port winning the game?

 

[GremioPower]

I'll agree Dixon could cause some damage but not Marshall ... despite being talented he's hardly a monster at this stage of his career. I'm more concerned with Watts getting off the leash, he always seems to trouble us for some reason.

The experience part is true given they haven't played many games together as a unit but I've been happy with the way they've been going in general.

How do you see the match-up and where do you see Port winning the game?

Marshall doesn't need to be a monster. He is smart, quick, and tall. This is more than enough for him to take advantage on teams trying to defend against Dixon and Watts.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Marshall doesn't need to be a monster. He is smart, quick, and tall. This is more than enough for him to take advantage on teams trying to defend against Dixon and Watts.

Yep, he's going to be a really good footballer for Port. Is he over his concussion?

 

[pastmyprimus]

After the first two games my doubts about the club started to fade. Two weeks later and my doubts are back.

I really don't know what to expect from the club on Saturday night. I can see arguments for a Port win and arguments for a Port loss. Right now, I'm feeling ambivalent.

 

[Hammer#8]

The way we struggled with Geelong sides in the past is different to how we struggle with them now.

They used to beat up on us and totally outclass everywhere on the ground (particularly during the 2007-2013 period), so much so we'd be lucky to break even in one position on the ground.

While their stars continue to retire and slow down we still struggle with their physical, contested style in a similar way to how we struggled against Sydney teams.

I think the physical conditioning of our side has finally started to catch up and surpass them and its probably why we were so competitive with them in the game last year.

There's no reason why we can't win and if we've got the physical side covered then its all between the ears with this group as far as I'm concerned.

No excuses!

 

[GremioPower]

Yep, he's going to be a really good footballer for Port. Is he over his concussion?

He is day-by-day. Hopefully, he will be able to play.

On your question about where do I see Port winning, it does not differ much from what you said. I would aid two points, and people are free to correct me if it is nonsense:

(a) our early-season inconsistency — we were supposed to struggle, while putting the team together, but Ryder's injury and Rockliff's and Frampton's limited preaseasons have not only weakened our midfield, but forced us to either change the forward or the back line in order to be competitive in the middle; so, players that don't know each other well are playing out of position, which increases inconsistencies both in a particular game and from game to game; and

(b) our ability to outrun our opponents late in the game — we spare interchanges in the first half, then unleash hell in the second (las game, notwithstanding).

So, if Port can show good footy for some considerable chunks of time, and if the score is close by the main break, then, you would be in trouble.