Chris McDermott rates performances of Port Adelaide and Adelaide during AFL trade period
CHRIS McDermott rates the performance of Adelaide and Port Adelaide during the AFL’s trade period — and reveals which club will be happiest with their wheeling and dealing.
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It’s been a long, drawn-out process, but after 10 days, the AFL trade period is officially over. Chris McDermott rates the performances of Adelaide and Port Adelaide, and looks at the best and worst-performed clubs over the past couple of weeks.
ADELAIDE CROWS
Rating: 8/10
What began as a major disaster for the Adelaide Football Club has ended up as no more than a hiccup and while the loss of Patrick Dangerfield to Geelong is significant it may well be a blessing in disguise.
History says it can be.
It’s been an eventful two weeks for the Crows. Dangerfield and Sam Kerridge are the losses.
Dean Gore, Curtly Hampton, Paul Seedsman and Troy Menzel are the gains.
Draft picks for 2015 and 2016 have also had a reshuffle but the smiles at West Lakes are a pretty good indication it hasn’t been the horror period many were expecting.
The beauty for the club under new coach Don Pyke is it has minimised the damage and been brave at one of the most important times of the year.
Get it right over the trade period and significant improvement can be made very quickly.
Refuse to play ball, and climbing the ladder gets more difficult by the day.
Full credit to head of football, David Noble and his team for having the same courage off the field they ask of their players on it.
This is now a football club in harmony, talking the talk and walking the walk.
First impressions of the inclusions suggest the Crows’ back six is about to undergo a major overhaul.
Hampton and Seedsman bring legitimate leg speed, creative flair and some run and carry like few others.
Hampton plays small, Seedsman plays taller and their inclusion to the defensive area will free up Brodie Smith to move up to a wing and Rory Laird to become a more permanent midfielder.
The duo’s inclusion will also allow Talia and Hartigan to do what they do best, defend and free up the others to provide the rebound.
A back six of Otten, Talia, Brown, Seedsman, Hartigan and Hampton would not surprise.
Then there’s Troy Menzel and Dean Gore.
Menzel we have seen and Menzel we like.
It’s a very potent forward line that boasts Menzel, Walker, Betts, Lynch, Jenkins and Cameron.
The Carlton flavour increases but all three — Jacobs, Betts and Menzel — are very talented matchwinners on their day.
Dean Gore is the unknown. Back on home soil expectations should be high but give him time.
Gore is still a very young man but he is in the best possible environment to be the best player he can be.
Like Hampton and Seedsman, the 19-year-old brings speed and skill to this team and an early hitout before the season proper begins to showcase his talents would not surprise.
The icing on the Crows trade period cake is they have managed to hold on to pick Nos 9 and 13 at this year’s national draft.
It is rare air indeed for the AFC. Using them wisely is a must.
After the toughest year in the Crows’ history, this trade period suggests there is genuine hunger and determination at West Lakes to continue their climb up the ladder.
Dangerfield’s loss cannot be overstated but it can be overcome.
The Crows’ history is littered with similar tales of one door closing but another opening.
Richard Douglas must step up. Rory Laird will. Brad Crouch must do likewise.
A contested ball monster, a stoppage dynamo and an inspiration has gone.
The king is dead.
Long live the new king!
PORT ADELAIDE
Rating: 8.5/10
Job done. Charlie Dixon was their man and Charlie Dixon now is their man.
Its been a well-planned and well-executed trade period for the PAFC — a club desperate to make amends for a very disappointing 2015 season.
Come the man, come the pressure and Dixon arrives at Alberton with an expectation to perform immediately.
He will get better service than ever before from a midfield rich in talent but he must cash in.
Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff and Paddy Ryder will be nearby at times and take the premium defenders, allowing Dixon some unexpected freedom.
A 50-goal season is a must.
Jimmy Toumpas has also joined the club after a less-than successful three years at Melbourne.
Despite an unflattering history in the AFL so far, this young man can really play the game.
Toumpas has good evasive skills and a handy turn of pace and, back in familiar territory, should be able to produce a much better game while adding depth to the Power’s already impressive midfield.
Securing a regular spot in the starting 22 in the not too distant future is his challenge.
Just as importantly, there have been no losses to the Powers depth of talent.
No sacrificial lambs. Bigman Matthew Lobbe loomed as a possible loss to the Western Bulldogs but very quickly showed great loyalty to stay true to his club and vowed to fight to re-establish his status as the No. 1 ruckman.
With the adjustments to the interchange rules for next season his role becomes even more important.
A decision to allow him to walk would have been a mistake the Power would have regretted.
Disaster averted.
Many clubs have appeared frantic and a little scattered with their choices over the past two weeks. The Power have been anything but.
Measured, patient and very clear on their decision making has been their way from day 1.
It has been a job well done.
It is now coach Ken Hinkley’s job to make these trades work.
Dixon’s addition will create an initial headache or two.
A forward line with him, Jay Schulz and Justin Westhoff looks too tall and one dimensional but add Chad Wingard, Robbie Gray, Jake Neade close and put Angus Monfries nearby and it presents a difficult challenge for even the very best defence in the game.
An attacking powerhouse with riches to burn has just been reborn.
Toumpas in the midfield shuffle to ease the burden and reliance on Jared Polec and Matthew White is a master stroke.
The Power’s list looks strong and runs deep but it must be also protected with some talented youth.
After conceding pick 10 to the Gold Coast to secure Dixon the Power will not enter the 2015 Draft until pick number 32,
It’s now time for list manager Jason Cripps and co to, once again, earn their money and find the gold.
BIGGEST WINNER — GEELONG
Rating: 10/10
Without doubt the big winners in this year’s trade period. It was Geelong then daylight.
Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson, Zac Smith and Scott Selwood have been added to their playing group to fill some significant holes created by the departures of some club legends.
It’s been a job very well done.
Beware the Cats in 2016.
Dangerfield, alongside Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop, Josh Caddie, Cam Guthrie and company will make an already strong midfield an even stronger one.
Selwood adds some extra grunt and may assume the role as protector.
Smith’s inclusion to the ruck division will create significant freedom for Mark Blicavs while Henderson alongside Tom Hawkins in attack can only enhance the Cats’ firepower.
BIGGEST LOSER — GOLD COAST
Rating: 2/10
The Western Bulldogs were a non-player after securing Hawthorn’s Matt Suckling via free agency.
He’s a great inclusion but it’s a cautious coach that doesn’t gamble in this period.
The Doggies aren’t that good yet, but the Gold Coast lost too much for mine and were the biggest loser during the trade period.
Harley Bennell, Zac Smith and Charlie Dixon are very good players and massive losses.
A club in disarray in 2015 has not made a statement apart from allowing some of their most important players to leave because its culture is not good enough.
Malcolm Blight’s departure might be an indication all is still far from perfect at the Suns.
It will take some time.
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