Winning While Sleeping (Port 88 - 72 Carlton)

I hadn’t written on our game against Carlton yet because, truth be told, I had decided to skip the 3am-starting-time match and have some sleep instead. Otherwise, I would be miserable on the weekend – and I have a family to care. Sorry, folks. I love sports, footy, and Port; but, it might be surprising, there are other things – perhaps, even more important – in life, too. [“Sacrilege!” I know, but I am still doing this blog, am I not? So, please, forgive me!] Here, my take on the last game and my expectation for our match in the Lions’ den.

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Struggling at Home

The game against Carlton was only close, because it was at Port Adelaide Oval; not, at the MCG. I have read about it, made some research on it, watched its highlights, and that’s my conclusion. Since I have been watching Port [2017], I have the impression that, regardless of our gameplan, we always seem better suited for wide fields and good weather. That’s why we ran over the Demons and struggled, if only a bit, against the Blues.

Finishing Strong

The games were quite similar, though. For instance, the late-game crushing at the MCG also happened last weekend, but in the end of Q2 [4.3:27 to zero]. In the second half, the weather got worse, and we could not repeat that. We finished dominant again, but not as much as in the opening round [Q4 v.MEL – Port 2.6:18/Dees 0.0:0; Q4 v.CAR – Port 4.2:26/Blues 2.1:13]. The good news is that we kicked better at goal.

Turnovers: Port’s Kryptonite

Moreover, in both games, the main source of goals from our opponents was turnovers. The difference was that we have turned the ball over more against Carlton than against Melbourne. Why? I believe it was because of the field dimensions, that helps pressure, and the weather. The wind and humidity make more difficult to kick and mark the ball.

Two Deserved Wins

Still, in both games we have out-tackled the opposition; have more disposals and more inside-fifties than our opponents. In brief, we have outplayed them. We seem to be trying to mix our 2017 gameplan with last year’s [which I thought we would do last year, but better late than never]. So, we are seeing us playing forward, trying to keep the ball in our F50 with both pressure and possession football. So far, so good.

Alert Signal: Slow Starts

The problem is when we lose the ball. We are vulnerable to counterattacks, if the pressure doesn’t work. It has happened in both games; especially in Q1 and Q3. It is not a good sign that we switch off at the beginning of both halves. We need to start the games turned fully on.

These times of dominance, when the momentum of the game shifts in favor of our opponents, are normal. The key is to restrain them. We have been good at it so far, but better teams may make us pay. Brisbane has shown ability to kick goals, so we need to be careful this Saturday.

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Port v Fitzroy, Saturday at the Gabba (Preview)

Changes for Round 3

After repeating the line-up in the previous rounds, we have lost Watts and Amon due injury, and decided to drop Marshall. To replace them, we called Wines, Howard, and Sam Gray. It is an odd selection, and the melts in BigFooty have reached hysterical levels [soooo good!]. The issues here seem to be mainly two: Wines has gotten in for no one; and nobody has replaced Marshall. Howard would be in for Watts; and Sam, for Amon.

With Wines substituting nobody, our inside midfield gets an extra man in the rotation. This seems to suggest that we will try to play even more physically that we have done it so far. We don’t want Brisbane to have the ball at all – and we are absolutely right on that.

Marshall is our tallest small, so Sammy could be seen as his replacement. Still, Marshall also plays like a tall; then who will replace him? Hopefully, Howard will. If Howard plays as target [“KPF”], being part of our defensive and offensive rotations, he would be filling in for both Watts and Marshall; in the same way that Sam, playing wide in the wings and as courier [“small forward”], would be replacing both Amon and Marshall.

This is how the changes make sense, at least, for me. The only question remaining would be who will replace Watts as link [“CHB”]. That, to me, is our main problem. If we are unable to get the ball out of defense successfully, it could be a long evening for us at the Gabba.

Brisbane: Port’s Twin

Nonetheless, it will be an interesting matchup against the Lions. In the first two games, they have been superior to us offensively; while our numbers are better on defense. However, the way both teams have won their games has been curiously similar.

So far, they also have out-tackled the opposition; have more disposals and more inside-fifties than their opponents. Fitzroy, similarly to us, has struggled at the beginning of games, but finished strong and got the wins. Last week, they also had problems at the beginning of the second half.

Keys to Victory

The Gabba has dimensions similar to the MCG, which means both teams will be ready to explore those free spaces in the deep pockets. Since Port and Brisbane like having the ball, the winner will probably be the team with better execution.

Brisbane has enough talent to use the big field in its advantage, getting uncontested marks and avoiding contact, while also killing Port on counter-attacks. On the other hand, the Lions haven’t played a team as physical as Port, able to pressure them for two whole hours, nor have they imposed themselves physically against their previous opponents [tackles for v. against – Port: 143-114; Fitzroy: 109-93].

Tipping Port

Everything points to a close game. Still, I think that both teams playing their best footy, Port wins. The Lions look legit and play at home, but all things considered, it is our game to lose. We better be ready!

I will be awake for this one...

CARN THE POWER!!!