Other previewed clubs are: Western Bulldogs, Richmond Tigers, Geelong Cats, Fremantle Dockers, Carlton Blues, Essendon Bombers, St Kilda Saints, Melbourne Demons, Hawthorn Hawks, West Coast Eagles, Kangaroos, Brisbane Lions, Adelaide Crows, Sydney Swans & Collingwood Magpies. Introducing our last team preview, Port Power.
Daniel Motlop has shown great consistency to become one of the best medium forwards in the comp.
What Happened in 2008?
Last year was a terrible year for certain non Victorian teams in West Coast, Fremantle and Port Power who were all tipped to play finals. Port were in the Grand Final in 2007 and never looked likely of returning the great year. 2008 either means that Port were out played and over achieved in 2007 or that 2008 was a year from hell.
Westhoff, Tredrea, Brogan, Lade, the Cornes and Borgoyne brothers all under performed with injuries, performance and confidence. The good news was that players like Ebert, Motlop, Cassisi, Salopek & Rodan all matured from 2nd tier players to A listers for the Power.
Port Power always have had club membership issues which is a surprise to me personally as they brag about their tradition and history. Seems to me that their supporters would prefer to support the SAFL club than the AFL club.
Will Port Power be a Force again in 2009?
You would think so in looking at their list. Westhoff would be a much better player learning from his 2nd year horrors, Tredrea is able to focus on his game rather than leading the team and with these two in form, their forward line could be one of the most dangerous in the competition along side Motlop, Ebert, Gray, Pearce all capable of being game breakers.
History will tell us that one club outside of the top 8 will most likely make the next years top 4. The problem is that Carlton and Richmond are also thinking along the same lines. What Port has in their favour is they are an even side, no one has a real expectation of them this year and the coach Williams has great pressure on him to perform or he may be out of a job next year.
Likely Finish: 6th to 11th
Players to Watch
Travis Boak - Continued to impress in his second season in 2008, won the club’s most-improved player award, despite missing five games with injury. Spent time in the midfield – notably racking up 28 touches against St Kilda in round 19 and is likely to play there more often this year.
Steven Salopek was a top ten draft pick. He has taken his time & needs to stamp his class on the game.
Nathan Krakouer – Added just three AFL games to the 11 he played in 2007. Has started to add weight to his thin frame and will be targeting a senior position on a half back flank were he starred in the pre seasons NAB cup.
Need to Improve
Warren Tredrea - Was serviceable in 2008, kicking 31 goals. While not the regular match-winner he once was, is an important part of Port’s forward structure. He relinquished the captaincy and signed a one-year deal for this season. Must lift if he wants to play again in 2010.
Steven Salopek - Has class and leadership qualities oozing from him but simply must play full seasons, keeps on being injured which is a worry as Port try and build a midfield around him.
List Cloggers
Josh Carr - He is not the player he once was. The one thing he has in his favour is that most player star when released from Fremantle but his pace, discipline and game impact was well down last year and I doubt whether he will spend too long on Port’s list.
Troy Chaplin - Was tipped to be the rock down back after Wakelins retirement in 2008 and while has showed plenty, really has not done enough to show he is going to be the CHB that Port need.
What do you expect of Port Power in 2009?
Can Williams hang onto his job or is it all a plan to go to Collingwood in 2010? Port have the necessary building blocks to be a surprise in 2009 and make the finals. However hunger and their defense will remain the question. So do you think they will make the finals or spend more time down the bottom of the ladder?
Loading ...
