Andrew Capel ranks the Showdown 44 movers and shakers
ANDREW Capel ranks Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s movers and shakers in his Showdown 44 depth chart.
Andrew Capel
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ANDREW Capel ranks Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s movers and shakers in his Showdown 44 depth chart.
1. ROBBIE GRAY (Power)
It’s pretty simple. Gray is Port’s best player, its gamebreaker, and if it is going to cause an upset he is likely going to have to produce some trademark magic in the middle and up forward. He is a dual Showdown Medallist. Showdown SuperCoach average: 98.2
2. RORY LAIRD (Crows)
It’s rare that a defender gets ranked this highly but Laird is in a league of his own. He is second in the league for disposals (247) and has become the first player in VFL-AFL history to have 30 or more in each of the first seven rounds. SC: 86.1
3. SAM JACOBS (Crows)
Is the only current player to win an equal-record three Showdown Medals, having achieved the feat in Showdown 43 when he smashed Paddy Ryder in the ruck. Mark Ricciuto (Crows) and Josh Francou (Power) are the only other triple Showdown Medallists. SC: 107.3
4. EDDIE BETTS (Crows)
The pocket rocket is another Showdown specialist, having kicked 31 goals in his eight derbies. The Crows' four-times leading goalkicker has had a slow start to the season, missing two games with a strained hamstring, but is capable of tearing a game apart.
SC: 97.7
5. BRYCE GIBBS (Crows)
The Showdown debutant has been everything Adelaide hoped for and more when it secured him from Carlton. Has averaged 27 disposals, six clearances and a goal and has held together a midfield hit hard by injuries.
SC: No Rating
6. PADDY RYDER (Power)
Well beaten by Eagle Nic Naitanui on his return from missing five games with an Achilles injury but can turn a game for Port with his elite leaping ability and outstanding tap ruck work.
SC: 92.5
7. OLLIE WINES (Power)
Raging Bull has dropped off after a strong start to the season as the physical battering he cops each week starts to take its toll. Vice-captain is battling a sore ankle but must lead from the front this week.
SC: 98.0
8. MATT CROUCH (Crows)
Midfield ball magnet and 2017 club champion and All-Australian has been one of the Crows’ eight hamstring victims this season but is starting to regain top form, which spells danger for Port.
SC: 101.8
9. TAYLOR WALKER (Crows)
Crows captain polarises opinion but illustrated his leadership and key forward gamebreaking capabilities with a standout display against Sydney in round five. There are questions over his fitness after having missed last week with a hamstring injury.
SC: 84.5
10. TOM JONAS (Power)
Rock of Gibraltar key defender has arguably been Port’s best player this season. Has not only been a master lockdown player but is averaging a team-best nine marks and 18 disposals.
SC: 69.6
11. TOM LYNCH (Crows)
“The Connector’’ is one of Adelaide’s most important players because of his ability to get up and down the ground and connect defence to attack. Won the Showdown 40 Medal and is a nightmare match-up.
SC: 94.5
12. CHAD WINGARD (Power)
Huge gamble to play him after he missed just one match with a strained hamstring. Brilliant forward/midfielder has been below his best this season, kicking just seven goals in six games. But he can win a game off his own boot.
SC: 83.4
13. BRAD EBERT (Power)
Hard-as-nails midfielder runs hard and loves the big stage of Showdowns. He ranks second in the league in tackles with 59 at an average of 8.4 — three more than any team-mate.
SC: 92.3
14. DANIEL TALIA (Crows)
The Crows’ best key defender is a dual All-Australian who is rarely beaten by his opponent. Incredibly disciplined and is likely to get the job on Port’s leading goalkicker last year, Charlie Dixon.
SC: 51.1
15. CHARLIE DIXON (Power)
Had a tough season mixing ruck duties with being the Power’s No. 1 man in attack. Has kicked just five goals in seven matches after booting a career-best 49 last season. Must stand up on the big stage.
SC: 59.3
16. TRAVIS BOAK (Power)
Port skipper has been solid rather than spectacular this season as a high forward having an occasional run through the midfield. High in score involvements but needs to hit the scoreboard more.
SC: 95.8
17. PAUL SEEDSMAN (Crows)
The metre-eater is enjoying the best season of his eight-year career after overcoming chronic groin problems. A long kick and hard runner who leads the AFL in metres gained (average 641) which illustrates his value.
SC: 75.3
18. RICHARD DOUGLAS (Crows)
One of the most underrated players in the competition keeps on keeping on. Coach Don Pyke’s Mr Fixit can play in various roles and was best afield against Carlton last week with 28 disposals and two goals.
SC: 81.0
19. JARED POLEC (Power)
Port's leading territory player is enjoying his best season. The speedy wingman who loves to run and carry the ball is averaging a team-high 467 metres gained and a career-high 26.7 disposals.
SC: 59.5
20. JUSTIN WESTHOFF (Power)
The tall swingman’s greatest value is his ability to play so many roles — from key forward, to wingman, to key defender and ruckman — that can cause match-up problems for the opposition.
SC: 82.8
21. MITCH McGOVERN (Crows)
Still searching for consistency but his career-best five-goal haul against Carlton last week was an example of his aerial and goalkicking ability. Doesn’t need too many touches to make a big impact.
SC: 63.7
22. SAM GRAY (Power)
One of Port’s big improvers this season. The small forward/midfielder is surprisingly his club’s leading goalkicker, with 12, while averaging 15 disposals and five marks.
SC: 59.7
23. HUGH GREENWOOD (Crows)
Bruising midfielder leads the Crows in tackles, with an average of six, while a team-high 13 of his average 19 disposals are contested, illustrating his strength around the contest.
SC: 114.1
24. LUKE BROWN (Crows)
No-fuss back pocket rarely features in highlights packages but also is rarely beaten by his opponent. In previous coach Phil Walsh’s words, Brown just gets the job done each week.
SC: 62.2
25. TOM DOEDEE (Crows)
Remember Jake Lever, the supposedly irreplaceable intercept marking defender who joined Melbourne? Doedee, who took three years to make his debut after being a first-round draft pick in 2015, has been a revelation.
SC: No Rating
26. JOSH JENKINS (Crows)
The key forward kicked 193 goals in the previous four seasons at an average of 48, which puts him elite territory. But he has polarised Crows fans because of his hot-and-cold nature. If he fires, Adelaide will be halfway home.
SC: 74.7
27. DARCY BYRNE-JONES (Power)
Tough, unfashionable, no-frills defender who is as hard as a cat’s head. The former Scotch College, Melbourne, student loves the contest and is likely to be handed the unenviable task of trying to stop Betts.
SC: 63.9
28. STEVEN MOTLOP (Power)
Former Cat has had a tough start to his Port career, averaging a modest 18 disposals and kicking six goals. But he is brilliant on his day and looms as one of Showdown 44’s biggest X-factors.
SC: No Rating
29. RORY ATKINS (Crows)
“The Rat’’ hasn’t been at his playmaking best this season but he still oozes class and good things generally happen when the ball finds its way into his hands. A smooth mover.
SC: 56.6
30. TOM ROCKLIFF (Power)
The former Lions captain and 2014 All-Australian should be among his first Showdown’s prime performers but he is still finding his feet after his move from Brisbane and knee and calf injuries. It is only a matter of time before he fires.
SC: No Rating
31. CAM ELLIS-YOLMEN (Crows)
One season after not playing a game following a knee reconstruction he has enjoyed the best spell of his seven-year career, playing seven consecutive matches. A physical beast of a midfielder at 190cm and 97kg, he gives the Crows some much-needed strength in the middle.
SC: 98.8
32. SAM POWELL-PEPPER (Power)
His talent and power are unquestioned but how’s his mindset after the off-field incident that resulted in him being kept out of the AFL since round three? Will provide Port with extra muscle in the centre square.
SC: 34.2
33. JACK HOMBSCH (Power)
Third in Port’s best and fairest in 2015, he has overcome two years of bad injuries and being forced to start the season in the SANFL to reclaim his rightful spot as a centrepiece of the club’s defence.
SC: 66.7
34. JACK WATTS (Power)
Bagged six goals against the Crows in the pre-season Showdown, sparking belief that Port might have found a missing link to its forward line. But — just like the 2008 No. 1 draft pick was when at Melbourne — Watts has been frustratingly inconsistent.
SC: No Rating
35. DOUGAL HOWARD (Power)
Showed some terrific signs as a key defender at the start of the season before having to share the ruck duties in Ryder’s absence. Super-athletic and a strong mark, he should be Port’s long-term answer at centre half-back.
SC: 61.1
36. JAKE KELLY (Crows)
Tough, old-fashioned backman who plays the game hard and is equally adept at playing on talls and smalls. He adds some real steel to the Adelaide backline.
SC: 62.2
37. RILEY BONNER (Power)
Round one Rising Star nominee is a playmaker who possesses a booming left-foot kick. Has been inconsistent in his first season of regular AFL footy but his kick is a weapon, illustrated by his total metres gained average of 459.
SC: No Rating
38. DAVID MACKAY (Crows)
Hard-running wingman/half-back has been concussed twice this season but has still enjoyed a solid year, averaging 18 disposals. His pace is a weapon for coach Don Pyke.
SC: 68.1
39. DAN HOUSTON (Power)
A strong mark and good kick who was one of Port’s best against West Coast last week. Only Jonas, with five, averages more rebound-50s than Houston (four).
SC: 68.4
40. JORDAN GALLUCCI (Crows)
The 2016 first-round draft pick can play, possessing electrifying speed as a forward and midfielder. Had a breakout 20-disposal, two-goal performance against Gold Coast in round six.
SC: No Rating
41. ANDY OTTEN (Crows)
The slowest Crow ever to 100 games when he reached the milestone against the Suns. Utility who’s spent most of his career in defence took a remarkable nine years, 317 days to go from game one to 100.
SC: 69.8
42. JAKE NEADE (Power)
A great tease, the small forward’s best is brilliant and game-turning, with his ability to lay strong tackles in attack and kick goals. The downside is that he can go missing for long periods.
SC: 58.3
43. TOM CLUREY (Power)
Full back was a strong performer last season but lost his place in the side against West Coast last week. Has been brought back to help counter the Crows’ plethora of key forwards.
SC: 40.7
44. MYLES POHOLKE (Crows)
Strong-bodied onballer debuted against the Swans in round five and while he only averages nine disposals in two games, his strength will be handy in what looms as a brutal Showdown.
SC: No Rating
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