This is a huge game for Woosha and the club. If we want to make the finals we must win this game. Port are in a rebuilding phase, or de-building if you ask me, and it is time for us to start consistently winning against these teams. Unfortunately, as I alluded to on Monday’s post, Port have been somewhat of a bogey team in recent (all) times, especially at AAMI. We have played there 7 times since 2003 and won a grand total of 0. But if you round it up...it’s zero. I don’t know whether it’s the terrible teal, the frightening bogan crowds or the triple sets of brothers but we have clearly struggled to beat Port.
The good news is the Burgoynes have burgoyned off, there is only 1 Westhoff and the Cornes are now more annoying than good (but wasn’t that always the case?) Also, those fearsomely bogan crowds were very small last season and I hope they continue to dwindle until all that’s left is a few Ford and Holden jackets. Plus, we came close last season, going down by only a solitary point late in the season.
It’s time to get the monkey truly off our backs, say “bugger off” monkey and if that fails go all David Calthorpe on it (too obscure?).
Nothing exciting to report about Port’s team. We, on the other hand, have been strengthened by key inclusions after being considerably weakened. The weakening is the necessary omission of Mark Lecras. Masten is also out with injury and 2-foot tall Ashton Hams is omitted due to doing bugger-all (That’s what the team sheet actually says).
Here’s the big news: Numero Quattro is back! To put it another way, Daniel Kerr has been named in our squad.
I don’t think this is too rushed. He has shown some decent (and a little violent) form in the WAFL for East Freo in previous weeks amassing solid playing time and disposals. There’s no point delaying his return due to fear of another injury. If he’s fit he plays. Period. I do worry, however, about the pure evil of ‘Cornes Squared’ and their effect on Kerr’s ability to keep his cool. I’m sure they will do their usual thing and bait him but I hope he lets his feet do the talking. By that I mean kicking the football and not a Waites-seque groin hit. I suppose he could be the Substitute, but I would prefer him to start and attempt to work into the game. We can take him off at 3 quarter time when we’re up by 10 goals.
Nic Naitanui also returns along with Patrick McGinnity.
Port Adelaide
FB: Tom Logan, Alipate Carlile, Jackson Trengove
HB: Jasper Pittard, Troy Chaplin, Paul Stewart
C: Danyle Pearce, Domenic Cassisi, Cameron O’Shea
HF: Daniel Stewart, Justin Westhoff, Kane Cornes
FF: Jarrad Irons, Chad Cornes, Robbie Gray
Fol: Dean Brogan, Travis Boak, Matt Thomas
Int: (sub to be named) Steven Salopek, David Rodan, Matthew Broadbent, Cameron Hitchcock
In: C. Cornes
Out: Jay Schulz
West Coast
FB: Will Schofield, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn
HB: Beau Waters, Mitchell Brown, Scott Selwood
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Andrew Embley
HF: Brad Ebert, Josh J. Kennedy, Luke Shuey
FF: Mark Nicoski, Quinten Lynch, Jack Darling
Fol: Dean Cox, Adam Selwood, Daniel Kerr
Int: (sub to be named) Nic Naitanui, Patrick McGinnity, Brad Sheppard, Andrew Gaff
In: Kerr, McGinnity, Naitanui
Out: Mark LeCras, Chris Masten, Ashton Hams
Source: FanFooty
This is a real litmus test. A win will be evidence of at least partial improvement over last year. Another loss at AAMI will prove we are still vulnerable to weak, indeed, all opposition.
Here’s hoping the former.
I’ll see you on the other side.
The Misanthropic Eagle.
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