PAFC 2025

[Booney]

A week is a long time in football they say.

On the back of the 91 point drubbing from Collingwood the week before Port Adelaide returned home to Adelaide Oval hosting the very young Richmond side having it's first road trip together and while the expectation was Port would bounce back we needed to see it happen, regardless off the opposition, and that's what unfolded as Port Adelaide ran out victors by 72 points on balmy Autumn afternoon.

The first surprise of the day and much to my disappointment was no bar outside on the terrace outside the Home Ground Bar *gasp*, all is well as the bar still had refreshing ales on offer. The second surprise was Willi Rioli starting at the first centre bounce and in fact remaining there for much of the day.

Against an inexperienced line up we had the chance to test the new game plan we've heard about over summer and while the plan looked different sadly the personnel we wanted to look at quickly changed as Jack Lukosius injured his knee inside the first few minutes and will miss some months as he recovers, best wishes to you, Jack. The injury toll is mounting and there has to be concerns it could derail a campaign before it begins.

The new plan was stress tested and failed at the MCG but it became apparent at home very quickly as the ball flicked around through uncontested passages of play. 6.6 to 1.3 at quarter time and the game was one sided in all aspects.

One pleasing sign was the pressure applied to the opposition, frustratingly low last week it lifted as Port registered 52 tackles for the match ( only 43 last week ) and went at the opposition instead of chasing them. 13 goals at half time and the game is all but over with Richmond struggling to win any meaningful possession as Port ran riot, 6 goals from shots on the run showing that open, uncontested play had players alone inside forward 50 on the turn over in positions to take easy shots on goal.

116 more touches at half time and Rioli, still starting in the centre square has 3 goals. He'd get involved in the middle then drift forward allowing Mead and Burgoyne to take his match up in the midfield allowing both of them to gain more access to the ball ( 32 and 30 touches ). On several occasions he found himself unattended inside 50 and a clear tactic from the coaches box worked a treat.

The second half, as expected with a 65 point half time lead, didn't reach any great heights and what could/should have been a 100+ point win spluttered along to a 72 point final margin. Given the massive percentage loss in the first round I would have liked to see them put the foot on the throat but a wins, a wins, a win. The numbers are glaring, 478 disposals ( avg 344 in 2024 ) 353 uncontested ( avg 203 in 2024 ) showing the willing to move the ball out of the contest to outside run and carry the ball forward at pace. Let's see how it holds up across the year but it won't be a factor if the pressure doesn't come with it.

Christian Moraes in his debut showed some real poise, a genuine wingman frame and some silky skills ( 94% disposal efficiency ) showed he's up to the level and his social media content from the club certainly endeared him to the Port faithful. Welcome, Christian.

Captain Rozee was outstanding, 39 touches, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50's and 12 score involvements. You can add 3 votes to that.

Boons best - Rozee, Burgoyne, Farrell, Powell-Pepper, Rioli, Drew

[Booney]

Oh. No.

[carey]

Oh. No.

???????

[MW]

Imma guess the Rat is in

[mots02]

Imma guess the Rat is in

Almost deserving of a stand alone review.

[Spargo]

Imma guess the Rat is in

Almost deserving of a stand alone review.

Lindsay Thomas areas…

[Brodlach]

This. Is. Fantastic!

Go the Ratkins.

[mots02]

Imma guess the Rat is in

Almost deserving of a stand alone review.

Lindsay Thomas areas…

These are unprecedented areas

[amber_fluid]

Imma guess the Rat is in

Almost deserving of a stand alone review.

Lindsay Thomas areas…

These are unprecedented areas

You get what you deserve……….

[Mr Beefy]

Robert DiPierdomenico

Simon Prestigiacomo wasn't a bad big name player

Sent from my CPH2557 using Tapatalk

[beef]

Channel 7 reported last night that Tommy Cochrane was a chance
Would be great to see him get a game as i had a little bit to do with him
Great kid who has dealt with a lot growing up
Never thought he would make an AFL list but has worked hard and developed massively over the last couple years

[carey]

Channel 7 reported last night that Tommy Cochrane was a chance
Would be great to see him get a game as i had a little bit to do with him
Great kid who has dealt with a lot growing up
Never thought he would make an AFL list but has worked hard and developed massively over the last couple years

I coached the lad at Centrals a couple of years ago, absolute bull with a great work ethic. I'd love to see him get a game.

[Brodlach]

Robert DiPierdomenico

Simon Prestigiacomo wasn't a bad big name player

Sent from my CPH2557 using Tapatalk

Was an awesome player though, the true human glove.

Wouldn’t get a game in this era though

[Lightning McQueen]

Robert DiPierdomenico

Simon Prestigiacomo wasn't a bad big name player

Sent from my CPH2557 using Tapatalk

I can hear Dennis Cometti's voice in my head say his name for some reason.

Sent from my laptop using Keyboard.

[Armchair expert]

What is the deal with Tredders?

[Booney]

What is the deal with Tredders?

You want to go down that rabbit hole? ( Entertainment - Podcast thread )

[mots02]

What is the deal with Tredders?

Tucker Tredrea

[Brodlach]

What is the deal with Tredders?

COVID vaccine messed with his head.

[MW]

I "met" Tredders once and once was more than enough. Struggle to think of a more self centered, arrogant person I have met before. I was having a conversation with a mate and Tredders butts in and takes it over, and anything anyone said was ignored. F..khead.

[Booney]

Channel 7 reported last night that Tommy Cochrane was a chance
Would be great to see him get a game as i had a little bit to do with him
Great kid who has dealt with a lot growing up
Never thought he would make an AFL list but has worked hard and developed massively over the last couple years

I coached the lad at Centrals a couple of years ago, absolute bull with a great work ethic. I'd love to see him get a game.

He's in, rookie draft pick #13 in for his debut.