Take these guys out the Crows line-up (As an example) and see how good they would be performing....
Walker or Jenkins (played 2 games with both schulz and dixon)
Jacobs (no ryder all year)
Talia (1 of Hombsch or Trengrove not in defence for most of the year)
I'm sure most of you would agree that they would struggle big time.
Hawthorn have been able to cover their key position players and that is why they are arguably one of the best sides ever.
The majority of sides would'nt be able to cover the KPP that Port have lost this year.
There is a lot of talk about Port's depth and whilst i agree that it isnt there to some extent, not many teams would have the ability to cover so many KPP injuries/suspension.
It doesn't excuse the losses against the likes of Carlton + Freo
Honestly, we have looked 100 times better with Trengrove rucking and Lobbe out injured.
Our midfield is our biggest weakness with blokes like Boak, Hartlett, Broadbent, Polec all struggling to make an impact.
Ebert has had a strong second half of the year, Gray and Pittard supurb all year, Wines good but his disposal needs a lot of work. Wingard starting to heat up like last year after an early season injury.
Throw in the young guys that have broken through like Austin, Clurey, DBJ and to an extent Young and it doesn't look too bad if the midfield is able to start firing again next year.
There is one major difference between Port being mid-table or a contender and that is their disposal efficiency. It is their biggest issue and it has cost them the games against, Carlton, Freo, WB, West Coast and Hawthorn. Should have won all those games and would be sitting top 1-4. Even the showdown where we were blown off the park early, we ended up with similar amount of scoring shots and had a chance in the second term to get back in the game but when we started to get momentum, we would turn the ball over and the Crows would goal at the other end. Story of our last two years imo.