Can we beat Port Adelaide?

[Deano74 156]

This will be a season defining game imo.

We take on the ladder leaders and if we take the contest to them and push them all the way, we will gain so much from it going into the back end of the season.

We just know Roos will be demanding effort and pressure, its a given now which is what im enjoying most about the season thus far.

[GIRO 63]

No

[Guest]

If Roosy is still coaching to 80% of his capacity then no. The boys should be thinking they will win but as an outsider, I reckon that a solid, competitive mindset and approach will not be enough to beat Port. We need to focus on how we use the ball and countering their style of play (the two facets of the game that Roos has said he isn't concentrating on right now) in order to knock Port over.

Sure, tackling, desire, numbers around the clearances and pressure help. However, you need to have class, pinpoint disposal and elite finishing to knock off a team like the Power.

Expect a result similar to our loss against the Swans. We will frustrate them to distraction BUT their class and silk will get them over the line with a little bit left in the tank.

Edited May 25, 2014 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Ethan Tremblay 31,243]

Hmmm, they've just pulled off a convincing win against the hawks, seriously.......

Hawks were 6 senior players down and they won by a few kicks, convincing?

I have hope of a win, however can't see us being able to kick enough goals

[rpfc 28,911]

Yep, in fact I'm putting a "Rock Lobster" on it!

I have an "Ariel" feeling about this!!!!!!???

The 5th and 6th exclamation marks convinced me but then the three question marks really threw me.

Now I don't know if this game has an 'Ariel' feel to it...

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

The effort may be there, but we simply don't have the cattle to execute the skill level to match a side like Port at this stage.

If port play poorly, get on or two injuries which impacts rotations then we're a chance. Providing our intensity and skill level is sky high for the majority of the game.

But realistically, no.

[John Crow Batty 8,880]

YES!

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

Alice Springs forecast for Saturday - 22 degrees, light wind, 5% chance of rain and, if I'm reading it right, 33% humidity.

Perfect footy weather. Wish I was going to be there

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

No

[Demon Disciple 12,452]

Can we beat them?......................there's always a chance. Hell we beat the Crows in Adelaide. I'd give us less than a 1% chance.

Don't expect us to win, just want to see us give it a red hot crack for the full game, whatever the end margin may be.

The fact that it is scheduled for 1pm and not at night is farcical though.

[timD 994]

We can win. It is possible. But it will rely on a makeshift forward line playing at their best. I'm not concerned about Port's forwards - they can be handled. I'm worried that their midfield and defensive rebound will cut us to shreds. The hawks has long patches of dominance against Port. They had a number of opportunities to hurt port on turnovers and didn't. If we can bring the right defensive structure and discipline AND hurt them on turnovers, we are a shot.

i don't think our mids will be able to win enough ball or have the pace to guard the rebouding runners. For me, the most influential player was Polec. Wingard played 20 minutes of unstoppable footy and then didn't do much at all. Break even in the midfield, shut down the rebound/outside pace and we are in it up to our eyeballs.

[DeeMfc 621]

Port are full of confidence at the moment and dare I say it may go into this match over confident. Que the Paul Roos defensive strangle! If we can stop their game style for long enough from the start of the match frustration will creep in and anything can happen from there. Having said that, an absolutely massive team effort is required for that to transpire. Give em hell boys!!!

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

I'm looking for a competitive effort and an honourable defeat, with not too much damage to the percentage. Glad we're not playing them in the Cauldron.

[monoccular 17,643]

IMO a win would be incredibly unlikely but would be a major coup and an enormous step forward.

We have heard the word competitive far too much in recent times but a competitive performance would be a big plus

GO DEES

[pitmaster 3,589]

I'm looking for a competitive effort and an honourable defeat, with not too much damage to the percentage. Glad we're not playing them in the Cauldron.

That comes later this year. This is our MCG game we have given up.

[jnrmac 20,276]

Hartlett looks pretty certain to go. That is a big out for them...

We are a chance and have always played well against them in the NT from memory...

[Maggot 1977 263]

No - down by 22 points

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,018]

Imagine for a moment that it's 2013 and the question being posed on Demonland is: Can we beat the top of the ladder team in Round 11?

Now think about this year. We probably won't win, but isn't it nice to go into the week with that optimism that comes from being a competitive team again?

[Gippsland Dee 367]

Any team is beatable on their day, but I can't see us getting up

[praha 11,253]

They run very very well and very hard and are probably the best team atm on the transition. We have improved tenfold in this area but if we can stop their run and keep them to the boundary we are in with a chance. This is based on the team's performance against the likes of Adelaide and Richmond. If the Rounds 1-3 team show up, no chance. Anything less than 5 goals is a plus imo.

[DeeZee 7,445]

If Dawes was in i would be a little more confident , although im still hopeful , i would be surprised if we pulled this one off.

[Vipercrunch 2,847]

If by win you mean getting within 40 points of them, then sure, we have a shot.

If you however mean the more traditional definition of win and actually mean that we have more points than they do at the end of the game then no chance.

Some posters might be getting a reality check this weekend. We have improved, yes, but still have along way to go before we are competitive against the Top 4 sides.

[Gorgoroth 13,184]

They will punish us for our turn overs. That's what the good teams do, Richmond, Aselaide and Carlton couldn't, that's the difference.

[Matt Demon 1,571]

We need to shut the game down & play a contested style of play. You just can't give this mob any space & allow them to run otherwise they'll cut us up.

[John Crow Batty 8,880]

We are certainly a better chance since we are playing at a neutral ground. It remains to be seen if the bye is to our advantage or not. In the past it has worked against us. They may fall for the same trap that others have in not paying us enough respect and they are also coming off a very tough game.

I have no doubt that Roos has a winnable plan but it remains to be seen if we are switched on enough to pull it off and the stars align our way. Our two way running against the tigers was the best I have seen in my memory. Needs to be repeated. If we can get some early scoring pressure we are a big chance to keep our noses in front. Then we have to exploit their high risk attack from defence game and get maximum return from turnovers.

Edited May 26, 2014 by america de cali