Port v Glenelg Rd 17 2006
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:32 amFrom the Advertiser:
What a time to break a drought
DOUG ROBERTSON
PORT Adelaide hasn't lost to Glenelg in their past 10 encounters and it's no time to weaken when they clash at the Bay on Sunday.
Even the most narrow-minded Port fan would recognise the injury-hit Magpies will need a huge effort to get over the Tigers this time. But Port has built its enduring reputation on similar triumphs against the odds and there's no time like the present to add to the legend.
A finals spot probably hangs on the outcome.
Port will lose fourth place on the ladder on percentage if beaten on Sunday and it still must face Central District, the Eagles and North Adelaide - all higher on the premiership ladder - before the finals.
Glenelg is in a four-week groove which will not only dictate if it reaches the major round for the first time in seven seasons but whether or not it can claim the critical double-chance.
It has sixth-placed Norwood next and the Tigers play North, Central and South Adelaide before the finals so Glenelg must win on Sunday to force its claims. Win this critical game and, provided South upsets the Dogs, Glenelg will take a squatters' grip on third spot.
With tall forward Jeff Smith and rejected Crow Tom Redden coming in, Glenelg has the talent to exploit the Magpies' personnel losses. Young forward/midfielders Lindsay Thomas, Kyle Jenner, Steven Summerton and Peter Mann - with a handful of games between them - were called up with experienced defender Tom Carr. But Clive Waterhouse, Shayne Biacsi (both hamstring), Shane Morrison (thumb), Matt Gates and Mark Dolling are out.
Port is expected to always be hard at it physically but coach Tim Ginever is battling an alarming inconsistency in approach.
"Disappointingly, it's against the better teams - that's a worry," he said.
Port's structure is best with Corey AhChee in defence so Matt Lokan at half-forward and James Meiklejohn at the goalfront must fire to keep it stable.
Ivan Maric smashed North's rucks last week but Port lost by 72 points because of wasted possessions, Ginever said.
"I'm talking about guys who probably three weeks ago couldn't miss a target but (now) they couldn't even execute a drop punt," he said. "That's got to be mental preparation because you don't lose the ability to kick the ball. It's got to be concentration."
What a time to break a drought
DOUG ROBERTSON
PORT Adelaide hasn't lost to Glenelg in their past 10 encounters and it's no time to weaken when they clash at the Bay on Sunday.
Even the most narrow-minded Port fan would recognise the injury-hit Magpies will need a huge effort to get over the Tigers this time. But Port has built its enduring reputation on similar triumphs against the odds and there's no time like the present to add to the legend.
A finals spot probably hangs on the outcome.
Port will lose fourth place on the ladder on percentage if beaten on Sunday and it still must face Central District, the Eagles and North Adelaide - all higher on the premiership ladder - before the finals.
Glenelg is in a four-week groove which will not only dictate if it reaches the major round for the first time in seven seasons but whether or not it can claim the critical double-chance.
It has sixth-placed Norwood next and the Tigers play North, Central and South Adelaide before the finals so Glenelg must win on Sunday to force its claims. Win this critical game and, provided South upsets the Dogs, Glenelg will take a squatters' grip on third spot.
With tall forward Jeff Smith and rejected Crow Tom Redden coming in, Glenelg has the talent to exploit the Magpies' personnel losses. Young forward/midfielders Lindsay Thomas, Kyle Jenner, Steven Summerton and Peter Mann - with a handful of games between them - were called up with experienced defender Tom Carr. But Clive Waterhouse, Shayne Biacsi (both hamstring), Shane Morrison (thumb), Matt Gates and Mark Dolling are out.
Port is expected to always be hard at it physically but coach Tim Ginever is battling an alarming inconsistency in approach.
"Disappointingly, it's against the better teams - that's a worry," he said.
Port's structure is best with Corey AhChee in defence so Matt Lokan at half-forward and James Meiklejohn at the goalfront must fire to keep it stable.
Ivan Maric smashed North's rucks last week but Port lost by 72 points because of wasted possessions, Ginever said.
"I'm talking about guys who probably three weeks ago couldn't miss a target but (now) they couldn't even execute a drop punt," he said. "That's got to be mental preparation because you don't lose the ability to kick the ball. It's got to be concentration."
