Port Adelaide 2018

[Brodlach]

From AFL.com.au

Ports best 22, if they play at their best they will be hard to hold out. Too many ifs for my liking

B: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas
HB: Hamish Hartlett, Jack Hombsch, Matthew Broadbent
C: Steven Motlop, Ollie Wines, Jared Polec
HF: Travis Boak, Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard
F: Sam Gray, Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray
Foll: Paddy Ryder, Tom Rockliff, Brad Ebert
I/C: Jasper Pittard, Jack Watts, Karl Amon, Sam Powell-Pepper

DEPTH

General defenders: Riley Bonner, Dan Houston, Emmanuel Irra, Trent McKenzie
Key defenders: Dougal Howard, Jarrod Lienert
Midfielders: Joe Atley, Dom Barry, Willem Drew, Kane Farrell, Joel Garner, Cam Hewett, Jake Patmore, Jack Trengove, Jimmy Toumpas, Will Snelling
General forwards: Aidyn Johnson, Jake Neade, Lindsay Thomas
Key forwards: Todd Marshall
Ruckmen: Billy Frampton, Sam Hayes, Peter Ladhams

NOTES: It's an embarrassment of riches for Power coach Ken Hinkley after the off-season additions of Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop and Jack Watts. All three go straight into the best 22. I couldn't find room for promising key defender Dougal Howard or half-back flanker Dan Houston. Both players can consider themselves unlucky after strong form at the end of the year, but I've gone with the more experienced Jack Hombsch, Matthew Broadbent and Jasper Pittard. I've also left out North Melbourne veteran Lindsay Thomas, but he'll be challenging strongly for a spot in the star-studded forward line. Expect to see Rockliff, Motlop, captain Travis Boak and Chad Wingard rotate through the midfield and half-forward. Three-time All Australian Robbie Gray can also be used in bursts on the ball. - Lee Gaskin

[valleys07]

Howard absolutely replaces Hombsch at CHB. Hombsch is more suited to the 3rd tall/intercept than a key post. Houston replaces Broadbent, who will struggle to get games next year I feel.

[Jim05]

Defence looks their weakest area on paper. Very formidable midfield and a pretty good forward line.

[Brodlach]

Not sure about Westoff at CHF.

If Dixon gets injured the forward line looks a little sparse

[amber_fluid]

Not sure about Westoff at CHF.

If Dixon gets injured the forward line looks a little sparse

Surely they persist with Marshall or bring Watts in for Westhoff.

[valleys07]

Defence looks their weakest area on paper. Very formidable midfield and a pretty good forward line.

Not sure I agree with that. Defensively we were one of the best teams in the comp last year, with Essendon and Adelaide the only teams to really get a hold of us all year. Jonas in the AA 40, Clurey cemented his spot at FB and Howard showed all the signs of becoming a 10 year CHB.

Midfield looked decidedly one paced last year, so when teams got a hold of us in the contested stakes, it was game over. Rockliff will add forward versatility to allow Gray and Wingard more time through the midfield alongside Wines, Ebert and SPP, as well as Polec, Amon and Motlop adding speed on the wings, making our midfield more multidimensional.

I will back Watts to start at CHF. Should be competing with Westhoff for a spot.

As for Marshall, it will depend on whether Ken wants to play a 3 tall forward line. Considering what the past 2 premiership teams have won flags with, Dixon and Watts/Westhoff will be all we should start with, IMO.

[bennymacca]

Defence looks their weakest area on paper. Very formidable midfield and a pretty good forward line.

Not sure I agree with that. Defensively we were one of the best teams in the comp last year, with Essendon and Adelaide the only teams to really get a hold of us all year. Jonas in the AA 40, Clurey cemented his spot at FB and Howard showed all the signs of becoming a 10 year CHB.

Midfield looked decidedly one paced last year, so when teams got a hold of us in the contested stakes, it was game over. Rockliff will add forward versatility to allow Gray and Wingard more time through the midfield alongside Wines, Ebert and SPP, as well as Polec, Amon and Motlop adding speed on the wings, making our midfield more multidimensional.

I will back Watts to start at CHF. Should be competing with Westhoff for a spot.

As for Marshall, it will depend on whether Ken wants to play a 3 tall forward line. Considering what the past 2 premiership teams have won flags with, Dixon and Watts/Westhoff will be all we should start with, IMO.

Maybe too many lock down defenders in that back 6? doesnt really strike fear into opposition teams that they are going to intercept and then rebound

Second tall forward is still an issue, until Marshall is a regular which might not be this year.

Midfield looks very good though, one of the best when you think players like boak gray and wingard might not even start there.

[Pistol Pete]

I really want to see more of Marshall. Any year older, more bulk and he will start to come along.

[Rik E Boy]

Watts couldn't get a gig at Melbourne and he walks straight into the Power's best 22. Plenty of hype about this side but this observer is skeptical.

regards,

REB

[Booney]

Watts couldn't get a gig at Melbourne and he walks straight into the Power's best 22. Plenty of hype about this side but this observer is skeptical.

regards,

REB

At best!

[Booney]

JASON Cripps will remain at Port Adelaide as list manager, the former Saint having decided not to pursue a senior position at St Kilda.

Cripps, a former St Kilda player and assistant coach, was among the candidates for a senior role in St Kilda’s football department, which could be revamped following the exit from the Saints of incoming Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains.

The Saints will hire someone to replace Bains — who was chief operating officer and was involved in football and commercial operations — but club sources said they had not decided whether they would create a new position as head of football or appoint someone to a different football role in another structure.

If a senior football department head is appointed, he would sit above St Kilda football manager Jamie Cox.

Recruiting manager Tony Elshaug is contracted for next year and will remain in that role, while three of his recruiting staff also are contracted for 2018.

Wayne Hughes, the former recruiting boss at Carlton and a member of St Kilda’s recruitment team, has been offered a part time role.

Cripps is said to be happy at Port, which showed faith in the former Saint and were supportive of him after he suffered a heart attack in 2015.

[Wedgie]

New pre season Guernsey looks good, they should **** off turquoise from all their jumpers.

[MW]

New pre season Guernsey looks good, they should **** off turquoise from all their jumpers.

That's what they've been doing over the last 10 years. Teal has turned into royal blue. Only a matter of time until it goes altogether. Eddie McGuire is the only person standing in their way.

[Wedgie]

New pre season Guernsey looks good, they should **** off turquoise from all their jumpers.

That's what they've been doing over the last 10 years. Teal has turned into royal blue. Only a matter of time until it goes altogether. Eddie McGuire is the only person standing in their way.

They've never worn royal blue, it's turquoise. Suppose to be teal though.

[Dutchy]

JASON Cripps will remain at Port Adelaide as list manager, the former Saint having decided not to pursue a senior position at St Kilda.

Cripps, a former St Kilda player and assistant coach, was among the candidates for a senior role in St Kilda’s football department, which could be revamped following the exit from the Saints of incoming Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains.

The Saints will hire someone to replace Bains — who was chief operating officer and was involved in football and commercial operations — but club sources said they had not decided whether they would create a new position as head of football or appoint someone to a different football role in another structure.

If a senior football department head is appointed, he would sit above St Kilda football manager Jamie Cox.

Recruiting manager Tony Elshaug is contracted for next year and will remain in that role, while three of his recruiting staff also are contracted for 2018.

Wayne Hughes, the former recruiting boss at Carlton and a member of St Kilda’s recruitment team, has been offered a part time role.

Cripps is said to be happy at Port, which showed faith in the former Saint and were supportive of him after he suffered a heart attack in 2015.

Or in other words, was told he would not get the job

[MW]

But no, he chose to stay and not take the promotion

[Ruben Carter]

New pre season Guernsey looks good, they should **** off turquoise from all their jumpers.

That's what they've been doing over the last 10 years. Teal has turned into royal blue. Only a matter of time until it goes altogether. Eddie McGuire is the only person standing in their way.

They've never worn royal blue, it's turquoise. Suppose to be teal though.

Who actually gives a f#ck about what you call a color? Seriously

[valleys07]

JASON Cripps will remain at Port Adelaide as list manager, the former Saint having decided not to pursue a senior position at St Kilda.

Cripps, a former St Kilda player and assistant coach, was among the candidates for a senior role in St Kilda’s football department, which could be revamped following the exit from the Saints of incoming Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains.

The Saints will hire someone to replace Bains — who was chief operating officer and was involved in football and commercial operations — but club sources said they had not decided whether they would create a new position as head of football or appoint someone to a different football role in another structure.

If a senior football department head is appointed, he would sit above St Kilda football manager Jamie Cox.

Recruiting manager Tony Elshaug is contracted for next year and will remain in that role, while three of his recruiting staff also are contracted for 2018.

Wayne Hughes, the former recruiting boss at Carlton and a member of St Kilda’s recruitment team, has been offered a part time role.

Cripps is said to be happy at Port, which showed faith in the former Saint and were supportive of him after he suffered a heart attack in 2015.

Or in other words, was told he would not get the job

Fine by me.

Crippa >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Daylight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Clayton.

[Booney]

PORT ADELAIDE welcomed world-class strength and conditioning coach Brett Bartholomew to Alberton today to provide the playing group with a different perspective on their pre-season training.

Bartholomew and Port Adelaide’s Head of High Performance Ian McKeown struck up a strong relationship in Phoenix, where the pair met many years ago at a strength and conditioning conference.

The two have been in regular contact throughout the years, and the American strength and conditioning guru said he was excited to be involved with the Power for a day, in their open environment.

“A lot of times in high performance it is heavily siloed but here it speaks to Ian McKeown and the Port Adelaide Football Club– there are no secrets, it’s an open door,” Bartholomew told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“It’s not just about what they do but how they do it.

“That is perhaps how they separate themselves from any other sporting culture or organisation that I have seen.”

Bartholomew was blown away by the strength and power of the playing group, combined with their ‘elite’ aerobic endurance.

“When watching these guys take everything in their stride – their engine is inexorable,” he said.

“The endurance and the qualities that come with that, and the level of resilience they have speaks to the culture and values at Port Adelaide.”

McKeown was equally as thrilled to have Bartholomew join the football department for the day, and said it is great to have someone with Bartholomew’s experience bringing a fresh set of eyes to the group.

“He is very much an expert in his field. He is an internationally renowned strength coach, adjunct professor, and he’s also an acclaimed author,” McKeown said.

“It’s great to get that lateral or left-of-field opinion of what we are doing, and it also keeps us on our toes as well.

“We want to be seen as one of the best programs in the world, and there is no better marker than getting information from Brett.”

[MW]

Interesting comments by Watts saying Port are in a better position to win the flag than Melbourne.
Treloar 2.0?
When do Port play Melbourne next year?