Do you think its fair to label the Port Adelaide Football Club as "chokers"?

Question

After winning in 2004 & with such a young team, beating 14 other teams to the Grand Final last year, is it fair for them to still hold the 'choker' tag? Do you think Mark Williams 'choker' hold was a right thing to do after Port's loss to the Hawks?

Answer 1

**I don't know that I'd describe them as 'chokers' but I certainly think they need to have a look at themselves. I never gave them much of a chance against Geelong in the Grand Final because I believed that Geelong were a far better team.

Mark Williams seems to be into all the mind games and trying to make statements etc ... he needs to concentrate on winning games of footy and everything else will take care of itself. Those kind of statements always seem to come back and bite you.

The label of 'chokers' has seemed to have stuck with Port Adelaide but the label of 'Colliwobbles' has also stuck with Collingwood because they struggle in September, Geelong used to never be able to win a Grand Final so I take much notice of all these labels**

Answer 2

Zero, nah you're wrong.



Port were considered chokers way before the 2004 grandfinal. for plenty of years, they had finishd on the top of the ladder, but were not able to go very far at all in the finals. for all those years, they had been labeled as 'chokers'. then when they finally won a grandfinal, mark williams did the gesture with the tie, as a "take that" to all the people who called them that.



but nowadays, they have gone back to their old roots, and choked even more. they backed up their 2004 win by BARELY making it to the finals in 2005, and then getting absolutely thrashed by the crows in the first round of the finals.



then this year, they have lost plenty of very winnable matches, from great positions.



so yes, they still deserve to be labeled as "chokers"

Answer 3

I think everyone calls Port chokers because Mark Williams (coach, not player) made that gesture after the 2004 Grand Final. If he didn't do that, people wouldn't be stirring them so much now. If Port were gracious winners, they wouldn't have the choker tag right now.

Answer 4

I think there is no such thing among football teams, individual sports maybe, but not team sports as such.



Footballers can't choke, how could they, players miss shot whether in front or if they are way behind on the score board. think about it, they drop marks, panic when pressure or perceived pressure is applied, i think it comes down to how much pressure the opposition applies to their opponents.



No, i don't think Williams is a choker either.

Answer 5

lozz is spot on



Its all because Coach Mark Williams made that stupid gesture with his tie after the Grand final (2004 i think) - in response to some one (in the media?) who said Port would choke.



If he hadnt done that then the whole thing would have gone away in 2004.



But because everyone saw that gesture, it is brought up everytime Port lose.



HOWEVER Some of their recent performances, such as last years Grand Final, show that they are a team that can easily lose it, in the MIND GAMES, that come with pro footy.

Get them doubting themselves, and you have got Port beaten.

Answer 6

Well it is fair to call them 'chokers' cause they are but people need to get over it and move on. Every team gives away a big lead at a stage so whatever.

Answer 7

The Burgoyne brothers only had one great year. 2004 was it. They added the spark to win a premiership along with the removal of Che Cockatoo-Collins. If you want to check out real chokers then look at the history of Essendon. Don't tell me about the number of Premierships they won, look at the games they have lost.

Answer 8

yes, I think Port Adelaide have proven they choke under pressure. The proof is in their '07 Grand Final performance. A repeat performance again against Geelong this year.

Answer 9

yea it was they are the only team who are up at 3 quter time by about 40 pts then lose by 30 and i think yea they won a prem and was in the GF last yr but u cant be in a GF if ur not gonna put up a fight its not the spirit of the game

Answer 10

Yes. It's more than fair.

It's not a fitness issue as Geelong had the same amount of time for pre-season training.

It's a mental issue when they get tired, and they still haven't got over their record breaking grand final loss.

gurgle.....gurgle....

Answer 11

No.



Because if you do you would have to label many other AFL teams as chokers as well. Look at Collingwood last week against Carlton.

Answer 12

yes its fair



just look at rd 11 v carlton

Answer 13

yes its fair

Answer 14

Yep!

Answer 15

yah