by Booney » Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:49 am
No choccies, but it was all Rozee in Brisbane.
3 games, 3 slow starts, we need to quickly address the manner in which we’re starting matches at the moment, in the end it was, among other factors, part of what cost us on Saturday night. Brisbane had 4 goals on the board inside 12 minutes as they out gunned us on the outside creating space inside their forward 50 allowing the dangerous Hipwood to lead up at the ball carrier, mark, turn around and goal.
If not for Rozee ( more on him later ) bagging two and Ryder settling down over one late in the quarter we could have / would have been much further behind that 12 points at ¼ time. 4 of the last 5 centre clearances had Port winning the battle for territory late in the quarter, other than that last 5 minutes or so the game really was played on Brisbane’s terms, impressive ball movement to forwards prepared to lead at the ball carrier and not back into cheap kick territory. All of their goals came from play started in their back half, that’s 4 coast to coast majors because swift ball movement didn’t allow Port’s team defence to set up. Impressive from the Lion cubs. A mare of a quarter for Dougal Howard upon his return, he’s in 3 contests and gives up 3 goals.
Things changed pretty quickly to start the second, 3 free’s inside 50 for Port as the nervous Lions gave away two majors ( one to Rozee in the first ) inside 5 minutes to get us back in the game. From there, we literally shot ourselves in the foot for the next 20 minutes. Westhoff misses from point blank range, Ebert misses from 40, Gray misses two kickable ones, Ebert misses on the run and Gray sprays another, 6 very kickable goals ( 4 inexcusable misses ) and Port’s domination in the middle led by Boak and Powell-Pepper goes unrewarded. 2.7 for the quarter and that man again, Hipwood, pops up with 2 goals in junk time and it’s 13 points at half time. I reckon the game was won and lost here.
It was déjà vu all over again to start the third, free kick to Boak followed by a 50 and Port get the first. Rozee soon snaps another for his third, gets a fourth and could have had a fifth right after and Port are now controlling Brisbane’s run. Pushing the Lions from side to side across the expanses of the ‘Gabba we get our zone set up. Clurey is the deepest defender, Jonas playing his intercept role, Burton getting up onto the wing, Boak and Powell-Pepper feeding off Lycett and Ryder and Wines has locked down on Neale, in the centre clearances, anyway.
If not for Hipwood, again, McStay up front and Walker down back Port would have been closer than 7 points at ¾ time. Port have been on top now for the best part of an hour but haven’t been able to crack them open. The Lions have more substance now. Losing Rockliff might come back to hurt us in the midfield rotations later in the game. ( It did ).
The numbers game keep going Port’s way, 17 centre clearances to 6 at the start of the last as Boak bags his second, Rozee leaps high, kicks truly and gets his fifth in what must be the performance that win’s him this week’s Rising Star nomination. 21 touches, 7 marks (3 Inside 50) and 5 goals. Some of his movements have been compared to Wanganeen, you can see similarities, there’s no higher praise than being compared to Gavin Wanganeen and this kid looks a gem. The best number 20 for Port since Dean Brogan? #chadwho
Brisbane then lock it inside their forward 50, for 5 minutes it’s in their territory and McCluggage gets them reward for effort before Wines and Ryder ( with his third ) gives Port a 10 point lead with under 15 minutes to go. Now, whether it be Brisbane’s willingness to keep running, Port running out of legs or trying to hold onto the ball or a combination of all three the momentum quickly swung in Brisbane’s favour. Neale was getting it in the middle, Zorko was getting it forward of centre and Port couldn’t get it out of our back half.
The weight of entries took it’s toll as Cameron ( wouldn’t have known he was out there for the first 95 minutes ), McInerney and Hipwood with his sixth major put the game to bed. Really disappointing end to what was a quality contest between two young sides who show some dash and dare coupled with maturity in the back half from the likes of Clurey and Jonas for Port and Hodge and Walker for Brisbane.
What I liked – Rozee, how couldn’t you? SPP, perhaps his best game at AFL level (29 touches at 72%, 7 clearances (5 centre), 11 I50’s ), Boak continues his great early season form ( 35, 7 clearances, 2 goals ).
What I didn’t – Selection, Sam Gray had no impact, Howard cost us early before fighting back later on and no impact from Motlop and Drew who seemed to be a little lost in his outside role.
Boon’s best – Rozee, Powell-Pepper, Boak, Ryder, Burton
PAFC. Forever.
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