VADE RETRO, SATANAS! (Port 75 - 65 Melbourne)

Watts, Barry, Trengove, and Toumpas didn’t play because we feared they could be affected by our exorcism of the Demons. Our Holy Ground is a sanctuary, indeed. Despite their great efforts, the Demons couldn't maculate our home.

---

So ugly a win, it was beautiful. In truth, I couldn't watch the only quarter we dominated. At Q3T, Brazil-Costa Rica started, and my focus shifted to the World Cup. I left my phone with the AFL app open, so I could check our comeback; but I have no idea what we did differently than the rest of the game. But, hey, it worked! It was an ugly win, but there are positives besides the score. We are exorcising demons that haunted us last year.

Yes indeed, we lost the midfield. However, I had seen a game where Melbourne dominated the midfield, and they absolutely obliterated the Crows. Last year, by the way, they destroyed us mercilessly.

So, they use midfield dominance to impose themselves, and we couldn't deal with opponents controlling the midfield. This time, instead of getting our asses kicked, we came out on top. That’s not the first time, since there were comebacks against Swans and Crows. In common, a great defensive effort. There is no doubt we are mastering the art of winning games that don’t go our way.

It was a close game. Winning close games requires luck, but there is art on it as well. Just ask Geelong about it. Once again, it wasn’t our first close win this season. In common, there is a Port team that doesn't panic and keeps it composure. Last year, we lost those games. This season, players are showing confidence, experience, and knowledge of the system and their roles in it. That is necessary to get those wins.

In brief, Port is showing that is capable of playing smart football. After Hawthorn, that is great news!

There are issues, still. Our offense and our defensive rebounding weren't good. However, losing the midfield as we did, at home, was the most worrisome. Kudos to Melbourne for having managed that, but our midfielders are elite footballers, and we should have been more efficient. When the midfield is lost, there is no structure that can survive.

Much of our defensive and offensive struggles can be explained with their midfield dominance, but those issues aren’t new. We have been bad in moving the ball away from our defense, and Dixon, Marshall, and Watts are all out of form. There are plenty of room for improvement, even though we are 5th on the ladder with a 9-4 record.

The club is aware of those issues. I am not saying no secret. Ken Hinkley was at 'On the Couch’ and made it clear we are still a working progress. “Success takes time.” He also said that players will be rested when needed, due our early bye. Players that are pushing for opportunities, they will be rewarded. This should gives us confidence for the rest of the season.

We are not ready yet, but got 3 consecutive solid wins. To improve, we must keep practicing. This season, we are not as good as we used to be against minnows. Facing Carlton at MCG is a great chance for us to try that; besides being a Grand Final practice. I don’t expect a great game from us, but another solid outing. Winning is key. If Carlton allows to do more, then I hope we go for the kill.

I miss the “flat-track bully” Port!

CARN THE POWER!

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