how can port possibly survive as a stand alone team in the vfl and expect to win a premiership. surely that is what every club aspires to do each season or is that really the case at teac? talented and quality players dont just fall out of trees, in particular big men which are at the disposal of every alligned vfl club. the clubs day's of finals football are over for mine
I think it will be tough going in 2006, but Frankston have shown that you can be competitve as a stand-alone side.
Obviously key position players are hard to find, but a central club in Melbourne, that isn't being swamped each week with AFL listed players, would surely be a more attractive option for players coming out of the TAC which miss out on being drafted.
Over the next three years I figure Port will need to recruit 6 ex-AFL KP players... Probably about 4 next year, and then 2 and 1 the years after, while we develop those younger players on the list.
I think the bigger concern short term is bringing back dischanted supporters who dropped off during the alignments, and working out how to get new supporters along to the Borough.
being competitive is fine but winning the premiership is what everybody aims for. stand alone teams will NEVER win a flag
That's a huge call boroughboy....NEVER say NEVER mate !
Whilst I'm sure everyone at Port is well aware of the fact that the next few years will be a struggle , I think Port is one of the few clubs who CAN make a go of it alone.
Whilst Premierships are indeed the focus of each season for every club , surely there's more to being a footy club than ONLY that ? If in fact a flag is the ONLY aim , then why is this website full of threads about crowds/reunions/characters on and off the ground etc etc. For mine footy ( at any level) is about two things :
- the game itself ( the actual playing or watching of the greatest game on the planet)
- the people involved ( supporters , players , staff , volunteers)
On field success is fantastic , and we should all aspire to it , but if it becomes the be all and end all , we'd be like...well , we'd be like the AFL !!
Well said Rico.
fair point Rico....but give me a premiership any day
exactly zebraman. why go to all the bother just to be competitive. premierships are what players play for, 1st and foremost
Who watched all of Port's games this year???
So then, who wants d!ckheads like Shane Harvey loping around in self pity or someone having a go, while honest and tought goers like McMahon, and Aloi, even Milheusen, played in the twos. Robbie Cheevers would've been sweet to come on this year, but for the AFL alignment - dictating that North hall have its players played.
So if 2006 is a roster building year, so be it. Look at Port so far even with the alignment, acquiring a good enforcer in Steve Lawrence, and Robbins last year.
Now look at the names North Ballarat signed as free agents. Port's should kick themselves if they don't get first in the ear of every free agent that comes from the AFL this year. The chargers always have fine players. Who's worried?
AFL muscle is great as a backup though consider in the past 3 grand finals, the clutch player(s) have almost undoubtedly been non-AFL listed players.
I see your concern however this is one club that can do pretty well by itself. If only to have had the freedom to offer worthy contracts to Gerard Bennett and Shane Clayton - players wanting to stay who in the end had to go elsewhere.
Everyone wants to win a premiership however having the club there for the next 100 years is more important.
Would a passionate supporter rather a club he can call his own or settle for a hollow premiership like Williamstown in 2003. I wouldnt get any enjoyment out of my club being taken over, including changing a theme song.
It will be tough in 2006 but we can build from there on.