Far-West Footy

We all know the story: Port decided to join the VFL; SANFL forbid it; but Port ended up joining it later anyway. However, the costs were high. The club was forced to be split in two. Moreover, since there was already a black-and-white Magpies in the AFL, Port needed to change its nickname and colors. The parts were reunited, but Port continues carrying two brands: Power (AFL); Magpies (SANFL). Here is my opinion on how Port should deal with this.   --- Identity is such a difficult matter for our club. The 1997 split has really hurt our community, and it still hurts. I believe that a clear identity would help healing it. My suggestion is understanding the Port Adelaide FC as a "family," rather than an "individual." As I see it, PAFC is ONE club, but with TWO distinct football teams: the Power (AFL), and the Magpies (SANFL). The teams have different colors, monicker, and logo. I am OK with that, but many people aren't. The fact is that the teams lack somethi

OFF-SEASON SALE! Two Far-West Footy posts in one: first, on the rumours of Wingard's possible trade; second, a commentary on Collingwood's surprising victory over Richmond. In common, the question on what those events can teach us about Port. Everything is about Port, after all. Come on! You know that... --- Moneyballing Wingard After a season like ours, we have the impression that everyone could (or should!) leave. It is difficult, I know;  I am as mad and disappointed as any other supporter.  Still, we, Port people, need to cool down a bit. I do think every contract should be on the trading table. That should be the norm, always, regardless of how the season went. It doesn't mean that every contract is actually tradeable, though — some won't receive any fair proposal.  Port is obliged to play Moneyball. Moneyball demands courage; demands making unpopular choices, in order to get advantage over your opponents when the odds seem permanently stuck against you.  T

It is the second round of Finals, but it is hard to enjoy footy after Port's end of season. I'm new not only to the club, but to the game. I have been spending the entire season trying to connect the dots and understand what we were doing. Like a good philosopher, I am wrong...  --- The 2018 Port Adelaide's season was so disappointing that I cannot stop thinking about it. It keeps intriguing me what has happened. The 2017 season, the off-season moves, and the Members' convention, they all made sense as a whole. We have seen our issues, and we went for solutions. We were ruthless on all those players who have choked against Sturt in the SANFL GF.  Watts  was the perfect man to become the link whenever we got stuck up the field, distributing the ball, so we could move fast forward - using Polec, RGray, Wingard, and Motlop as counter-attacking weapons.  Motlop  doesn't crack under pressure, giving us option in close games.  Rockliff  is a leader and a compe

THREE THOUSAND VIEWERS! Thank you all for the support. It has been a wild adventure trying to follow footy from 8,000 miles away. It wouldn't be possible without your company. I hope you have half of the fun reading Far-West Footy I have writing it! --- The great winners of this year's first round of finals were Richmond and Melbourne. Richmond and Melbourne are playing the style of footy that Port played last season. Why have we changed it?! I suspect we outsmarted ourselves, here. There is a chance we haven't understood what we were trying to do, and that is a concern. The Riddle of the Sphinkley was never solved. Will it ever be? --- Whatever we were trying to do in 2018, it didn't work. That's the "what," but what would be the "why?" We have gotten rid of some of our assistant coaches, and we need to work on our squad list; but would our problems stop there? I am not so sure. Last year, we would kick into F50 and hope for th

Off-season means "GremioPower without restraint;" so there will be many ideas popping up on the most diverse issues.  This time, my  weekly "two cents" is a letter to my readers presenting the "Members'Council" and reasons why I believe Port should have one. --- Uruguayana, September 1st, 2018 Dear Far-West Footy readers, I hope this message finds you well. I was reading some offseason discussions on Port and started wondering whether there wouldn't be missing a space at the club for the members to engage more actively and constantly with the Administration. Let me explain what I mean by this. Brazilian soccer clubs have, between the General Assembly and the Board of Directors, a Members' Council. The councilors are elected by the General Assembly. The responsibilities of such an institution vary from club to club, but overall the Council serves as a resonance chamber for the opinions of the members. If I have under