THE BEHIND POSTS [I.2] (Miscellaneous)

This week: The Creed; Koch; Co-Captaincy; Tom Brady; My Lineup Changes; Ruckmen; and Game of Thrones

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What is Port Adelaide FC?

The Creed is probably my favourite part of the Port Adelaide F.C. I love it fullheartedly! It is full of a virtue called "magnanimity." It has a balance between arrogance and humility.

The Creed and our mottos are parts of a same whole. They share a common spirit – the belief that We DESERVE to WIN.

The Creed respects the opposition and recognizes our own shortcomings, but doesn't let our defects and their qualities stop us from achieving what is RIGHTFULLY ours — the premiership. After all, "We are Port Adelaide" and “We exist to win premierships.”

We will work our asses off because no one can be better than us. We are going to win: if not this year, than in the next; if this year, then also in the next.

By the way,  someone has brought up an analogy of the "grandfather's axe" (“after six handles and ten blades, it is still the ‘grandfather’s axe.’”). It is really good! All the characters and stories are parts of PAFC, but none is the club in itself. PAFC, like the “grandfather’s axe,” is its HISTORY. 

Let's keep reading it. Let's keep telling it. Let's keep writing it. That's what means being Port Adelaide.

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Koch’s Legacy
We are struggling in more places than only on the field. A few examples: (a) the major sponsor debacle; (b) the Center of Excellence failed announcement; (c) the lack of Chinese sponsorships; (d) the embarrassing 11-win promotional video; etc.

We obviously could forgive every single off-field shortcoming if the club were successful on the field. The opposite is not necessarily true. It is a FOOTBALL club, after all. I am just pointing out that the off-field success is not even there to serve as excuse. We are excelling in our community work, but that would be pretty much it.

We all want exactly what Koch wants — that he becomes the greatest president in Port's History. We want to help him. We are all in this together. The issue is that he is failing, but he doesn't want to admit it!

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Co-Captain, No Captain
Captaincy is overrated. Still, from what I have seen so far, both our co-captains together do not make a captain — probably, not even half. I am actually glad neither is wearing the #1.

I think that if we don't have someone fitting to wear the #1 guernsey, it is actually better leaving it aside until the true captain pulls Excalibur out of the rock. But that's me.
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The Secret for Sustainable Success
Tom Brady has said that they look for smart players more than talented, fast, or strong players. The fact that the Patriots are really good on identifying those players is a big part of their absurdly long and continuous success.

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"If this be madness, yet there be method in it." (W. Shakespeare)

I had never heard that quote before this week. It describes me too well for my own liking, I must admit. It was brought up in reply for my comments on what to do this week.

Personally, I would fire Bassett and put Hinkley on notice. Our selections show lack of imagination. Hinkley wants to be edgy, but he is very conservative whenever the original plan is forced to change. He hardly can adjust during the season! Imagine during a game...

I would make nine changes; giving the kids a rest, and dropping others due form. Boak to captain the team for the game:

Out: Drew, Rozee, Butters, Duursma, Motlop, Wines, Jonas, Bonner, and DBJ.
In: Marshall, Farrell, Trengove, Mayes, Lienert, McKenzie, Broadbent, Garner, and AJ.

Offense

Paddy Ryder, Robbie Gray, Brad Ebert
Sam Gray, Todd Marshall, Kane Farrell

Midfield
Scott Lycett, Tom Rockliff, Travis Boak
Justin Westhoff, Jack Trengove, Sam Mayes

Defense
Jarrod Lienert, Dan Houston, Ryan Burton
Trent McKenzie, Matthew Broadbent, Tom Clurey​
Interchange

Sam Powell-Pepper, Dougal Howard, Joel Garner, Aidyn Johnson

Emergencies

Drew, Rozee, Butters, Duursma

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Rucking for the Future
Ladhams' improvement this year is auspicious. Hayes is probably better, but if Ladhams reaches replacement level, we should be ok in the ruck department in the foreseeable future.

I am starting to agree with those who defend picking a potential ruckman every year, be it in the draft, the rookie draft, cat-B rookie, or even DFA. Developing rucks seems to be something like horse or cattle breeding. It takes a lot of time and resource, many trials and errors, to develop excellence.

Besides, some may fail as rucks, but still become KPD or KPF instead — which is not a failure at all.

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BONUS: Game of Thrones Round
The books are awesome! I haven't watched the TV series yet, though.

I am expecting, even with the whole seven-book series published, the story to have an open ending — much like Plato's Critias, which ends with a colon (:). So, despite the fact that I am waiting the others book in high anticipation, just like any other fan, I am ok with how the series is at the moment.