by Booney » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:56 pm
As valleys was tied up at a prior engagement I’ll do my best to deputise in his notable absence from the match and post game summary.
Essendon’s scouts did their homework on Port by closely reviewing the Adelaide game, there is no doubt. Both sides stifled the Port run by not allowing the “out the back” player to be free.
As Adelaide managed to keep key playmakers in Hartlett, Broadbent and Polec quiet, so too did Essendon. What this then did was apply more pressure on the likes of Boak, Wines and Ebert to win contested ball and use it well inside the contest as opposed to the dish to outside runners and those who sit behind the midfield contests, mainly the three mentioned above ( Hartlett, Broadbent and Polec )
Essendon also tackled with constant endeavour to add physical and perceived pressure to Port’s midfield.
Again, Wingard and Monfries had a quiet night in conditions that you would think would have suited both players. Herein lies the reason I think they have both been quiet, Trengove going down. From half time of the Adelaide game any moment in time where the opponent has had the run of play Port have had to send Westhoff back. Now this is not strange, but over the last 12 weeks it hasn’t been too often that he has had to go back there as Trengove has been foiling forward sorties from the opposition and creating ground balls for the likes of Hartlett, Broadbent and Polec to gather while Ebert, Boak and others spread to create run forward.
So now the back half is under pressure, the midfield can’t spread as hard and because of that there’s more contested ball and less uncontested to utilise our run. More contested ball, more body on body and are much publicised last half run is stifled through sheer physical pressure.
Ports best :
Robbie Gray – Stood out with his clean hands and stoppage work ( 30 disposals, 4 clearances, 2 tackles, 1 goal, 3 I50 ) on a night made for the little blokes. He’s been the real standout for Port this year with consistent efforts in almost every match. He gets attention, every week, but he is shining in his role playing further up the ground as a now mid/forward as opposed to a forward/mid.
Hamish Harlett – I know I mentioned above his influence was limited ( 29 disposal, 8 clearances, 1 R50, 5 I50 ) and his numbers suggest he had a solid game, he did. The real stat there is the 1 rebound 50, he’s been closer to 3 or 4 a week and having the midfield under pressure drew him away from the D50 where he has done much of his best work.
Cam O’Shea – In a good sign for Port O’Shea had arguably his best game at AFL level. ( 28 disposal, 7 R50, 5 I50 ) Coming in to cover the loss of Trengove/Carlile he stood up and showed he can play solid defensive footy. His disposal efficiency ( 67% ) although not competition best was perhaps above average for a bloke who can be suspect by foot. He made sure his spot was safe for the nextg two weeks at least.
Travis Boak – Again led from the front and won some important touches in the third quarter ( along with R.Gray ) to get Port back in the contest. 22 disposals, 2 clearances, 3 I50 and a goal are not massive numbers, but he was there when Port needed a player to get a hand in and spoil a Essendon clearance or take a mark outside a stoppage. One of the few mids to work hard all night a spread when he had a chance.
Of the remainder Jack Hombsch was sound, as was Jonas and Ollie Wines.
Port won possessions, contested possessions, clearances, hit outs, I50, had 25 shots to 22. Essendon laid 96 tackles to 62. That all reads like a Port win, more of the ball, Essendon chased all night. Not so.
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!
