It was a season defining game for both sides. Both were to eventually go on to play deep into the finals with divergent outcomes for the two clubs.

THE TEAMS

PORT ADELAIDE 

B: T. Clurey 17 T. McKenzie 12 A. Aliir 21

HB: R. Burton 3 T. Jonas 1 D. Byrne-Jones 33

C: M. Bergman 14 O. Wines 16 K. Amon 15 

HF: C. Rozee 20 T. Marshall 4 S. Motlop 6 

F: M. Georgiades 19 C. Dixon 22 Z. Butters 18

Foll: S. Lycett 29 T. Boak 10 W. Drew 28

I/C: Powell-Pepper 2 D. Houston 5 J. Lienert 40 S. Mayes 32

Sub: M. Frederick 45 Emerg: J. Garner 27 P. Ladhams 38 B. Woodcock 36

In: Z. Butters T. Clurey

Out: R. Bonner (omitted) K. Farrell (ACL)

MELBOURNE 

B: M. Hibberd 14 S. May 1 J. Lever 8

HB: J. Hunt 29 H. Petty 35 C. Salem 3

C: A. Brayshaw 10 C. Petracca 5 E. Langdon 15

HF: A. Neal-Bullen 30 T. McDonald 25 J. Harmes 4

F: L. Jackson 6 B. Brown 50 B. Fritsch 31

Foll: M. Gawn 11 C. Oliver 13 J. Viney 7 

I/C: J. Jordon 23 K. Pickett 36 T. Rivers 24 C. Spargo 9

Sub: T. Sparrow 32 Emerg: J. Melksham 18 J. Smith 44 A. vandenBerg 22 

In: B. Brown

Out: A. vandenBerg (omitted)

Wasn't sure where to pop this post and my musings on facing Port Adelaide.

For me, considering we are a month and a half behind most other teams in our preseason (and the body of work that has gone in post the recuperation from the 2021 season proper)...We are tracking magnificently. And then add on our injuries to most of our key defensive first choice personnel, we are tracking even more magnificently.

The correlation/causation between fewer injuries (and to which personnel) and ladder position is undeniable... and we are bucking the trend.

Also, for those that bemoan accuracy in front of goal - and not smashing teams a la our finals campaign. (it's really about your self imposed expectations of how the team should go, vs the reality of fronting up week in, week out in elite sport).. I'm just not sure how realistic it is to smash teams weekly...no matter how emotional you get about it.

We are now a team that can play poorly (from a supporters perspective) and still win...by almost 5 goals - with key first choice pillars at both ends of the ground out. For me, that is the stuff of my Melbourne Demon supporter fantasies!

Anyway....on to Port... all those things mentioned above (and 2 consecutive 6 day breaks) lead me to be quite accepting of a loss. I would definitely take a 3-1 position at this stage...

Edited April 2, 20223 yr by Engorged Onion

I hope Port dont sack Hinkley this week