The key men for Port Adelaide and Adelaide going into Showdown 42
THE Advertiser’s Andrew Capel ranks the Showdown 42 combatants from 1 to 44, basing his judgment on player quality, importance to his side and Showdown record.
Andrew Capel
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THE Advertiser’s Andrew Capel ranks the Showdown 42 combatants from 1 to 44, basing his judgment on player quality, importance to his side and Showdown record.
1. Eddie Betts (Crows)
Gun small forward ignites his side and has a remarkable Showdown record, kicking 24 goals in six matches.
2. Robbie Gray (Power)
Three consecutive club champion awards prove he is Port’s best player. Dual Showdown Medallist is dangerous around goal - he kicked six last week against Fremantle.
3. Rory Sloane (Crows)
Rated by Kane Cornes as one of the three toughest players in the AFL. Overcame a fractured eye socket in the pre-season to lay 15 tackles against Hawthorn last round.
4. Sam Jacobs (Crows)
One of two dual Showdown Medallists in the game. Derbies bring the best out of him and his ruck clash with Paddy Ryder will be pivotal.
5. Ollie Wines (Power)
The vice-captaincy appears to have brought the best out of Port’s Raging Bull, while his partnership with Sam Powell-Pepper has seen them dubbed The Bash Brothers.
6. Chad Wingard (Power)
Brilliant small forward/midfielder won Port the final Showdown at Football Park in 2013 with a five-goal performance. A game-changer.
7. Paddy Ryder (Power)
His season-long ban over the Essendon saga hurt Port badly last year but the ruckman with elite hit-outs-to-advantage ability hasn’t missed a beat on his return.
8. Taylor Walker (Crows)
Adelaide’s inspirational captain has a solid Showdown record, kicking 29 goals in 11 games, but has the ability to rip a game apart. Leads from the front.
9. Daniel Talia (Crows)
The Crows’ No. 1 stopper is the key to their defensive structure. Is rarely beaten in one-on-one contests and last season lifted his disposal average from 10.6 to 15.6.
10. Travis Boak (Power)
Port captain is relishing more outside run duties because of the Power’s new engine room mix, averaging 26 disposals and 340m gained in the opening two rounds.
11. Rory Laird (Crows)
Defensive ball magnet is one of the AFL’s best playmaking backmen. Had a career-high 40 disposals in round one and sets up more defensive rebounds than any other Crow.
12. Tom Lynch (Crows)
Dubbed “The Connector’’, the mobile forward is the key link man between the 50m arcs. Won the Showdown 40 medal with six goals and 21 disposals.
13. Brad Ebert (Power)
Port’s Mr Consistent has gone from run-with midfielder last season to centre square playmaker this year. Ebert joins Wines and Powell-Pepper in giving the Power a harder inside edge.
14. Sam Powell-Pepper (Power)
Fair effort from a first-year player to be rated this highly in his first Showdown but the 19-year-old midfield toughman has brought crucial aggression and energy to Port’s on-ball brigade.
15. Charlie Cameron (Crows)
Has transformed from dangerous small forward to game-breaking midfielder to add another dimension to the Crows’ game. Averages of 20 disposals, 7.5 tackles and 1.5 goals tell the story.
16. Justin Westhoff (Power)
The Power’s Mr Fixit has yet to set the world on fire this season but his height, athleticism and flexibility is crucial.
17. Rory Atkins (Crows)
Classy wingman was a draft steal at No. 81 in 2012. Uses the ball well, makes good decisions and has kicked four goals in the first two rounds.
18. Brodie Smith (Crows)
Speedy defender who breaks the lines with his run-and-carry and long kicking. Last year the Crows scored from 49 per cent of his kicks inside 50, highlighting his value.
19. Charlie Dixon (Power)
His performances don’t deserve such a high ranking but the giant key forward is Port’s No.1 inside-50 target and after a four-goal haul last week he looms as a game-changer.
20. Matt Crouch (Crows)
Reigning Showdown Medallist, with 33 disposals. Is not flashy but plays a vital midfield role with his ability to win clearances.
21. Jared Polec (Power)
Back to his hard-running best after two injury- and poor form-riddled years following a breakout 2014 campaign.
22. Hamish Hartlett (Power)
A late withdrawal with illness against Fremantle, his career has been built as much on promise as performance but when on song the midfielder-turned-half-back can be a matchwinner.
23. Mitch McGovern (Crows)
Superb mark who has the potential to be one of the AFL’s best forwards, leading to a tug of war for his services between the Crows and Eagles. Ranks equal-first for score involvements (22).
24. Jake Lever (Crows)
Strong-marking defender will have a point to prove after being left out of Adelaide’s first two games as he found form in the SANFL following a pre-season hamstring injury.
25. Luke Brown (Crows)
No-nonsense small defender kicked just his ninth goal in 93 games against the Hawks. Will have his defensive hands full with Robbie Gray or Wingard in the Power attack.
26. Matthew Broadbent (Power)
Long-kicking backman plays a key role as a link man, providing strong rebound while also pinch-hitting in the midfield.
27. Richard Douglas (Crows)
Spent the summer learning how to play half-back but due to injuries has played an integral role in the midfield, averaging 20 disposals and a goal.
28. Jackson Trengove (Power)
Defender-turned-ruckman and then forward might have to go back to cover for the big loss of injured Jack Hombsch.
29. Aaron Young (Power)
Livewire medium forward was one of Port’s few bright spots last season, kicking 37 goals — second only to Wingard (38). Seven of those came in the two Showdowns.
30. Darcy Byrne-Jones (Power)
Like Young, was one of the finds of the season for the Power last year as the small defender won an AFL Rising Star nomination and shut down some big-name opponents. Could get Betts.
31. Tom Jonas (Power)
Reliable backman has played a key role in Port boasting the league’s most miserly defence after round two, conceding an average of just 69 points.
32. Andy Otten (Crows)
One of football’s great stories, with the 10-year veteran returning to AFL ranks in round one after two years on the injured list or in the SANFL.
33. Kyle Hartigan (Crows)
An old-fashioned key defender in that he isn’t flashy but gets the job done defensively most weeks. The ultimate team player.
34. Wayne Milera (Crows)
Classy midfielder is starting to show why the Crows made him their top pick at the 2015 national draft.
35. David Mackay (Crows)
Questions over whether the speedy utility was in Adelaide’s best side at the start of the season but he has produced some of his best form.
36. Jarman Impey (Power)
Returned last week from a club-imposed one-match ban and showed why coach Ken Hinkley rates him in his best 22 by showcasing his electrifying speed.
37. Sam Gray (Power)
Midfielder is playing as a high half-forward this season and Hinkley has praised his contribution, saying “he’s been doing an outstanding job of what he’s been asked to do for the team’’.
38. Tom Clurey (Power)
Lockdown key defender has the chance, in his fifth year on the list, to finally cement his spot in the team.
39. Dan Houston (Power)
Upgraded rookie has proved a real find after moving from attack to defence in the SANFL last year.
40. Riley Knight (Crows)
Powerful runner who is a line-breaker got his round-one chance after the late withdrawal of Walker and has made it count, averaging 17 disposals and a goal.
41. Curtly Hampton (Crows)
Pre-season track-burner hasn’t fired in the opening two rounds, averaging just 11 disposals, but his speed and strength — he has laid 16 tackles — are key ingredients in the new-look midfield.
42. Brett Eddy (Power)
Key forward had to wait until age 27 to find an AFL home and kicked his first big-league goals against Fremantle.
43. Karl Amon (Power)
Smooth-moving utility is not spectacular but Hinkley likes his versatility, ability to plug holes and hit inside-50 targets with his raking left-foot kick.
44. Jake Kelly (Crows)
Defender didn’t play an AFL game last year but has performed admirably in the first two rounds. Not flashy but is as tough as nails and hard to beat one-on-one.
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