Chris McDermott’s Round 12 fast fives and Crows, Power ratings
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s Round 12 efforts and come up with his key points and player ratings.
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- Don Pyke facing biggest challenge
- Crows in a world of pain
- Ken Hinkley’s silver lining: Kane Cornes
- Power star Chad Wingard has last laugh
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s Round 12 efforts and come up with his key points and player ratings.
Crows fast five
1. Turnovers kill you. The Crows committed four bad ones in the first term and the Dockers made them pay every time. With so many new faces, the Crows looked indecisive coming out of their back half. Never give a sucker an even break, the Crows did and trailed by 22 points at the first change. It would end up costing them the game.
2. To their credit the Crows turned that 22-point deficit at quarter time into a 12-point lead in the space of 30 minutes. Their experienced heads rose to the occasion, none better than Bryce Gibbs and Sam Gibson. The Crows two mature-aged recruits stood tall in and did exactly what Don Pyke recruited them to do but they lacked support from the rest of the team .
3. Crows Tom Doedee provided the highlight of the game when he chased down Michael Walters from almost 20m behind as the Docker ran into an open goal with the game on the line. It was a sensational individual effort which should have inspired his team to victory. Injuries aside there is something not quite right with this team at the moment.
4. The Crows were undermanned and not at full strength but playing injured/unfit players that cannot run is not on. The decision to play Taylor Walker in this game was a mistake. Fremantle played their kids and they did not let them down. The Crows chose not to and it was a mistake. Riley O’Brien, Curtly Hampton were both available but ignored. Why?
5. Outworked, out-tackled, out-played and it’s hard to argue they were also out coached. This is rock-bottom in a season that has been on the nose since preseason. It began with “Collective minds” and it has gone downhill ever since. None of it helps secure the future of “Rory Sloane “. Houston , we have a problem!
Power fast five
1. The Power produced their best quarter of football of the season and proved they can belong with the league’s elite by kicking seven goals to two against the reigning premiers in the second term. After a sluggish first quarter and a few words from coach Ken Hinkley, they responded in the best way possible. The win was invaluable but the connection between player and coach was more important. It proves the team is listening and wins should follow.
2. One man can make a difference, but a team can guarantee it. As good as Jared Polec, Ollie Wines, Justin Westhoff and Chad Wingard were in the first half this was a total team performance and a great response after the disappointment of last weekend. Jasper Pittard didn’t set the world on fire but his selection got the balance right. It was no surprise to see Darcy Byrne-Jones and Dan Houston thrive as a result and just as interesting to see the win came without big games from Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Patrick Ryder, Charlie Dixon and Steven Motlop.
3. It may have taken an old-fashioned bake from Hinkley but sometimes its justified. Polec had 16 possessions, 11 of them in a sensational second quarter and 11 contested possessions by half-time. The boy can play but its been a struggle in recent times watching him work towards his best. It was a similar struggle on Friday night. His first term was error-riddled but his second term was outstanding. Polec at his best makes this team better. His old run and carry was back and the goals followed. It was another sign that things for the Power are getting closer.
4. But .. it wasn’t all good news and that may be the beauty of this win. Everything that was good in the first half turned bad and some of the bad Port Adelaide from Tasmania last weekend returned. Suddenly all kicks were short and slow and their slow ball movement simply does not work. The Power kicked just one goal in the second half after their seven-goal second quarter. As important as the win was there is still much to do at Alberton.
5. The Power against the reigning premiers in perfect conditions, games don’t get much bigger than this one. But only a crowd of only 40,000. Here’s hoping they can pull a better this crowd Thursday night at the Adelaide Oval against the Western Bulldogs.
Crows player ratings
Greenwood
Had a challenging day but a big mark in the goal square early in the last term and a straight kick that narrowed the margin to just seven points almost saved his day. One of many that did not look 100 percent fit. 5
Jenkins
Injured early and taken from the ground but returned at the start of the second term to kick a much needed long goal to get the Crows a little closer. Kicked his second goal soon after but thrown into ruck to relieve Jacobs and a forward target was lost. He must play in attack full time while so many are missing. 5
M Crouch
Had 16 disposals in the opening half without appearing to be heavily involved and solid game from start to finish but did appear to cop a physical battering from the Dockers midfielders that slowed him a fraction. 6
Gibbs
Was the key player in the Crows revival controlling the game from the midfield. Nine tackles said it all about his solid all round game. 7
Kelly
No big name to stand and found himself out of the action for long periods of time. Overall another solid game without a major influence. 5
Seedsman
Unsighted early in difficult conditions and found it difficult to get as involved but when he did he was at his brilliant best. Hands were outstanding along with a couple of excellent marks. 6
Talia
Gave an unecessary free kick away that resulted in a goal as the Crows struggled early but tightened up immediately and imposed himself on this game. Did appear to slow a fraction and his impact lessened. 5
Walker
Found a way to play and got involved early with a nice mark but kick dropped surprisingly short. Got his first and only goal just before half time with a free kick from 50m but there wasn’t much else. 4
Mackay
No decent ball to speak of early and struggled again to get involved . On a ground that should have suited him he had a day to forget. 4
Hartigan
Solid in defence with a couple of strong marks in the first half but found BrennanCox a forward too difficult to keep in check. 5
Brown
Marked well and strongly early but had his worked cut out on Michael Walters at the same time. Fought the good fight until he injured his ankle ending his afternoon. 5
Betts
Got the Crows first goal of the game with a clever stoppage win from close to goal. Could have and should have won this game for the Crows off his own boot but his radar was off and what should have been 6.2 ended up a disappointing 2.6. 5
Gibson
Had arguably his best half in his brief time at West Lakes winning some quality ball in the midfield and hitting the scoreboard with a clever snap on goal. Continued to compete and fight hard but like several others he tired. 6
Atkins
Liked his work early with some strong contests and good 50/50 wins but it ended too quickly and resulted in a disappointing day for him. 4
Jacobs
Ruck work brilliant as usual but didn’t result in clearance dominance for the Crows. Again struggled to get around the ground with any great effect and had just eight possessions to his name. 5
Douglas
Snapped goal early in the second term to get up and running and while he looked dangerous and had some good minutes he didn’t have the same influence as in recent weeks. 5
Ellis-Yolmen
No impact on the game at all in the first half with just seven disposals to the long break. Second half even quieter and looks to be hanging out for the mid-season break. 4
Milera
Started well with 10 disposals in the first term and 17 by half-time but efficiency let him down going at just 58 percent. Looks a dead-set defender at this stage of his career but he too fatigued and dropped right out of it. 5
Fogarty
Threatened again without capitalising on all of his opportunities. Good physical presence but has to do more. 4
Doedee
Quiet opening half but sensational tackle to deny Walters a goal may well have and should have changed the result of this game. It didn’t but the lad continues to build on his game. 6
Murphy
Couldn’t influence this game enough and just appeared to lack confidence with ball in hand. 4
Poholke
Won some ball but hesitancy hurt him again. Six inside 50’s a good indication he is getting the ball in the right place but needs to make more of them count. 5
Power player ratings
Boak
At his workman-like best setting the standard for his men to follow but didn’t get the value from his touches as normal. The beauty was he could marshal his troops and they played their roles well. 5
Powell-Pepper
Started this game well with a strong defensive role on Trent Cotchin but he also won plenty of ball in good spots. A complete game in every regard from this rapidly developing midfielder. 7
Neade
Refer previous weeks assessment, his pressure is outstanding but he must hit the scoreboard and didn’t look likely in the first half. His work rate and defensive pressure gets top marks but he will know the goals must come soon. 5
Ryder
Ruck work was excellent once again especially in the centre square but there was little around the ground as he continues to struggle to find his best since his return. He is being very carefully managed and its working but it doesn’t look to be a recipe for an entire season. 6
Motlop
Looked out of sorts and just a fraction fumbly in pretty good conditions until he joined the party with a classy goal to put the Power three goals in front. Its just not falling into place for him at the moment but it will. Patience a must with this man. 5
Ebert
Unobtrusive opening half but an obvious responsibility for Shaun Grigg and kept him in control for much of the first half. Played his role in the victory without ever rising to his brilliant best. 5
R. Gray
Quiet start and kept well in check by Richmond defence until a right foot banana-goal with his first kick of the night got him back into his groove. Received his second from a free kick when the Power desperately needed one but it was a hard night in the office for the superstar. 5
Rockliff
Raised his game when he needed to and was an important part of the Power’s recovery in the second term with some critical touches. Has definitely found his feet in this team and raised his level of performance and like all their new faces, his best is still to come. 6
Wines
Unsighted in the opening term with just two disposals and no impact on this big game but found his mojo in the second quarter to become a powerhouse. Marked above his head as well as he ever has and physically imposed himself on this game with 16 contested possessions and 12 brutal tackles. 8
Clurey
Had his hands full on Jack Riewoldt early but tightened up just when Riewoldt threatened to blow the game open. His aerial defensive work was good with 12 one percenters in a solid contribution. 5
Wingard
Got his hands on the ball early with a fresh start in the midfield racking up nine disposals in first term. After a tough week and some obvious soul searching the signs of his best just started to show. It is the start not the end and Hinkley needs to get the right balance of Wingard on the ball and in attack for him to flourish. 7
Polec
Couple of mistakes in a shaky first quarter but kept on finding the footy and kicked important long goal from 50m just before the long break as he began to dominate with 11 contested possessions in the half. Not as explosive and damaging after the long break but his damage had been done. He must continue to repeat that performance. 7
Dixon
Started well with three marks and a goal in the opening 10 minutes and looked dangerous all night without getting a great result. Much to like and his ability to play with pain and under duress is an inspiration. 5
Watts
Indifferent game again with some good moments but too many quiet periods. Not presenting well enough as a target in attack and appears to be playing more as a small forward than a target. Needs a slight tweak. 4.
Bonner
Worked himself into the game after a slow start and he too showed glimpses of a greater will to run and carry than in recent weeks. Much better performance and a platform to build on. 5
Howard
Strong defensive game again with his usual high number of strong spoils but it was his marking that was a feature as his confidence grows. It’s a good sign that he can force Jack Hombsch to the SANFL and this man is showing all the signs of becoming the Power’s best tall defender. 7
Byrne-Jones
Found his attacking best from half-back and rebounded at will from the opening bounce. The complete game we have been waiting to see and he produced it against the AFL’S very best on the big stage. Brilliant. 8
Westhoff
Like Dixon began the night well with three shots on goal but just the one goal in the first term but quickly added a second and third in the second term as he threatened to be the difference between the two teams. Set the victory up with a magnificent opening half in another great sign for this team. 7
Jonas
Brilliant negating job on Josh Caddy holding him scoreless for the first half and without a goal or an assist for the entire game. Job done. Very well done! 7
Houston
Another very defensive-minded first half with just fourpossessions and while those numbers improved slightly as the game progressed he still has another level to reach. Hinkley will take his defence-first attitude and it was a successful outing for the youngster. 5
S. Gray
Won good ball in the opening half and showed his full bag of tricks to kick two goals in the Power’s impressive second term. Ball use let him down for a rare time and is 2.3 scoreline could easily have been a bag of five on another night. 6
J. Pittard
Struggled to get into this tough, tightly contested game and there was little room for his run and carry but still played an important part. His four inside 50’s, five rebounds from defence and five one percenters were invaluable. 5
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