Adelaide recruit Bryce Gibbs proves his worth with stellar Showdown performance
THE Crows were made to wait in their efforts to bring Adelaide boy Bryce Gibbs home from Carlton, but their patience is being rewarded by his superb on-field form. See where your team sits in this week’s Power Rankings.
- No time for Pyke to savour victory
- ‘Monumental mistake’: Hinkley fumes at score review
- ‘I think it hit the post’: Jenkins comes clean on winning goal
- Never-say-die Crows muddy Port’s finals hopes
- Analysis: Another epic derby to give the AFL new faith
BRYCE Gibbs is worth every cent the Crows are paying him and every second they had to wait to bring him home after his 250th-game heroics helped Adelaide win Showdown 45.
Josh Jenkins kicked the controversial match-winner with 2mins 38secs to go but there were so many big moments in a pulsating final term.
And it might have gone by unnoticed but Gibbs’ effort at full back midway through the quarter was enormous.
With Port Adelaide leading by a goal and the Crows trying to stay in it, Jared Polec danced his way out of traffic at half-forward and looked inside 50m to see Charlie Dixon on the lead.
Polec delivered a near perfect pass on his chest but Gibbs floated across in front and took the intercept mark 20m out.
It stopped a near certain goal that would have put the Power up 75-87 but instead the Crows then went up the other end and a Matt Crouch goal soon after put them in front.
Gibbs finished the game with 29 disposals, four clearances and nine inside 50s but that mark deep in defence sealed a brilliant night in his milestone game.
“Outstanding,” Crows midfielder Rory Sloane said of Gibbs’ addition to Adelaide’s team this year.
“Unbelievable Bryce. Just his composure, cool head, 250 games obviously that’s what he brings — good leadership.
“He’s an absolute animal, when he’s up and going like tonight his contest work is outstanding and his tackle pressure is awesome.
“And he understands what needs to happen late in games like that (mark).
“Port’s forwards were dangerous all night and that’s what our backs rely on — some of us mids getting back there at different times.”
When Adelaide baulked at Carlton’s demand of two first-round draft picks to bring Gibbs back to South Australia two years ago it seemed that at the age of 27 it was just never meant to be.
So when the deal was eventually done 12 months later and Gibbs was 28 the question was whether the high asking price was still worth it.
In one season it’s pretty clear that Gibbs has been worth the wait and the cost.
For starters he has been durable. He is one of only four players at Adelaide to play every game alongside Hugh Greenwood, Josh Jenkins and Sam Jacobs.
He has also been asked to do a lot of grunt work in a midfield that has missed Sloane for a large part of the year, Brad Crouch for the entire season and Matt Crouch at times.
He’s also been thrown forward where on Saturday he took Port’s best defender Tom Jonas back to the goalsquare.
Gibbs has averaged 26 disposals in his 19 games — equal to this last two seasons at Carlton which were both very good — and would easily be top five in Adelaide’s best-and-fairest.
He’s a natural ball winner but as Sloane says his true value came with his experience which told him to be in the right spot at the right time and on Saturday night that was standing in Dixon’s way as Port tried to put the Crows away.
GOOD WEEKEND FOR …
Josh Jenkins. Match-winning goal aside, his overall performance (18 disposals, eight marks, 3 goals) and refreshing honesty post-match was absolute first class.
ONE TO FORGET FOR …
Rule makers. Under fire from all angles — literally — on the weekend. From score review controversy to plans on changing the game after such a brilliant weekend of footy.
BURNING QUESTION …
Will Dougal Howard return for Port? Has missed two games with a broken hand but the Power desperately needs him for the West Coast clash.
ROUND 20 POWER RANKINGS
1. RICHMOND (15-4)
The Tigers are now a lock for the minor premiership and will have a clear path on the MCG all the way to the grand final.
Play Gold Coast, Essendon and Western Bulldogs in the final three games.
2. GWS GIANTS (12-6-1)
The Giants continue to stake a serious claim for not only top-four but the flag. Punished Carlton yesterday and Josh Kelly had 41 disposals but it came at a big cost with a mounting injury toll.
3. WEST COAST (14-5)
Clinical from the Eagles who have one hand on a top four finish but what an amazing moment of madness from Andrew Gaff who will probably miss their finals campaign now.
4. COLLINGWOOD (12-7)
Narrow loss to Sydney put a dent in their top-four hopes but have Brisbane, Port and Fremantle on the run home so are in a favourable position.
5. MELBOURNE (12-7)
The Demons have jumped into the top four after yesterday’s mauling of the Gold Coast at home. The question is can they stay there? With Sydney, West Coast (in Perth) and GWS to come, it’s unlikely.
6. GEELONG (11-8)
Chris Scott believes the Tigers are beatable and on Friday night’s evidence he’s right. The Cats had more of the ball, won clearances and contested possession but Richmond were more efficient. If Ablett kicks that goal, Geelong wins but not sure he deserved the criticism from Dermott Brereton.
7. HAWTHORN (12-7)
Typical Hawthorn who just grinded it out when they had to in the final quarter. Ben Stratton’s influence was huge.
8. PORT ADELAIDE (12-7)
Port’s last month is LLWL. The Ollie Wines miss, the soft 50m against Westhoff, the acres of space in defence for Jenkins to run into. So many what-ifs for Port without debating the Jenkins goal that sealed the Showdown. Tough run home so that one might sting.
9. SYDNEY (12-7)
Lance Franklin went from being almost unable to move last week to winning the game against Collingwood. Alex Johnson’s return was the story though. Great resilience.
10. NTH. MELB (11-8)
The Kangaroos are still alive and have every chance to make it with the Bulldogs, Adelaide and St Kilda to come.
11. ADELAIDE (10-9)
Josh Jenkins’ goal won the game but you can’t under state how important David Mackay’s ball-use going inside 50, Jordan Gallucci’s work around stoppage and Wayne Milera’s bump on Travis Boak in the final minute was crucial in the win.
12. ESSENDON (10-9)
The Bombers look like missing the finals but it’s far from a wasted year given the teams that are around them on the ladder but that won’t ease the pain of their supporters.
13. BRISBANE (4-15)
Brisbane has just about sealed the title for most improved team in the competition this year. If Rayner kicks straight — a drop punt — they beat North.
14. W. BULLDOGS (6-13)
Marcus Bontempelli’s presence in the Dogs’ forward line sparked the win over St Kilda with four goals in the third term. Expect to see a lot more of that next season.
15. ST KILDA (4-14-1)
Hugely disappointing for the Saints given their start — they kicked 4.2 to the Dogs’ 0.5 in the first quarter but couldn’t go on with it.
16. FREMANTLE (7-12)
Bradley Hill was the Dockers’ best with 30 touches but they were smashed in the Derby.
17. GOLD COAST (4-15)
Never fired a shot against Melbourne. Brisbane in the Q Clash their only hope of a win on the run home.
18. CARLTON (2-17)
Lost to GWS by 105 points even when the Giants were decimated by injury and the game was being played at Etihad Stadium. The end of the year can’t come quick enough.
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