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I'm trying to decide what to say about the game, post-match.
Williamstown look good. Hard, fast and quite clean with the football.
Port Melbourne worked their way into the game but it could be a case of the Seagulls taking the foot off the gas as the game wore on.
I think the departure of AJ from the ruc9k was telling and we lacked that physical impact in the ruck.
Having said that, I think there were positives on the day for Port. I'll try and think back to identify some individual performances, but it's a bit tricky with the distraction of two kids running around.
Rosman, Gahan (particularly early) and Graham all solid in defence and some good passages of play were set up across the HB line.
Clarke looked in good nick as did Rankin, and I thought George looked dangerous and a full season should see him at some electrifying footy if he stays fit/injury-free.
Bedendo up forward is going to be critical to our season.
We were inaccurate, but some of the Seagulls goals were from the goalsquare either from loose plsyers/overlap and quick movement, plus a couple of free kicks and 50m penalties which probably assisted in the Towners scoreboard accuracy.
* It's time to restore the VFA name.
The playing surface was sensational and it's a pretty well developed ground with a few mini grandstands.
* It's time to restore the VFA name.
Thanks for the report on the game, NorthPort! Seems like a somewhat decent sign that we kicked more goals than behinds again since that only happened 6 times last season, although one of those times was actually our loss to Wiliamstown and we'll need more scoring power than this scoreline suggests we had. How did the forwards look in terms of going on leads? Was a bit surprised to see Clarke named to the midfield since he was one of our best at leading, although inaccurate with goalkicking. Sounds like the ruck situation is pretty much what we all expected. Good to hear there are still some good signs despite the result.
For me the let down was some basic skill errors, kicking to opposition players and basic marks dropped marks that if it wasn’t a practice match would bring concern but Ild like to think it’s just lack of polish from non competitive games that we will see quick improvements. Another point of concern is we had 8 more inside 50/ than Williamstown, been a issue for a few seasons now but Ild like to see us get more bang for our buck,
Having said that their were some good signs, one of them being George, if injury free he is going to have a great season and some of our link up play was very good when it was working.
17 PREMIERSHIPS, 19 X Runners up
THE VFLS MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUB - THE MIGHTY PORT MELBOURNE BOROUGH!
I'M PORT MELBURNE BORN, I'M PORT MELBOURNE BRED, I'LL BE PORT UNTIL I'M DEAD!!!
Thanks for the additional report, Mega. With turnovers and failing to convert inside 50s both having been big problems for a while, it's definitely concerning that both problems are continuing. George did look great when he signed on last season - glad to hear he's still in good form.