Went to the game at Etihad. First time there and what a great place to watch a game, for all the criticism it gets lets hope the new Packer .... sorry Perth stadium is as good. Looking forward to tomorrow and the boys giving the cry babies from North a lesson
Thoughts from the game ....
i ) Port showed up hawthorn by using their speed and quick ball movement to beat them. Hawthorn like all other teams are vulnerable when the ball is moved quickly and they are unable to set up their zone. This is what port did quick ball movement especially through the corridor, Richmond beat them the same way. When the Hawks slowed port down they squeezed them and caused turnovers where they scored goals. They are soo well drilled the Hawks almost like they have one collective mind and know where the next kick is heading before it goes there. A bit like soccer teams where they cross the ball into space for their teammates to runs onto it from behind them ... They can't see them there but they know they will be there. The Hawks operate like this around the packs (always look backwards first to release ball) and especially in the forward half and fifty
ii ) If we want to beat the Hawks we have to play this way ... Fearless and attacking, the slower we play the easier it will be for the Hawks.... Not sure this will suit rolys game plan
iii ) Paddy Ryder really set them up, his hit outs to advantage were exceptional if he doesn't get 3 Brownlow votes they should retire those umpires.
iv ) should have got on the $10 offered for port to win. Was tempted after watching them put it together for small patches last week against GWS but didn't have the courage to do it ...
v) umpiring was fairly reasonable but a couple of terrible decisions and I think hawthorn got the better deal, first quarter was pretty good, whistles were put away and the players played ..
vi) can't wait for Sunday
