Port Adelaide youngster Mitch Georgiades should play in AFL preliminary final says Mark Bickley
Port Adelaide are flying, having won their past six matches going into Friday’s preliminary final, but Mark Bickley says the Power need to make a change for the Tigers clash.
Mark Bickley
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Port Adelaide are on the cusp of their third Grand Final appearance, having had the perfect preparation in the lead up to this Friday’s preliminary final showdown against reigning premier Richmond.
Six wins on the trot, a non-existent injury list and the prospect of naming an unchanged line-up for the clash with the Tigers.
If coach Ken Hinkley were to pull a surprise selection move and leave Todd Marshall out, who would be the replacement?
Justin Westhoff would get the vote from many Power fans, having given everything he’s had for over a decade to this club, but unfortunately sentiment counts for little in the race for a premiership.
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Having Charlie Dixon and Peter Ladhams already in the forward line, the balance doesn’t look right.
My preference would be Mitch Georgiades and I can hear people saying you must be kidding.
He’s only played seven games, and none since Round 13. But I am serious.
The reason I like Georgiades against Richmond this week is because he provides another aerial threat against the Tigers’ backline, who if left unchallenged combine brilliantly and so often to set up many of their victories.
Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastin, David Astbury, Nathan Broad and Bacher Houli, are all dual premiership players, and are the most cohesive and organised defence in the competition.
Their ability to wrestle with the opposition’s key forward and keep him grounded, while getting aerial assistance from a team mate has not only stopped teams from scoring, but it also provides attack through players like Houli who are always on hand to receive the ball after the intercepting mark or spoil.
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Marshall’s shoulder has recovered sufficiently for him to be available, but is he an automatic selection?
His bravery in returning to the ground after injuring his shoulder in the first quarter of the qualifying final win against Geelong without doubt helped Port Adelaide win that match, which included kicking the sealer in the last quarter.
As courageous as all that was, the question still remains, with just three possessions for the night, did he do enough to maintain his place in the team?
Since returning to the side in Round 14 from a broken thumb, Marshall has played five games with quite modest returns.
He has averaged under seven possessions a game, had only three shots on goal, for two majors, averaged just two marks, none contested, and has not had any goal assists.
For a forward averaging 75 per cent game time he has not put his selection beyond doubt.
A critical factor for Marshall is Port Adelaide has won all five games since his return, and winning form is good form.
But, Georgiades provides a point of difference, he is a more contested player than Marshall, particularly in the air which is where support for Dixon will be needed.
Georgiades is the only other forward besides Dixon who has averaged more than one contested mark a game this year.
Finals we know are more contested and particularly against the Tigers, who’s pressure is next level.
Port Adelaide will be forced at times to enter long and quickly and while Dixon and Ladhams did a great job against the Cats at not being out-marked, an extra threat in the air like Georgiades gives another marking option and at the very least keeps his defender engaged.
You also lose nothing at ground level, where his speed can also worry the opposition.
I understand no one wants to win this game more than Ken Hinkley, and no one knows the players and their strengths better than Hinkley and the coaching staff.
So when the Port Adelaide side is named Thursday night, if they choose to go in unchanged who could argue with them, as they have hardly put a foot wrong all year.
But from an outsider looking in, looking at what each player brings to the table, and what skill sets are required to challenge the Richmond defence, Georgiades should certainly be in the conversation, if not in the team.