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Resurgent Blues Power On

Blues v Power

By Shane Thiele March 15 2003
Although it's only a trial game if you are offered a choice of winning or losing you'd always take the former. To be honest I was getting sick of the "Who cares, it's only the pre-season" excuses ....

.... and as much as I tried to keep a lid on it, I must admit to getting a tad nervous there in the dying seconds. After winning only three games in 2002, I almost had to be restrained from running a lap of honour when the final siren sounded. How did it happen and what does it mean? Let's take a look.

Firstly only a win can make paying $10 a ticket, $4 for a pint, $2.70 for a cold pie, $3.50 for burnt chips and $2.80 for a bottle of water for the 'Mrs' worthwhile. I must admit I should have gone for the succulent stale hotdog but unfortunately I left my Visa card at home.

On top of that Football Park is the coldest place this side of Antarctica, not to mention those delightful hemorrhoid inducing aluminum seats. No wonder every second person brings a thermal rug and jacket.

A modest crowd of 5,600 attended what was the final hit-out before the main event in a fortnight's time. The Blues, give or take a couple of absentees, were at full strength whilst Port Adelaide were without the likes of Tredrea, James, Burgoyne, Wilson, Cockatoo-Collins, Schofield etc (I'll stop there!).

Enough scene setting and flower arranging. Lets get to the players.

Apologies for the tardiness but I'm sure you want to hear more about the actual players than worry about perfect grammar or really....good...adjectives. It was too cold to take notes, so please folks bare with me!

Without a doubt the big story of the night was the return of Anthony Koutoufides. Perhaps not the Kouta of the '99 Prelim but certainly not the Kouta of 2002 either. The knee brace has long gone and the confidence is slowly returning. Started on a half forward flank and struggled early on. Had a short stint on the ball but his best work was done in close around the packs. He had trouble chasing and turning but his burst of speed and clean hands won numerous possessions at the stoppages.

The debate about where to play him is over. Until he gains full mobility he will struggle to turn 180 degrees on a forward line, or keep up with an opponent down back. Like Ratten and Williams his brain and hands are as quick as ever hence the damage is still at a maximum. The longer the game went the better he looked. Had him responsible for at least 4 goals and he is still the key to the Blues chances.

Kouta though wasn't alone in what was an even team performance. The backline was rock solid and was lead by the usual culprits.

Andrew McKay and Simon Beaumont were impassable down back repelling numerous Power surges (Sorry it's been a while) and controlling each flank with ease. Port Adelaide had no avenue up forward other than Chad Cornes and both players thrived with the ball spending the majority of time on the deck. McKay moved better than he has since early 2002, and Beaumont was his usual solid self. Disposal by both was excellent and I can only recall one obvious mistake by foot from both players.

Matthew Lappin on a half back flank continued his good form from last week and was the Blues best player up until half time. On occasions he was caught 'trying to do too much' but his creativity from defense may be a wildcard in 2003.

Glenn Manton is a player whose time is probably limited in 2003 did a sold job down back on taller opponents. Found himself opposed to the resting ruckman in Primus and Brogan and his spoiling was a feature. Bret Thornton was OK in parts but did struggle when matched up on Chad Cornes.

A weakness in 2002 (one of many) was the midfield but I was most impressed by the desperation shown in the middle. A number of players rotated through with Barnaby French doing the majority of the ruckwork. He was competitive at every hitout and despite doing little around the ground more than held his own against Primus. His aggression and second efforts meant that Port had very few easy takeaways. An area which frustrated us all in the year just gone.

Simon Wiggins was a surprise starter 'in the guts' and until being sniped by Byron Pickett, was having an even dual with Nick Stevens. Unfortunately Wiggo let himself down in front of goal missing two or three easy shots, but he showed tonight that a midfield role is possibly not out of the question. Took a gutsy mark into a pack running with the flight of the ball which deserved more then just applause from one hysterical nutcase supporter!

Murph and Campo had their moments but at times let themselves down with poor decision making. Too often Murphy still looked for an in close option where as Camporeale on occasions found himself clear but failed to hit a leading target. From what I could see, it looked like Campo kept his mouth in check, however Murphy let himself down with a stupid 50m penalty and goal for disputing a decision. Both were OK, but can still be better.

Darren Hulme had a quiet one, starting in the forward pocket and after being toweled up by Wanganeen found himself warming the pine. Had a short run on the ball but struggled to find any of it.

Ratts was not the All-Australian champion we know of but still important in tight. Had Kane Cornes as his shadow for the night.

The forward line functioned well and although the scoreline is not huge there was clearly more system and cohesion than in the first two games of the season. Brendan Fevola did all that is expected of him. Apart from missing a sitter 20m out straight in front his seconds efforts, contesting and endeavor could not be faulted. On occasions he found himself behind in the marking contest but still managed to compete without giving away stupid free kicks.

Corey McKernan had the better of Wakelin (Shane or Darryl?, who cares at 2am!) and like Fevola missed a sitter before sinking a beautiful 50m bomb in the first quarter. After a quick stint in ruck he left the field with what at this stage seems to be a minor knee injury.

Ryan Houlihan won my praise on numerous occasions and unlike last year it wasn't for flashes of brilliance. On not one but two occasions he slung himself kamikaze like over an opposition's boot to effect a smother. One effort directly resulted in a turnover and goal that I made sure the whole stadium knew about.

Trent Sporn played the majority of the game on a half-forward flank and finished the night with two goals. His poise and failure to be knocked off a contest was excellent and ball handling very clean. Something that a number of players at the club lack.

Anthony Franchina spent the majority of the game on the bench. Started in the forward pocket replacing Hulme on Wanganeen. After faring no better he was again benched before returning for a short stint on the ball. Little influence.

Adrian Hickmott was a player who's future I feared but turned back the clock tonight. It was typical Hicky, something which doesn't need to be explained in a long and drawn out description. I'm realistic and I know it's a long season but my fingers are crossed that he can remain this fresh all year.

Lance Whitnall is a player I haven't seen since the Collingwood Wizard Cup match and apart from Kouta, his improvement was the highlight of the night. Struggled in the first half, but was thankfully left up forward. Worked his way into the game and finished with 3 goals. His mark against a pack of 5 defenders (It will be 11 before the night is finished) was pure genius and a pirouette goal to seal the game icing on the cake.

Simon Fletcher, tried hard, chased hard, tackled hard, did nothing. I'm disappointed that he got a run in front of many other's but if nothing else his 50m goal in the last quarter from Football Park's dead pocket was something special.

Andrew Merrington had limited game time and spent time reliving in ruck after McKernan was injured and French had a spell forward. Contested well and did take one or two strong pack marks......(Still can't play though!)

Jarrod Waite was the pick of our youngsters. I first saw Jarrod as a top-up player in the VFL back in 2001 and he's added strength and desperation to all the other attributes he showed that day. Came off the bench to be the third player tried on Wanganeen but did his best work in the last quarter around the clinches. I know the 'Kouta' word has been mentioned before and although it is a unfair comparison, it's easy to see where the likeness comes from. Was a key to Carlton's comeback in the last and can only remember one actual clanger where his mind and feet were working quicker than his hand to foot. Won praise for one or two Port supporters around me who also impressed with his game.

Ian Prendergast spent the majority of the time on the bench and had a short run down back. Did nothing to suggest he will fill the defensive hole at CHB.

One other player out of Livo, Davies, McCormick, Hedge and Fisher must have played but didn't see any of this quintet get a run.

There were many positives to take out of the game including the individual performances of many players as well as the obvious confidence that a win could bring. On the down side, Port did have players missing and we only just fell over the line. Still, a win's a win.

There is a lot of work to do, but the skies are opening. Pagan said it will take time and I believe him. Although most players performed well as an individual there was still plenty of work needed to ensure we gel as a cohesive unit. Our best side will worry most, but depth is the obvious problem. Thankfully we are generally injury free and in a much better state than this time 12 months ago.

The ability of the team to fight back from 14 points down in the last quarter was also a positive, especially considering the recent fadeouts against Collingwood and Richmond.

No doubt we'll probably get pumped at Stadium Australia and start talking wooden spoons again but until then remember.......You are only as good as your last game!