It has often been said that it is much easier getting to the top than staying there,and this pertinent saying has Port Adelaide's name written all over it. To be brutally honest, Port only got close to the top in 2014, and in reality, they were a long way away from reaching it. Yet they are currently playing the football of a team that thought it was just going to happen for them in 2015, and their inconsistency is starting to wear very thin on coach Ken Hinkley.
I for one thought that natural progression would see Port graduate to become the premiers this year. Making bold predictions in March is fraught with danger, as so much can happen in between then and now, but I don't think anybody could have predicted Port Adelaide's inconsistency in mindset and effort so far this season.
The Port Adelaide players are picking and choosing when they want to compete at the level required of a potential premiership winning side. The manic pressure that made them everyone's second favourite team last year is now a distant memory as they struggle to come to terms with the weight of expectation that comes with being a highly rated side.
Every team has injuries, but it looks like Port Adelaide's depth isn't what it needs to be, or we all thought it was. The loss of Ollie Wines was significant as it forced Robbie Gray out of the forward line, where he played the bulk of games last year, and into the midfield. Gray is an absolute gun and continues to play at a high level, but his loss out of the forward line has been compounded by the fact that Chad Wingard is also playing a midfield role now to cover for the loss of Jared Polec.
Port Adelaide have dropped off dramatically in every area where Ken Hinkley would demand they beat the opposition. Port are ranked 13th in the AFL for contested possession, 10th for uncontested possession, 17th for inside 50s, and 16th for scores from turnovers, all stats in which they were ranked top five in last season. When mediocre in those statistics, it is no wonder that they are now three goals worse off in attack and concede two extra goals a game in defence compared to last year.
Paddy Ryder looked like he was going to be the cream on the cake when the Power lured him from Essendon. Ryder has been solid, but notexceptional, while his partner in crime, Matthew Lobbe, is yet to hit his straps in his four games this year after missing the first three through injury. Both Ryder and Lobbe want to be the No.1 ruckman and thrive on doing the bulk of the work in the ruck, but it just can't happen.
Lobbe doesn't have Ryder's athleticism to push forward and kick goals, so he needs to play to his strengths around the ground, while Ryder needs to be able to get his head around playing forward more often and having a key defender running with him every step of the way.
Sunday's match against Richmond is a must-win for both clubs as the loser will fall two games out of the eight and be under serious pressure to recover from a 3-5 start to the season. With Wines back in the team, Port Adelaide has the personnel to load up the forward line again and trouble Richmond. Jay Schulz, Ryder, Justin Westhoff, Wingard, Gray and Angus Monfries comprise as good a forward line as you'll see, and I'd love to see Hinkley go that way early. If the midfield can get them enough supply, the Adelaide Oval crowd will be up and about and jumping again. They are too talented a group not tocreate havoc if they can be left there for a sustained period.
Richmond were sensational last Sunday against Collingwood. Their best players - Cotchin, Deledio, Riewoldt, Rance and Maric - all performed exceptionally well and delivered the Tigers the much-needed four points. They are a proud group and they won't have forgotten in a hurry the embarrassment of last year's elimination final loss to Port Adelaide by 57 points. The Tigers were blown out of the water, conceding the first eight goals. Port were at their breathtaking best, which we have only seen in in fits and spurts this year.
Fremantle, Hawthorn and Sydney will make the top four again this year; they are just too good and experienced not to. One spot remains for a young and hungry side to shake up the finals series and the West Coast Eagles, GWS and the Adelaide Crows look far more desperate than Port Adelaide do after seven rounds.
Port's best is still better, but the big question mark hanging over them is: how much do they really want it? The early signs suggest that it's not badly enough.
