SA Footy

RESERVES

Port Adelaide have won their 2nd game of the season, taking charge over the Bloods by 51 points in the ealry game at Alberton.

Five unanswered goals in the third quarter finished the game off as a contest as the Magpies led for the majority of the contest.

West Adelaide kicked two early goals but the Magpies kicked 3 goals each side of 1/4 time to break out to a handy 5 goal lead during the 2nd quarter.

The Magpies looked to kick away in the last, with the opening three goals of the term but the Bloods kicked the final three goals of the match to cut the margin under 10 goals.

The Magpies had many strong performers in the victory. James Meiklejohns was strong in his return from injury, whilst youngsters Matthew Lobbe and Josh Walker controlled the backline. Exciting Michael Clinch kicked 5 goals for the day.

West Adelaide was best served by small forward Leigh Gathercole who slotted 5 goals and took a number of marks across half forward. Kurt Thompson, Jack Selfe and James Vanderhaak also played well.

PA 4.4 / 7.9 / 13.11 / 16.15 111
WA 2.2 / 4.3 / 6.6 / 9.6 60

BEST
PA: Walker, Meiklejohn, Lobbe, Clinch, Wilkey, Watson, Wait
WA: Gathercole, Selfe, Thompson, Vanderhaak, Plant

GOALS
PA: Clinch 5; Catterall 3; Milera, Wilkey 2; Miller, Wait, Mcinerney
WA: Gathercole 5; Luders 2; Selfe, Hutchins

SENIORS

A Daniel Hargreaves inspired Port Adelaide has won their second match of the season, overcoming a spirited West Adelaide outfit.

The enigma continued his strong early season form with 7 majors as the Magpies ran out 24 point victors.

In what can only be described as a game for the purists, the first half was marred by poor skills from both clubs. It was goal for goal early as the Bloods led by 2 points at 1/4 time. Port worked their way in front during the second quarter and Hargraves 4th goal near the half time siren put them up by the single major at the half.

He kicked 4 of the Magpies 7 first half goals and was one of the main dominant talls on the ground. Jeremy Clayton was at his usual best whilst Ivan Maric also had a strong first half for the Magpies. Ryan Willits was in the middle of playing his best game at senior level, whilst James Ezard, Damien Cupido and first gamer Steven Morris were also getting plenty of the ball.

The Magpies came out after half time and kicked 5 consecutive goals to all but but away the result. Joel Perry moved forward and took a couple of strong grabs across half forward, whilst the Magpies midfield continued to get first hands on the ball in the middle.

But the Bloods werent done yet, as they kicked 2 goals in 10 seconds without the ball going back to the middle. As Ben Fisher kicked a goal, Salim Hassan was awarded a free 10 metres out in front and goaled. Suddenly the margin was back to 4 goals and the game was alive again.

West Adelaide came out of the three quarter time huddle more determined, and with two quick goals through Hassan and Ezard, the game was well and truly on. The Magpies fans could sense another failure in the crowd and West Adelaide had lifted.

The Magpies steadied through goals to Daniel Hargraves and Jeremy Clayton, but once again the BLoods werent finished yet, answering with two goals for their own.

But it was Daniel Hargraves who inevitably kicked the sealer with his seventh goal for the match. Clive Waterhouse - returning from his year long knee injury - kicked his 2nd to drive the Magpies into their second victory of the season.

Hargraves 7 goals made sure he was BOG, but Ivan Maric was equally as good in the ruck, with Nathan Krakouer picking up a ton of disposals on a wing. Summerton, Eichner and Jeremy Clayton were all strong in the victory as well.

The Bloods had a number of good performers, with Salim Hassan being West Adelaides best player, with Ezard, Cupido and Ryan Willits not far behind. Youngsters Steven Morris and Hamish Hartlett also looked lively all day.

PA 3.3 / 7.7 / 13.10 / 17.12 114
WA 3.5 / 6.7 / 9.11 / 13.12 90

BEST
PA: Hargraves, Maric, Krakouer, Summerton, Eichner, J Clayton, Elstone
WA: Hassan, Willits, Cupido, Morris, Ezard, Munn

GOALS
PA: Hargraves 7; J Clayton 3; Waterhouse 2; AhChee, Rugolo, Perry, Karkouer
WA: Hassan 3; Hartlett, Fisher 2; Martin, Munn, Willits, Caire, Ezard

Maric is stiff* IMO to have not been called up for higher duties.

(We are happy to keep him mind you)

Westies just don't seem to have a strong target up forward this year with Cupido not always playing there permantly...

I guess one positive for the Bloods today is that finally kicked more than 9 goals... !!!

Big Phil...

Booney wrote:Maric is stiff* IMO to have not been called up for higher duties.

(We are happy to keep him mind you)

Great trademarks of SAFOOTY.net

regards,

REB

NostroMALus

and

Booney*

Macca19 wrote:BEST
PA: Walker, Meiklejohn, Lobbe, Clinch, Wilkey, Watson, Wait
WA: Gathercole, Selfe, Thompson, Vanderhaak, Plant

GOALS
PA: Clinch 5; Catterall 3; Milera, Wilkey 2; Miller, Wait, Mcinerney
WA: Gathercole 5; Luders 2; Selfe, Hutchins

So I take it Harry Miller is looking average even at reserves level? Unbelievable. What's his problem, he has talent but is he just that lazy?

Good write up Macca, from an AFL perspective good to see Willits maintain his form from last week (was he playing in defence?).

Port really does appear to be lacking something, the team on paper looks good but to hear of the amount of errors being made (apparently by both teams) is very disappointing. I'm really starting to think that Ginever is incapable of resurrecting the club and may need to be moved on in the short term. Without Hargraves theres been no real forward options but with Clive back theres is at least something to work on.

The other thing is that the team is still really struggling at Alberton, which obviously was a significant always a traditional advantage up until 5/10 years ago.

I think we'll struggle against Norwood next week under lights, if they get an early lead i can't see Port making up the margin like South did a few weeks ago.

Good to read alot better effort from Westies. Andy Collins magic is slowly working now lets see it get us a win or four.

He just doesnt do enough at either level. Lazy. Waits for the ball to come to him. Makes too many mistakes. You'd think he would dominate at reserves level, like Clinch for example, but hes miles away.

Just as an example...I look at Dolling. Whenever he gets dropped he works his arse off to get back in the team. He got dropped for the Eagles game and he had about 40 touches.

How do you rate the Magpies at this stage in comparison to the last few years Macca, Booney etc.?

The last year or so I've thought there has been a fair difference between the good and bad players in the team (too much relied upon too few). I didn't rate them at the start of the year, but they seem to be doing ok so far. Had they won a couple of close ones they'd be up there at the moment and they thrashed the Eagles.

Do you expect finals? Are they heading in the right direction?

Firstly well done to Port

West are improving just need play 4 quater

Sal was our best

Sal was reported don't what for

Question how come west had 2 goals in a row before it went back to the centre in the third quater

Onya Hargy!!

Good report, Macca. In the reserves, I thought Clinch was outstanding.

I didn't rate Maric's ruck work as highly as you, even though he played well, but I thought West had much the better of the centre clearances and Neaves played well. Sal Hassan was excellent, but Nathan Brown was West's best. Although a little quieter in the second half, 15 first quarter possession off a back flank was superb.

Apart from Hargraves, Port had several players who lifted when needed. I thought Dolling's second half was important and Jeremy Clayton was damaging around goals, less so than usual in field play perhaps.

All in all, a vastly improved game from the Bloods, who played a good, direct brand of footy and are improving.

Hamish Hartlett looked all class with 3 goals and some great skills and Steven Morris was very good in his first game.

Wedgie, you would of been impressed with your luv child Hargy today.

redandblack wrote:
Steven Morris was very good in his first game.

Whats Morris' background ie age, and where he was recruited from?

Morris is 19 recuirted from the Western Jets TAC Son of Geoff that used to coach the West Adelaide

Thiele wrote:Morris is 19 recuirted from the Western Jets TAC Son of Geoff that used to coach the West Adelaide

Thanks Thiele, what type of player is he? Midfielder?

GWW wrote:

Thiele wrote:Morris is 19 recuirted from the Western Jets TAC Son of Geoff that used to coach the West Adelaide

Thanks Thiele, what type of player is he? Midfielder?

yes

Big Phil wrote:Westies just don't seem to have a strong target up forward this year with Cupido not always playing there permantly...

Just think, if they weren't obliged to play Willets up forwards by a lesser club, Westies could play him down back where he has been proven to perform. That would free up a forward position for Kewpie Doll.

Aerie wrote:How do you rate the Magpies at this stage in comparison to the last few years Macca, Booney etc.?

The last year or so I've thought there has been a fair difference between the good and bad players in the team (too much relied upon too few). I didn't rate them at the start of the year, but they seem to be doing ok so far. Had they won a couple of close ones they'd be up there at the moment and they thrashed the Eagles.

Do you expect finals? Are they heading in the right direction?

Its hard to answer really. Its hard to judge where we are at. We lost two games because we couldnt kick straight in the last quarter, had we won those we'd be 4-1. But kicking for goal at crucial times and last quarter lapses has been an issue for over 12 months now so it came as no surprise that we lost those games.

Ive said a few times here that we seem to lack that extra 5% to win those crucial close matches.

When you consider we are still without Meiklejohn, King, Murray, Saunders, Lees and Mardling and with more game time into Waterhouse and Lokan, we definately have a good core group of senior and young players who can play to a good standard.

I want to give it another 4-5 games but what I would really like is to see us win a couple of those close games.

I think if we can keep this core group of players together and with the talented juniors weve got coming through, then we could see regular finals action soon.

Westies would be close to unbeaten if games only lasted the first Q

Good to see Hassan find some form. great player.