Monday, October 20, 2014

AFL Comparison #12: Port Adelaide Power

The Power are the "younger" of the two clubs from the state of South Australia, specifically the seaport region of Adelaide. Though they won a title ten years ago, their recent resurgence is relatively unexpected, founded partly on a stiff defense and partly on their young dynamic stars like Chad Wingard, Robbie Gray, and Jay Schultz. Port went 11-1 to start the 2014 year after a surprising finals run last season, fading towards the end before mounting a spectacular pair of wins in the playoffs. Their run was stopped short by just three points (or if you prefer, one wide-right kick) to the eventual champion Hawthorn Hawks in the penultimate week. Currently, they're a strong third in the futures betting for the 2015 title, behind the two finalists this year (Hawthorn and Sydney).

Their American counterpart: the Seattle Seahawks

Despite their 3-3 start, the 'Hawks still have the fancy of the NFL public, who see their current two-game losing streak as an aberration, not a trend. The Seahawks have some of the same up-and-coming story that Port Adelaide has: defensive minded, young stars in Russell Wilson and Percy Harvin Doug Baldwin and Richard Sherman, and a strong coach with a vibrant personality in Pete Carroll. With the Seahawks coming off their first Super Bowl title in a dominant performance over the Broncos, the Port Adelaide Power undoubtedly hope the same comparative fate awaits them this year!

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