My thoughts on the game.

[Gershwin]

I just want to check this against what other people think.

I think a major turning point of the game was when Hill and NWM suffered leg injuries. They appear to be not serious, but I thought they both faded out of the game after the first quarter. They were very influential up to that stage.

It doesn’t seem to get mentioned.

[axcellence]

To me, it was the perfect storm.

Depleted team
Short break
Etc.
Port’s great record at Marvel
Recent history against defensive teams, eg just beat Sydney at the SCG.
Perfect match up failures. Both Membrey and McCartin (when he was at St kilda) used to struggle against Aliir due to his height and reach. The team didn’t plan or have options to beat tall Port defenders like that.

It’s a blessing if the coaches/team learn from this loss and make some changes

Overall, Port is reminding me of Richmond who had some surprise wins in 2017 (?) to then win the premiership.

Ross needs to blood Heath now…. And stop it with too many chances for Cordy.

[SaintPav]

They also lost Dursma.

[WellardSaint]

Robby Gray was out too

[Jacks Back]

We don't have too many out any more.
King - for sure,
Billings - probably
Jones - maybe
Webster - possibly

No one else really that would be best 22 I don't think.

[amusingname]

Robby Gray was out too

Very much out, retired out.

[Teflon]

I just want to check this against what other people think.

I think a major turning point of the game was when Hill and NWM suffered leg injuries. They appear to be not serious, but I thought they both faded out of the game after the first quarter. They were very influential up to that stage.

It doesn’t seem to get mentioned.

It’s interesting
Port went man on man and just kicked through our zone
Loss of Hill NWM run hampers our ability to get uncontested marks …which dried up and so did our end to end run

[1965 Saint]

We lost because of the howlers in the backline

[Devilhead]

We lost because of the howlers in the backline

And forwardline - why Pou went around the corner from 30m in front of the sticks is unfathomable for such a good drop punt kick

And then straight after Membrey passing it off and not having a shot from 50

These 2 brainfade moments sparked the collapse

[Teflon]

We lost because of the howlers in the backline

And forwardline - why Pou went around the corner from 30m in front of the sticks is unfathomable for such a good drop punt kick

And then straight after Membrey passing it off and not having a shot from 50

These 2 brainfade moments sparked the collapse

I think Steele HTB when we were streaming forward after kicking one hurt…

[Devilhead]

That was last quarter?

He took the advantage and got run down by Butters I think

We made a lot of dumb decisions

[SaintPav]

Robby Gray was out too

Very much out, retired out.

Gavin Wanganeen was also missing.

[Otiman]

Port turned the physicality up and we didn't or couldn't respond. You can disect the structures but it came down to how physical they were in the contests.

[scallopsroe]

We were playing like millionaires early second quarter and got caught out by a side that got a sniff of a contest.
We got back into the game in the third quarter but made too many errors at critical times after half time.

[wally]

To me it seemed we got a bit cocky and played around too much toward the end of the first I think we lost the hard edge and let them work their way back into it A bit of luck in the last and we could have won but too many bombs to them.

[Yorkeys]

We lost because of the howlers in the backline

Yep.
And they out muscled us a bit, often. Overall stronger bodies.

[Scollop]

We were playing like millionaires early second quarter and got caught out by a side that got a sniff of a contest.
We got back into the game in the third quarter but made too many errors at critical times after half time.

Love the roe on those scallops, but you gotta have freshness...similar to the team you put out on the park - if they're not fresh they lack firmness and bounce

[samuraisaint]

If Max had played, or if Caminiti had played, we win Friday night.

[shanegrambeau]

I think Port had significant injuries plus an early loss in the first or second quarter 'subbed out player)

What RTB said in the presser is good and nice etc., but seriously, we must not forget that behind our memes of 'still getting better' or 'We'll get better', Port Adelaide are suddenly much better.

Point being..if we get better, well and good, but if other teams are getting better too, or are discovered to be better than anyone thought, we go down the ladder and the losses start piling on.

I think we are miles better then 2022, because of Owens and Cam already, but there will be some players who level off and there will certainly be other teams which are better. Both Adelaide teams for a start, Essendon and even Gold Coast. One game at a time.

[Bruce G McAbee]

We lost because of the howlers in the backline

And forwardline - why Pou went around the corner from 30m in front of the sticks is unfathomable for such a good drop punt kick

And then straight after Membrey passing it off and not having a shot from 50

These 2 brainfade moments sparked the collapse

I just wonder if that long shot at goal against Carlton where Pou totally fluffed it had spooked him a little.

[shanegrambeau]

We lost because of the howlers in the backline

And forwardline - why Pou went around the corner from 30m in front of the sticks is unfathomable for such a good drop punt kick

And then straight after Membrey passing it off and not having a shot from 50

These 2 brainfade moments sparked the collapse

I just wonder if that long shot at goal against Carlton where Pou totally fluffed it had spooked him a little.

Both decisions may be confidence affected, particularly Membrey deciding to pass.
Kicking around the body, even directly in front, from a set shot, is now considered to be statistically safer than walking in straight. The thing is, the public doesn't think so, and so missing from 'around-the-corner' is not forgiven, whereas 'kicking-it-off-the-side' or 'hooking it' is more relatable to us punters, as we did it as kids all the time. (Except me, of course)

So i wouldn't call 'em brain fades, but they were both a bit spooked.