R14 - Central v Port Power @ Elizabeth

[Dutchy]

Best Players: J. Toumpas, P. Stewart, J. Polec, J. Butcher, S. Gray, S. Summerton

From that it looks like Port got their best out of the players they needed to play well...any comments from those at the game? Central fans?

[Booney]

Stewart was by far and away the best on ground. Toumpas and Polec played the space to their advantage.

[stan]

Butcher kick 6, did centrals have a u18 playing on him?

[Hazydog]

Best Players: J. Toumpas, P. Stewart, J. Polec, J. Butcher, S. Gray, S. Summerton

From that it looks like Port got their best out of the players they needed to play well...any comments from those at the game? Central fans?

Other than the fact that what those 6 earn in one year would comfortably cover what we pay our whole squad for 2 or 3 years, it seems Port really came to play on Saturday. Whether it's a case of the new coach settling in, or for other reasons, they have under performed to date.

After a solid first quarter from Centrals, Port took complete control of the game. From my perspective - both teams play a similar style, relying on switches of play, and lots of gut running to break the line. Port simply were able to run for longer, and instead of having a key forward recruited out of the Barossa with half a preseason, they had Butcher, who was finally able to reward his ball getting ability, with straight kicking. In saying that, Masters played a really tight defensive game, highlighting for me that Port's top ups (including the highly paid Summerton) are far superior to that of the Crows.

It's not surprising that an AFL Reserves side, even with only 12-13 AFL listed players, can play any SANFL Team off the park when, and I emphasise the WHEN, they are fair dinkum.
I think Port supporters would agree that Port barely went through the motions when the same two teams played at Alberton earlier in the year.

[Booney]

In that game I think we had 8 either unavailable ( Ryder Monfries ) or injured, at AFL level. That means 8 kids come up from the 2's, we were undermanned AND I'll add we looked like we knew it. Which was indeed disappointing.

[Hazydog]

In that game I think we had 8 either unavailable ( Ryder Monfries ) or injured, at AFL level. That means 8 kids come up from the 2's, we were undermanned AND I'll add we looked like we knew it. Which was indeed disappointing.

Also the game where Chad was reigned in a bit by Ken after being critical of the AFL players output post game if memory serves.

Vastly improved performance either way...

[Dogwatcher]

I got to the game at half-time and, unfortunately, for me, the best part of the game had been played.
We were insipid - emphasised by the fact Butch kicked six.
Port were ferocious at the ball.
It seemed, to me, there had been a real focus on that across the Port board last week, as the tackling pressure was reminiscent of Thursday night's AFL match.
Bizarre we can belt one reserves side, then get belted by another, who we'd beaten earlier in the season, the following week.
Unsure if it says much about us, or the vagaries of reserves availability.