We are 1-3. Port are 4-0. Something aint right here...That's right: It's not 2002. But, lose this game and it might as well be 2002. We didn't make top 4 then and we won't now if we lose again.
But, let's try to stay positive. There's no reason why we shouldn't win this game. Well, outside of our atrocious form, debilitating injury list and Port's unbeaten streak.
Yet, in my mind, we really can't be as bad as we have demonstrated. Conversely, Port can't be that good. Let's examine their fixture: 4 wins against Melbourne, GWS, GCS and Adelaide. Those teams between them have only 4 wins. Undoubtedly they're better than they have been. That's because they're actually trying now. They have some quality young players in Wine and Neade, resurgent players like Westhoff and a seemingly competent coach in Hinkley. Fans are actually going to their games now. It's madness.
But they're not world beaters. If we play with the intensity we did last year, eradicate our kicking errors and locate the goals we should have too much power for the...erm...power. It's a big 'if' I know. We will lose if we play like we did last week. You have to believe that won't happen. You have to believe that in between writing love letters to milestone players,* the coach has said something, done something to get our team back on track.
Port Adelaide
B: Thomas Jonas, Alipate Carlisle, Campbell Heath
HB: Jasper Pittard, Jackson Trengove, Dom Cassisi
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
HF: Paul Stewart, Justin Westhoff, Matthew Broadbent
F: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Foll: Brent Renouf, Ollie Wines, Hamish Hartlett
I/C: Matthew Lobbe, Angus Monfries, Jake Neade, Cameron O'Shea
Emerg: Sam Colquhoun, Lewis Stevenson, Matt Thomas
IN: Paul Stewart
OUT: Lewis Stevenson (loves Eagles too much)
West Coast
B: Shannon Hurn, Darren Glass, Jacob Brennan
HB: Beau Waters, Eric Mackenzie, Sam Butler
C: Chris Masten, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
F: Callum Sinclair, Jack Darling, Daniel Kerr
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
I/C: Ashton Hams, Bradd Dalziell, Mitch Brown, Josh Hill
Emerg: Mark Hutchings, Ashley Smith, Will.Schofield
IN: Beau Waters, Mitch Brown
OUT: Adam Selwood (embarrassment) Will Schofield (sacrificial lamb)
Old Selwood is out with a 'sore back'. Old man injury if you ask me. I'm actually surprised he lasted the game after all that chasing he did last week. I thought he may have died of exhaustion after the second quarter. In all seriousness though, I think it's been clear for the last 2-3 seasons that Selwood is very much a player on the decline. I'm not at all convinced he's in our best 22 when we have a full squad available (haha, I know). Schofield has been dropped. It's a little puzzling. He hasn't been good or anything, but who has. I like him because of his ability to rebound and his dash off half-back. But I'm sure the club has its reasons.
I remember when we used to always lose against Port in Adelaide. But we've won the last 2 there. Make it 3 and hope is not lost.
* Not having a go at Worsfold for the letters...I find it quite quaint.
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