From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Paul Amy
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A SLIP-UP against an emerging opponent or a sign of deeper difficulties?
It was a question Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres had to confront after his Borough tumbled to a six-point defeat against fellow stand-alone club Frankston at Kars St on Sunday.
In doing so, Port hit a negative mark, 1-2, for the first time since 2007.
Since then the Borough have attained excellence under Ayres, memorably going through undefeated in 2011 and reaching the grand final last year.
They were without midfield champions Shane Valenti and Toby Pinwill against Frankston, and fellow senior men Michael Dillon, Hugh Sandilands, Myles Pitt and Danny Hughes were also out.
In the case of young Jason Williams, he's out permanently, having quit the club last week.
With Josh Scipione maintaining his splendid start to the season, Port started well kicking to the Kars St end.
But Frankston, with a batch of exciting newcomers, found another gear in the second quarter and left the flat-footed and fumbling.
The Dolphins' lead puffed out to 41 points in the third term.
Port, sensing it was up against an opponent unused to having to close out matches, rushed home in the last quarter as finally Dean Galea broke free from Jarrod Irving to kick two goals.
The Dolphins had the staggers. But they held on. On the boundary, coach Simon Goosey was hoarse.
If they had squandered their lead Goosey would have been justified in heading to Frankston police station and reporting a daylight robbery.
Ayres acknowledged the missing senior men, but said it was no excuse, calling his team "undisciplined", "reactive" and "indecisive".
He said Port had reached a "very interesting time".
"It's going to be a real character test of where these guys want to go and how hard they're prepared to fight and dig in. I'm just going to keep flipping the side around until I find the mix," he said.
"There just doesn't seem to be a real spark and that sort of Port Melbourne desire and belief among the group at the moment."
He said he was perplexed by the "massive swing in consistency in quarters".
With the North Port Oval still unavailable, Port returns to Frankston Park on Sunday to play Sandringham.
Good article Robbo. To write off Port you would do it at your own peril, however there would be some doubts as to where they are at. Could be quite easily 0-3 & the form must be worrying. Tire a little about the good players missing but no team is rarely afforded a full list to choose from, it just doesn't happpen.
Another month will tell the story with no team being unbeatable & I think the competition has gone up quite a few notches.
Port's performance in the practice match against the Roosters was quite brilliant & now upon reflection judging the past couple of games they the Roosters have been very ordinary. Only time will tell.
Maybe Port are not a top 4 side with those players missing? Thats nothing to be ashamed of.
I wouldnt be hitting the panic button just yet as we have only played 3 games. From memory we started 2-2 in 2008 (Lost again at Frankston) and finished on top.
A part from those missing players I think a few people have forgot Port havnt lost at home since Sept 2010 and have never finshed outside the top 4 under Ayres. Long, long way to go! Plenty of upside the way I see things.
Technically Port are 1-1 at the moment as the game against Werribee was a round 16 game. Go have a look at the VFL ladder if you don't believe me.
I'm not panicking either fellas, but I do think that I might re-assess our depth. It might not be quite as strong as first thought.
Lots of players to return though, so there is still plenty of upside.
Northport I actually think our depth is quite good and believe our reserves will make the finals. Theres plenty of reserves players who I wouldnt hesitate in playing. But in saying that, you cant simply replace an A grade VFL player such as Valenti with a competent VFL player and get the same results. Well maybe a couple but when you are trying to fill 6+ spots thats when you come back to the pack.
And before you Rooster boys jump in saying every team gets injuries I'm sure you will agree that if Clifton, Sewell, Driscoll, George, Searl etc were all out you wouldnt play at the same level.
In reply to Technically Port are 1-1 at by comeng
Commie
Facts are ... Games played = 3 , win = 1, loss = 2. You will have to put a better spin on the situation.
In reply to comeng wrote:Technically Port by blackrocker
Not putting any spin on the situations just stating facts. Go and have a look at the VFL ladder after round 2. Port Melbourne is in 8th, Werribee 9th. I'll take the 1-1 after rounds 1 & 2 or the 1-2 after rounds 1, 2 & 16 rather than the 0-2 Sandringham are after rounds 1 & 2.
Comeng is correct. The points and percentage for that Werribee clash wont be added to the ladder until round 16.
In reply to Comeng is correct. The points by burraburger
What did Port do on the afternoon of Saturday 30th March.
They played a game of footy against Werribee
What did Port do on the afternoon of Sunday 7th April.
They played a game of footy against Box Hill
What did Port do on the afternoon of Sunday 14th April.
They played a game of footy against Frankston.
By my reckoning Port have played 3 games this season.
I dont think Port are sliding but injuries to key players will effect any team.
The VFL ? Is a strange comp where form is not always what it looks due to the changing of team members massively on a weekly basis esp the alinged teams.
It will be even more interesting next year with Willy and Coburg going it alone and Footscray and Richmond having their own seconds teams.
The only problem I can see coming is that Bendigo and Coburg and even Footscray might be way out of their depth and the comp become lopsided..
Its good to see Frankston on the improve - the have everything going for them good support great facilities so they should be in the top bracket of teams.