R5: Port v Norwood Review

[Macca19]

Reserves

Port Adelaide won the reserves by a comfortable 11 points in the early game tonight. Port Adelaide led basically from start to finish, although Norwood staged a couple of spirited comebacks.

The Magpies jumped off to a better opening term, with Joseph Hay kicking 3 of their 6 goals for the quarter. They kicked the last three goals of the quarter to lead by 19 points at the first change. A Matthew Gates inspired opening to the second quarter saw them push that lead out to 32 points. He kicked three goals in the opening 10 minutes of the quarter and the Magpies looked well on top. Norwood regrouped and begun to fightback, trailing by 15 points at the main change.

The third quarter was a tighter tussle as some light rain began to fall. Only three goals were kicked for the quarter, two of them to the Magpies. The last quarter saw Port Adelaide hold off a mid quarter charge to end up winning by 11 points.

Matthew Gates and Joseph Hay both kicked 4 goals for the victors, whilst Chad Davis, Shaun Smith and Daniel Coleman were also great. Brad De Vries kicked 3 for Norwood, whilst Ryan Lewis was bes on ground. He had support from Nick Duigan and Hugh Minson.

PA 6.3 / 11.6 / 13.8 / 15.10 (100)
NW 3.2 / 9.3 / 10.4 / 13.11 (89)

Seniors

Port Adelaide have defeated Norwood at the Parade for the first time since 2001, thrashing the Redlegs by 45 points. The Magpies took to the conditions better and played the cleaner football, holding Norwood goalless until halfway through the second quarter.

It took Norwood until the 15th minute mark of the second quarter to post their first major, by which time Port Adelaide had kicked 9 and the contest was all but over. Despite a mid match comeback, Port Adelaide ran away with the match in the last quarter.

The ground was moist after some light rain fell during the reserves, making things slippery for the players. Port Adelaide however played like it was a dry sunny day, marking strongly and picking the ball up cleanly off the turf. Norwood were the exact opposite in the first quarter. They fumbled, dropped marks, missed targets, overran the ball and were terrible in front of goal.

Scott Stevens kicked the first goal for the Magpies two minutes into the match. Norwood missed some gettable chances through Jamie Vlatko and Scott Carslake before Gavin Wanganeen kicked his first goal in Magpies colours this year. Kyle Jenner snapped a ripper and by the halfway mark of the quarter Norwood were three goals down and struggling to get the ball forward. Port Adelaide were clearing the ball with ease from the midfield and were hitting targets up the field. Port kicked three more goals for the quarter, through Waterhouse, Butcher and Marc Bullen and led by a commanding 33 points at quarter time.

Norwood needed a rocket at quarter time but they came out after the break in much the same way. The rain started to come down a little heavier, making things tougher for the Redlegs. Scott Stevens kicked the opening two goals of the 2nd quarter to push the lead out further before Gavin Wanganeen kicked his 2nd goal for the match. At this point the Magpies were 9 goals to 0 and were in complete control of the match.

Stuart Bown kicked the first goal for Norwood and the crowd gave the bronx cheers. It only took 45 seconds for Norwood to kick their 2nd goal, with Heath Culpitt running one through. Despite the margin, the Redlegs had lifted their game whilst Port had backed off slightly. It was enough to give Norwood a sniff and they raised their tackling, started hitting targets and were running off their Port opponents. Scott Carslake kicked his first before James Gallagher goaled just before the siren to put Norwood only 25 points behind and right in the match.

Jeremy Clayton and Gavin Wanganeen were instrumental in Ports start, as was Scott Stevens three first half goals. Steve Eichner and John Baird were playing well in defence. For Norwood, Bryce Campbell had a great first half, as did James Gallagher, whilst Gavin Hughes was starting to get into the game during the second quarter.

The start of the third quarter was to be all important, and it was the Magpies that kicked the first goal. Norwood replied not long after before Port kicked two goals in three minutes through Scott Stevens and Jeremy Clayton. Norwood returned the favour with two of their own but Port ran out the quarter stronger, kicking two more goals to raise the margin to 38 points at the final change.

After a tight start to the last quarter, Port broke first with Ivan Maric dropping a mark but recovering to kick a goal from 30 out. Norwood continued to try but the match was effectively over at that point. The Magpies finished off with two goals to Jeremy Clayton (his third), and Shane Morrisons first for the night.

Port continued their unbeaten streak this season and looked at home in the wet. They attacked strongly, put their bodies on the line and their defence was solid as a rock. Steve Eichner and John Baird gave tall Rob Dejongh a bath whilst AhChee played well on Stuart Bown. Kristian DePasquale epitomised Ports attack with a great display of bravery, getting crunched whilst running with the flight of the ball. Ports midfield ended up well on top, with Adam Kingsley, Jeremy Clayton, Marc Bullen and Troy Butcher all playing well.

Norwood will need to go back to the training track and sharpen up their skills. Their first half was exceptionally poor and a lot of their mistakes ended with Port goals. Bryce Campbell and Gavin Hughes were best, whilst Stephen Bailey had a strong second half and Matthew Thomas continued to work hard.

PA 6.1 / 9.3 / 14.8 / 18.11 (119)
NW 0.4 / 4.8 / 7.12 / 10.14 (74)

BEST:
PA - J Clayton, Baird, Jenner, Stevens, Eichner, Kingsley
NW - Campbell, Hughes, Bailey

Port Player Reviews:

M Clayton - Continued his top form as captain this year. Spent time all over the ground and performed well, although he missed a couple of shots at goal he should have nailed

J Clayton - The things this guy can do on a football field just astound me. Kicked 3, took some great grabs, got some great hardballs. A footballing genius.

Poulton - Quiet at times but had an impact in the last half

Wanganeen - Just played the first three quarters and was high in the best in the first half. Kicked a couple of goals and setup some others.

Harry - Quiet. Spent a fair bit of time on Borlace.

Kingsley - Good return game. Spent most of the match in the centre and although he made some mistakes, he did more good than bad.

Baird - Continues to impress greatly. Marked well, rebounded well and setup play for half back.

Bullen - Spent the first half at Half Forward and had a big impact. Moved into the middle later on and continued to get the ball.

De Pasquale - Took a courageous hit which lifted the side in the third quarter. Played well before that.

Morrison - Struggled a bit tonight. Started well and had a decent last quarter but couldnt find the ball in the middle two quarters

Lokan - Beat Bartemucci in the first half playing off half back.

Eichner - Again in the best players, did some fantastic runs from half back breaking tackles. Killed DeJongh.

Fitzgerald - Strong first quarter, not seen after that

Butcher - A great utility. Just plays well wherever you put him. Kicked two when up forward.

Stevens - Great first half. Quiet after that.

Meiklejohn - Didnt get a heap of time on the ground but was busy when on.

Maric - Thought he won the rucks tonight and was useful around the ground

Biacsi - Great first quarter but again went a bit quiet after that.

Jenner - Continues to excite with his strong marking and ability to weave out of trouble. One of the best.

Waterhouse - The enigma. Did some good stuff, did some stupid stuff. You expect that.

Ah Chee -Solid as a rock at full back.

[Wedgie]

Crikey Macca, you're so far in front of the guys paid as journos for various rags its not funny.
Excellent work mate, keep it up.

Have you thought about talking to someone at the Magpies in perhaps getting a media pass and having your reviews published on their official site?

[Kevin]

Great work Macca

[Wedgie]

Would I be right in saying that Macca would be easily the most comprehensive analyser of the game?
I've had great match reports for North on The Roost from Paul Horwood who also covers games for the club now too (who I'd put in front of Advertiser Journos) but I can honestly say I wouldn't have 1/10th of an insight or knowledge of a game I'd watched as Macca and he's easily in a league of his own.

Crikey, and you're a Port supporter Macca, imagine how good you would have been if you had an education!

[Macca19]

Cheers Wedgie. Nah I havent thought about contacting the club.

[Wedgie]

Cheers Wedgie. Nah I havent thought about contacting the club.

They'd definately appreciate your reports Macca, if you'd like I could help organise something.

[drebin]

Anyone who tells me Port are not the flag favourites has no idea about football - I wonder what "pearler" Chinny Ginever will come up with this week to keep a lid (or should I say a salary cap?) on the euphoria at Alberton.

[Wedgie]

Full marks to Ginever, I got close to a few huddles at Port last year (in a purely non homophobic way) and I saw why Cahill was such a legend of a coach and despite their recuits I had question marks over Port this year because of Timmy coaching them but he's doing a damn fine job.
I hope I'm not conceived as cocky but I'd love North and Port to both be undefeated going into the game at Prospect in two weeks time, it would be a HUGE game (not that it wont be with a couple of losses anyway).

I too rate Port as favs for the flag, they recruited similarly to North BUT I think they recruited a little smarter in that they recruited for different positions around the ground where North have 3 or 4 blokes recruited who could all play the same spot. IMHO Port look awesome on paper and with the only question mark slowly being eliminated they're looking mighty good.

[jim5112]

Mupdie fans are notorious for their premature celebrations...

[Ian]

I hope I'm not conceived as cocky but I'd love North and Port to both be undefeated going into the game at Prospect in two weeks time, it would be a HUGE game

I was only saying the same thing to a mate last night, if that couldn't draw a great crowd, I don't know what would.

[Macca19]

We do look very good at the moment. I dont want to get too far ahead though. Its only the start of the season and anything can happen. All it takes is a loss or a couple of injuries to dent the confidence and then you can start to go down hill.

The best thing about how we play is that its simple football. Typical Port Adelaide style. Tough, hard, skillful with the key being a super strong defence. Get the players willing to attack and hunt the ball, work for each other. We are working great as a team at the moment. We are very even across the park and every player in that side has done his job. Even the lesser knowns like Fitzgerald, Harry, Biacsi are playing well.

Im very pleased with our recruits this year. Baird is awesome. An awesome footballer. Bullen and Butcher seem to be great utilities that can perform numerous different roles well. Morrison has been pretty quiet lately.

We are still short in the ruck. Once the inevitable happens and Maric gets promoted to the Crows, we are left with Meiklejohn (didnt rate him last year but has done well so far) and a bunch of unknown reserves guys like Crabbe, Banton, Smith and Howard. If Maric and Meiklejohn are both out the side, we are gonna struggle.

Things are looking good for the time being though, and instead of thinking about what may happen in the future, Ill just continue to enjoy how we are playing at the present.

PS. Wedgie, cheers for your support. I wouldnt mind writing for the website and I dont think they have anybody that does regular reviews. Might have to look into it.

[drebin]

I disagree a little Wedgie re your comments on our recruiting. I think our recruiting was good and spread over all positions.

We only got 2 forwards in Weatherley and Alleway and just as well as Hargs and Alleway are out long term otherwise Gill would be getting no help. We needed 2 experienced defenders and got them in Koops and Cox plus Schubert has been a bonus big man at full Back. The others are utility players - Howard & Walker who can and have played all over the ground so far this year (trials included). We also got one pacy on baller in Ryswyck plus another experienced ruckman in O'Hara. Can't say we recruited too many of the same type IMO.

Port though did probably as well if not better in terms of "names" such as Baird and Morrison in the key possies plus Bullen and Lokan are proving to be great pickups to enhance the likes of Clayton and Waterhouse picked up last year. Although overall our recruits are certainly more experienced in terms of age, years played and AFL experience.

[Medium_Swede]

Disapointing effort from the Legs, shite start obviously cost them dearly.

Comprehensive report, nice work.

[Jimmy]

macca, is daniel lees still at port?

[Magpiespower]

Wanganeen back to the Power next week?

Guess it all depends on Sunday.

[Rik E Boy]

9 goals strart!! You're not going to win games giving the oppo nine goals start. I could hear Booney chuckling from 2000 miles away. Well done macca, Well done Port..er..not so well done Norwood. We needed a good start and didn't get it.

regards,

REB

[Macca19]

Im unsure about Daniel Less Jimmy. He played basically all the trial games but has fallen off the face of the earth. Isnt listed as an injury and I havent heard anything that hes not at the club anymore. Might have to ask around.

Swede - I do take extra notice of Power listed players. However, his ruckwork was great in the first half and he was one of the main players in getting Norwood back in the match in the second quarter. Quite a number of times he found Lewis or Brunoli running out of the centre. Smith beat him around the ground though and had the better second half. Jesse Aish also had a strong second half after having a terrible first half.

[RustyCage]

Daniel Lees has taken a break from footy for a while. Not sure when coming back. His band is playing at the Port Club tonight.

In other Port player news:

Brodie Cahill and Craig Taylor have both transferred to Sturt.
Matthew Sinkunas, who played for the Pies a couple of years back before going back to the amateurs has joined South.

[Macca19]

Brodie Cahill!! Another one!! What the hell is going on.

[Booney]

9 goals strart!! You're not going to win games giving the oppo nine goals start. I could hear Booney chuckling from 2000 miles away. Well done macca, Well done Port..er..not so well done Norwood. We needed a good start and didn't get it.

regards,

REB

Didnt think I was that loud mate.

Great stuff Macca,you obviously take a note pad to the game,nobody could be so comprehensive going on memory alone.More to the point,all of your reviews so for this year have been right on the money.Easy for some one reviewing their own team,which is winning,to be biased,but you have been outstanding.Keep it up.

Wedgie,if you have any contacts you could just persuade them to read Macca's reviews and they could contact him via the site,never know who might read it.