Bone’s Port Adelaide player ratings for Round 14
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide’s big Round 14 win against Melbourne and come up with his key points and player ratings.
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide’s big Round 14 win against Melbourne and come up with his key points and player ratings.
Power fast five
1. The game should have been all but over by half-time with Melbourne leading the inside 50m count 39-17. That’s a staggering differential but they led on the scoreboard by just two points. It came on the back of a dominant Max Gawn in the ruck and a 28-15 clearance advantage to Melbourne. If Port didn’t fix it at the half-time break the game would be over. However, allowing opposition teams 68 inside 50m to 39 will not win you another game.
2. Gawn vs Ryder was the match-up of the night. The hit out numbers didn’t tell the true story with Gawn more prominent around the ground and Ryder appearing to struggle for fitness but the Port’s ability to change it up and throw Westhoff and Dixon into ruck for brief stints proved invaluable. They had another 17 hitouts between them while Gawn had all Melbourne’s except just one. How valuable that duo was!
3. The Sam Powell-Pepper story continues. In a classic contested battle the Power’s young gun stood as tall as any with 17 tackles. The 20-year-old made a statement before a ball was bounced and he did not let up until the final siren sounded. He chased, tackled, annoyed, intimidated and won his own ball in a game made for finals football. I’m not sure there has been a more impressive display on a big stage from any player let alone a 31 gamer this season. SPP we applaud you.
4. Port has another gear. It is the sign of a very good team that can play at one level for a period of time and then take it up a notch or two when the game is on the line. The Power did just that. Supremely led by their captain, their vice-captain and every one of their leaders. Lindsay Thomas must get another honourable mention for playing exactly the way he said he would. His impact must not go unnoticed.
5. One passage of play right at the death defined the Power. A contested mark to OIllie Wines then another contested mark to Charlie Dixon, followed by a contested mark to Paddy Ryder followed by another contested mark to Ollie Wines, who had worked 200m from defence to attack. Four players made huge efforts in their moment. How did Wines get there to have a shot on goal? What a passage of play it was. Season defining, I think.
Port player ratings
Boak
Raised the bar in the second term after a slow start by him and the team and a 14-4 stoppage hiding. As usual when this man raises the bar , his team follows. This man just keeps producing. 7
Powell-Pepper
Went head to head with Melbourne’s young bull , Clayton Oliver and won the duel in a canter. 17 tackles said it all but so did his enormous 94 pressure acts. That is a bench mark that will not be challenged for a very long time. 7
Ryder
Had his hands full with Max Gawn from the very start and showed his frustration giving a free kick away from an undisciplined act. Fitness or form , it doesn’t matter the Power big man was struggling for a rare time and must be handled with extreme care. 5
Motlop
Out of sorts again early as he fumbled his way thru the opening term with just 1 clean possession then classy short pass to Ebert set up their 2nd goal then another to Boak for their 4th. It appeared to ignite him into action and while his numbers weren’t huge he influenced the game at important times. 5
Ebert
Kicked the Powers only goal of the first quarter as the siren sounded to end the term and then kept them within reach with his 2nd. Not at his best but at his most competitive and that counted for plenty. 6
R. Gray
Unsighted in the opening term with just one possession in the first 30 minutes and only four to half-time. Early goal in the third pushed him into the game and another came soon after as he threatened to blow the game open. Liked his understanding with Wingard as their partnership starts to blossom. 6
Rockliff
Suited by the tight-contested game and won some valuable ball at key moments until he faded in the last quarter but there is plenty to like about how his game is evolving. 5
Marshall
Showed great courage but paid a price for it with a heavy collision and missed the resultant set shot at goal. Came on and off the ground after that as the knock appeared to take its toll and his battle with Jack Watts for a place in this team is on. 4
Wines
Quiet start to this one but elevated his game along with others in the second quarter. Thrived in the crash and bash game with a team-high 18 contested possessions. His piece of play in the dying minute when he grabbed a contested pack mark to beging a Power surge down the field whioch Wines ultimately finished off with another pack mark and the final shot on goal was a statement piece in itself. 7
Clurey
Nice mark early to settle his nerves in this big game but had his challenges all night handling a range of the Demons forwards. Once again his athleticism to play on a tall or mid-sized forward and compete in the air and on the ground was exceptional. 5
Wingard
Looked dangerous without doing much until nice mark and classy goal from the pocket levelled the scores midway thru the second term. His game is building and while his kicking has suffered from his hamstring issues he is building his game as September draws near. 6
Polec
Fumbly first quarter but continued to work had and get his hands on the ball. Did most of his work in defence and while the style of game didn’t suit him his work rate and persistence was excellent. 5
Dixon
Great tackle to earn a free but long shot on goal went wide as he struggled to hit the scoreboard and had just another two possessions for the opening half. His first goal of the night narrowed the margin to eight points halfway through the third term and his assistance in the ruck can not be underestimated. 5
Bonner
Injured his thumb early but returned after a short spell and didn’t look to be too restricted. Ball use much better but \reasonably quiet night from the youngster. 4
Pittard
Began well in defence with some clean possession and strong rebound and his ability to intercept and read the play looks to be returning to its best. Much to like about this game and his impact on the way this team plays. 6
Howard
Fumbled the ball on the goal line to concede another first quarter goal to Melbourne and had his hands full with Tom McDonald, the Demons hot forward of the last six weeks. Hung in and weathered some tough times to finish on top and provide another team-high 14 one percenters and a couple of nice marks. 5
Byrne-Jones
Hardly sighted in the first half with just five possessions to his name. Much of the same in the second half but he stuck to his task and kept the Demons smalls well in check. 5
Westhoff
Continued his good form early but another to drop out of it in the second and go to the long break with just six possessions. Strong mark in the goal square followed by another beauty and goal to all but seal the game just shows his great value to this team. 6
Jonas
Strong start with nine possessions and some solid rebound and another A-typical Jonas outing full of physical impact and faultless defence. 20 possessions, 12 one percenters and 11 marks made for an outstanding night out. 8
Houston
Plenty of ball early in a good return to his best. With others around him struggling to win possession he stood tall. Nobody delivered the footbal out defence better. 6
S. Gray
Began well but disappeared just as quickly. Struggled through the game but kicked the goal that put them in front half way through the last term. 4
Thomas
Quiet start with just a handful of disposals and a missed set shot on goal but created several opportunities and liked what he offered including great goal in the last term. 5