Until the start of the 2010 season on 25th March 2010 we will review in depth every 16 clubs. We started off with Fremantle, then the Bulldogs, the Kangaroos and Collingwood. Last week we have looked at Richmond, Sydney, the West Coast Eagles, Essendon and Melbourne. This week we start off with Geelong, we then previwed St Kilda, Adelaide, Hawthorn and today Port Adelaide.
After Kick2Kick reviews each club, we will give their full season 2010 predictions like we did last year. If you would like to write or help out with Kick2Kick, please contact us.
What Happened Last Year
The last two years have been low for Port Adelaide, they always tended to struggle for bums on seats but the last two years it has been woeful with some home crowds slipping below 20,000. On top of that they have lost the majority of their games and not to mention the unstable nature between the board, the coach and even the choice of captaincy.
Dean Brogan is without his ruck buddy Lade in 2010, how will that affect Port and their drive through the midfield?
It did not get any better on field with Shaun Burgoyne walking and several other stars in Lade, P Burgoyne retiring.
The New Season
Ex Kangaroos coach, the master tactician Dean Laidley has joined the coaching staff which will help Mark Williams and you can already see a difference with Port winning 2 out of four games in the pre season by playing a style that shows they can be a team to watch.
Newer players like Mitch Banner, Cameron Hitchcook and recycled players Jay Schulz, Scott Harding & Cameron Cloke have given a fresh breath of air that will flow through the club.
Likely Finish: 10th – 14th
Players to Watch
Mitch Banner - Plays a bit like Josh Carr of old with a hardness but also has the polish and style to run forward and kick goals. Like Hitchcook will feature in many dreamteams. Played senior football last year at 19.
Cameron Hitchcook - This guy has been a revelation in the pre season competition where he started off with 5 goals and a host of tackles. Naturally he took every dreamteam coaches attention and he has now received a senior spot ahead of Cameron Cloke and other rookies. He looks exciting.
Robert Gray - Port have talked this guy up since his debut in 2007 and last year we saw why with 20 games and 30 goals and an average of 73 dreamteam points. Had the first few weeks off for an appendix in season 2010 but with his limited pre season, he already looks like he has not missed a beat.
Bench Warmers
Josh Carr - Came back home to Port after a few years at Fremantle to get to his 200th game but playing for Fremantle has ruined his style of play from a hard man to a thug who falls over at every contest looking for free kicks. Hartlett, Banner and other midfielders will take his spot in the best 22 and unless there are injuries, expect him to play bit roles on and off the bench.
Matthew Westhoff - Skinny like his brother but what will worry Port as they look for a replacement for Warren Tredrea is that he wasa dropped to the SANFL reserves struggling at SANFL level let alone AFL level.
Kane Cornes - Too slow for the midfield and not creative enough to play on the forward or back flank. Will have a new lease of life for the year on the forward flank tagging the ‘sweeping quarterback’ player but its obvious pre season form alone that 2010 may be his last.
Need to Improve
Justin Westhoff – Bounced from a late pick (#71) to a star in the making in 2007 to follow up with two quite years ruined by a stress fracture in 2009 and poor form in 2008. Tredrea cannot have a refresh ‘blast from the past‘ year like he did last year, so its up to the Westhoff to bounce back to his 2007 form.
Has played ruck in the pre season and while he has shown enough around the ground, it does leave the forward line weaker.
Chad Cornes - An All Australian but has been injured and performing below his best for the last two years. It may help if he can find a role on the field he can play for the whole year. I think for team balance, in the forward line will suit him best as he can kick and mark.
Danyle Pearce - A Damaging forward midfielder when on song but disappears when a tag is placed on him. Whether he needs to work harder or get help from his team mates, he needs to improve especially as they need his pace and carry with the Burgoyne brothers moving on.
Your Thoughts
What Port Adelaide team will show up in 2010? The team that got flogged by Collingwood in round four of the NAB or the team that got within a goal of the eventual pre season premiership team the Bulldogs? Will Mark Williams stick to coaching now with Dean Laidley helping him out? Or is it justa case of weirdo’s seeking each other out and Port will become the loopy club?
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