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On September 15 I wrote ...

In the past I've always thought Port were a good side, but not good enough. Why? One word; Melbourne. No matter how poorly the Dees were travelling, they always managed to give Port a good run for their money.

[Other guff]

Anyhoo, Melbourne have always gone well against Port -- until this game [Round 19]. The Dees, as is too often the case, missed early chances and allowed the Power to steamroll them like never before which leads me to think Port may be a better chance this year than ever before. Watch out Wicky. Those feral swamp monsters may yet run amok in the city of churches.

Then last Monday...

For the record, I'm tipping Port.

That's about a two week span in which a strong hunch Port "could" win stiffened into a confident tip they "would" win.

However, over the course of the last week the hunch was still there, but backing that hunch that would mean flying in the face of a long held belief ...

[It's] the stronger, harder teams that win premierships. Since Carlton beat Richmond in 1982 the dominant teams have been Essendon, Hawthorn, West Coast, North and Brisbane. All of these teams were steered by coaches who adhere to the theory that to win big games you must be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with your opponent and just get the ball. No slick plays, no trickery, just man-on-man accountability, vigour and determination.

So doing the ... ahem ... sensible thing and backing my own judgement, I let reason rule out gut reaction and yesterday ...

Port Adelaide is definitely about getting that loose man out in the open. Just as definitely, Brisbane is all about getting heavy bodies to the contest. And in a Grand Final, the very biggest of big games, Port are going to struggle to get their players out, open and running against a Brisbane who will do everything to keep the contest in tight.

Nope. Unless Mark Williams can pull something out of his hat -- and we know that trick never works -- unless Tredrea can play an absolute blinder, unless the steely suspect Burgoynes, Montgomery, Cassisi, Schofield and Dew can suddenly find some inner iron, unless EVERYTHING goes right for Port, they're no chance.

Brisbane to win by 32 points or more.

As everyone's probably aware by now, I should have gone with the hunch. Good odds were to be had yesterday morning. In fact, it was that nagging feeling Port could get up that stopped me having my usual flutter and following the big money to Brisbane.

Strangely though, my philosophy was right. Only the wrong way round. The stronger, harder team did win one of the best Grand Final's for years. Port.

The Power were definitely more committed to the ball whereas Brisbane, who spent plenty of time punching on, looked uncharacteristically reluctant to attack the footy, often times timidly inserting a loose arm instead of the whole body. Not to mention the high number of tentative clangers from the likes of Chris Johnson, Nigel Lappin, Jonathon Brown and the (in my opinion) over-rated Justin Leppitch who all seemed unusually circumspect under high balls.

Port also turned it around in the "physicality" department by denying Brisbane the space the Lions usually deny their opponents on the rebound. This meant Brisbane's normally blistering transition from defence to attack was frustrated and Port were granted the time necessary to get numbers back into their own defence to 1) swamp Lynch and Brown, and 2) launch the more dangerous counter attacks.

William's unbonneted bunny was the tagging of Simon Black by Kane Cornes. The clearances were about equal in number, but Port definitely had the better quality of take-away. This was in no small part attributable to Cornes' comprehensive negation of Brisbane's champion extractor.

Tredrea didn't have the required blinder, but the Burgoynes, Montgomery, Cassisi, Schofield and Dew were all solid when they had to be. Especially the previously suspect Peter Burgoyne who was my choice for the Norm Smith Medal.

In a huge wrap for aboriginal players, the Normy instead went to an eminently worthy Bronski Pickett. It could also have just as easily gone to Gavin Wanganeen, and Sean Burgoyne, despite being burnt early by Akermanis, finished off the game well. What's more, the question came up again during the week; is Mark Williams aboriginal? Either way it's yet another great advertisement for the talents of our native footballers.

And really, everything did go right for Port.

The bounce of the ball favoured them. That's not any kind of criticism, just "one of those things".

Brisbane's injuries told on Lynch, Brown and Voss which meant the Lion's long and direct style was badly hampered. Lynch has been vitally important in each of the Brisbane premierships. Sure Port were missing Francou and Primus, but while Francou is a gun, I'm not convinced a fully fit Primus would have even gotten a game.

This time round, as opposed to the previous three years, Brisbane missed their crucial shots at goal.

And not insignificantly, the longer the game remained close the less likely it was of Port feeling they would be blown away and thus their confidence rose. While at the same time the greater became the impact of Brisbane's shorter preparation because of their Saturday night Preliminary Final compared with Port's Friday night clash. Hindsight is unnecessary to tell us this was an appalling decision that in light of the result, is unlikely to be repeated.

Never the less, well won Port. They played the harder, faster, more aggressive and committed style of footy required to win big games and richly deserved their victory.

It was also a big win for those fans, non-Port South Aussies obviously excluded, who favour the family clubs over the homogenous AFL manufactured clubs. For that reason alone, Go Port!

Asked what I thought by a bunch of guys having kick-to-kick in the street afterwards, my only response was "No Strempel. No Bears."

That brings me to an interesting -- well, I think so -- point.

Last week Chris Scott was interviewed on SEN and he stated in no uncertain terms that Essendon were the better team in 2001 and because luck, injury and momentum went Brisbane's way the Lions were able to snatch the flag that year. Personally I hope that sticks in all Essendon craws. Suffer, under-achievers! But Essendon were the best side that year.

It's possible to put a discount on the 2002 flag because Collingwood, while employing effective negating tactics and despite benefitting from everything going their way, just didn't have the talent to overcome Brisbane. The Pies were not the second best side that year and yet were able to push the Lions to within a couple of kicks whereas Port finished on top and in 2002 were that year's best side.

Then in 2003 Collingwood beat Brisbane in the semi final and thought they had the Grand Final won, yet the Lions rightfully steamrolled a very mediocre Collingwood. Once again Port were the best side during the season.

Is it possible we've over-rated Brisbane by calling them the greatest team of all time? Melbourne finished on top every year from 1955 to 1960 for five flags. It strikes me that's more praiseworthy than Brisbane's recent domination. It's also likely they're on the decline, and that without Lynch, who's retired to escape the tribunal, they are especially vulnerable.

Finally, some personal highlights from the day:

1) Channel Ten's coverage (I turned on at about 2:20) was fine, and their post game coverage was the best I've seen.

2) Mark Williams after game acceptance speech. Legend.

3) Warren Tredrea is excellent value. Seems like a smashing bloke.

4) Michael Voss's post game speech was terrific. He's all class.

5) A shot of the player's race while Port were accepting their medallions showed the Power women leaning over the fence laughing, cheering, waving and yoo-hooing like a pack of cheap whores on a western movie hotel balcony. Giddy. Up.

Comments

[Big Ramifications]

Random comments:

Ten coverage? Pagan and Laidley playing make-believe and giving pre-match addresses, complete with whiteboards, to non existent players. Goofy and demeaning.

Bert Newton showing a bit of a gambler’s streak, saying that Port’s odds were very tempting, given that it was a two horse race. I love Bert.

I thought Williams was Aboriginal, and that his nickname is actually racist, but no politically correct windbag has picked up on it yet. But that was only what I got told once.

Lynch gone. Brown and Bradshaw to step up to the mark. Bradshaw was their 3rd string forward for gawd’s sake. How much depth have they got?!

Darryl White had a shocker. Too old, too slow. ala Neville Bruns 1989.

[Scott Wickstein]

A shot of the player's race while Port were accepting their medallions showed the Power women leaning over the fence laughing, cheering, waving and yoo-hooing like a pack of cheap whores on a western movie hotel balcony. Giddy. Up.

LMFAO.. thats Gold

[Brett Pee]

Port have beaten a team many believe was the best of all time- has there been a better one Tony? Not so sure. Their hunger was simply stronger, it was actually a pretty decent game. Old stager Wanganeen provided one last burst-won't be too much more of that. I don't reckon taht 2 Melbourne tema would'nt have provided a gripping match up like that one. Celebrating in Adelaide ? Not sure they know how.

[Tony.T]

Some excellent point, Big.

Absolutely agree about the Laidley/Pages thing. I saw about a minute of each which was enough to convince me I'd be better of listening to CDs until bounce time. The idea of having the two of them discuss the tactics was great, but the excecution was pathetic , gimmicky and juvenile.

Bert's a peach.

The Bears should still be good again next year. Charman can go forward if need be. Don't expect Brown to be available until about round six. Unless the tribunal swallow more technical nonsense.

Time to hit the road, Daryl. Hopeless. He looked lost.

[Tony.T]

English, Wicky. LMFAO? Lost My Flares At Onkaparinga?

Hey! But at least that means someone reads all the way through. Unless, of course, you've taken the Agatha Christie option and gone straight to the last page to see who-dun-it.

[Tony.T]

Don't worry, Brett. Down in ol' Port Adelaide they'll still be cuddlin their babies and stealing TVs out of Sea-Tainers.

[RT]

LMFAO - Laughed My F**king Arse Off? I can spell f**k in full without the internet profanity police blocking me on these blogs? Fuck, fuck, fuck. Hey, it works!

By the way I agree with him - great comparison.

[Tony.T]

Stop that! You're not allowed to say profanity round here.