Bone’s mid-season player ratings: Plenty of positives for Power
AT the midway point of the 2018 season, Port Adelaide has eight wins and four losses and sits comfortably inside the eight. Chris McDermott rates every Power player.
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AT the midway point of the 2018 season, Port Adelaide has eight wins and four losses and sits comfortably inside the eight. Chris McDermott rates every Power player.
7 TRAVIS BOAK
When you think about the true nature of our great game and what it demands from a player and a leader, Travis Boak does it all and some of it at his personal expense. Ranks third at the Power for possessions, second for contested possessions and inside-50s and fourth for tackles in another well-rounded season. His impact on this group has rarely been greater.
4 JAKE NEADE
Ranks fifth at the Power for tackles and that is the key to his game time. Neade is a master of forward pressure and a consummate team man, but it’s a thankless role and he must hit the scoreboard more often to put his place beyond doubt. The 24-year-old hasn’t kicked a goal since round six and in his sixth year at Alberton he must raise the bar now or his game time will end.
5 PADDY RYDER
He hasn’t done it easily since his return from Achilles injury but no player influences the fortunes of this team more. As we’ve seen already this year, if he falls there is no alternative in ruck and the Power’s premiership dreams will be over. Ryder’s numbers are well down on his magnificent 2017 season and a return to anywhere near that level will only further enhance Port’s premiership hopes. This one man can make a very big difference.
5 STEVEN MOTLOP
We’ve seen moments of brilliance and his match-winning best — but not enough. Kicked five goals in his first three games but has managed just four more in his next nine. Appears caught in no-man’s land deciding whether to be a goal-scoring forward or a midfielder. If he can find his best, this team will be much harder to beat.
6 BRAD EBERT
Another of the key midfielders down on his best numbers and with plenty of upside heading into the second half of the season. Ebert suffers from being handed a variety of roles and it’s no surprise to see his stats dip from 25 disposals last year to 20 in 2018. Has played every game and had negating jobs in many but finding his best position is a must. Is the Power’s top tackler, averaging 7.5, but he is and must be so much more.
6 SAM POWELL-PEPPER
As difficult as the season has been for this young man, he will look back on it as the year that made him as a player. Missed four games after an off-field indiscretion but has returned in the best form of his career, averaging 24 possessions and six tackles. Efficiency isn’t quite at the level he would want, but that will improve with age and maturity. Looks a player made for the big stage and a big September is on the cards.
4 HAMISH HARTLETT
Was in very good form before he was struck down with a season-ending knee injury just five games in. He has proved to be hard to replace and the team has felt his absence. Has some challenges ahead to return to the level we’re used to but will have an important off-field role leading to finals.
7 ROBBIE GRAY
Not at his best yet after an interrupted start to the season, but the signs are there for a big second half of the year. Only kicked more than two goals in three of his 11 games and has been held goalless three times, leaving his 19 goals well off his career-best 47 last year. There have been reasons but the Power needs him at his best and the signs have been there the past four weeks.
5 TOM ROCKLIFF
His start was a little slow but since his return to senior ranks his special qualities have begun to show through. A key midfielder or a hard-nosed negater who averages four clearances a game. Expect big improvement from him over the second half of the season, in the mould of Thursday night’s performance.
2 TRENT McKENZIE
Made just the one appearance for the Power in his first season at Alberton and injury has cost him dearly. Has a place in the best 22 when fit. It may already be too late for him in 2018.
5 TODD MARSHALL
The 19-year-old’s first four games of the season gave a glimpse of his special qualities, particularly his accuracy in front of goal. Injuries and tragedy disrupted his year but he is back on track and ready to make an impact again after a solid return on Thursday night. There doesn’t appear room in Port’s best 22 for both he and Jack Watts.
4 KARL AMON
Has played a role when needed but the pressure is now on for more consistency. The 22-year-old has played just four games in 2018 and has reached a critical point where he must define his game or identify his weapons.
8 OLLIE WINES
The raging bull has arguably hit career-best touch in 2018 despite ongoing speculation on his future at Alberton. Ranks No. 1 at Port for disposals, contested possessions and clearances and is second for tackles while using the ball at an impressive 70 per cent efficiency. There is no one more imposing in a Power jumper. While his impact on the goals has lessened this year, his influence around the ball and in traffic has increased.
6 TOM CLUREY
Has been a consistent and reliable performer without raising his game to any new heights. His game continues to improve as his confidence grows and his coach is not afraid to give him big defensive jobs. Speed and athleticism allow him to match up on a variety of forwards and he has secured his place for a long time.
6 CHAD WINGARD
Responded to criticism with a strong performance in the midfield in the win over Richmond, but his stats do not lie. At 24, he is a star of the game and must be judged by those high standards. He has kicked just 10 goals in his 12 games this season and averages a mediocre 17.7 disposals, well down on his 2015 season. If the Power is to challenge for the flag he must rise to the challenge.
7 JARED POLEC
A glimpse of his 2014 best against Richmond showed just how valuable he is to this team. When he is running and carrying the ball the Power is near-unbeatable. His season has been solid and some of it brilliant but it must be better. Injuries in recent years have hampered his development but he is getting back to where he needs to be. Kicking is his strength and when he is using the ball through the corridor the goal umpires are kept very busy. A key part of the premiership puzzle at Port.
5 CHARLIE DIXON
It’s been a tough year for the big key forward but he must stay strong because the goals will come. Has managed just 11 goals this season after his career-best of 49 last year, having spent time in ruck to cover the loss of Ryder. His beauty has been an ability to stay composed and not fall back into old, bad habits while his physical impact has also been important.
5 JACK WATTS
Much like Dixon, give him time and keep the faith - his best will come soon. Had some good moments and is playing a role but must raise his standards. Uses the ball very well for a key forward and ranks third for goals with 13. As accurate as any but, like several others, he needs to up his numbers to make an even bigger difference.
6 RILEY BONNER
Has played every game in 2018, averaging just under 20 possessions in an exciting start to his career. A penetrating left leg is his weapon but he must resist the temptation to go short too often, as he can turn it over. Had a career-best 31 disposals in round one and has been very consistent and reliable. He’s a keeper.
4 JASPER PITTARD
Has spent significant time on the sidelines with injury and has been made to earn his place back in the 22. A win in his return didn’t hurt and he makes a big difference to this team when at his creative best. Run and carry are his strength and when it works the Power is a very difficult team to beat.
4 AIDYN JOHNSON
Suited up just twice and kicked three goals in 2018 as he struggles to cement his place in the best 22. Has some tricks but faces plenty of pressure for a regular berth behind Wingard, the Grays, Jake Neade and Lindsay Thomas. Still young and has time on his side but needs to make an impression soon.
7 DOUGAL HOWARD
Without doubt one of the Power’s success stories this season. He filled in for the injured Ryder but, on return to his usual spot in defence, has gone from strength to strength. Only Brisbane’s Harris Andrews spoils better and more often. His athleticism, reading of the ball in the air and closing speed are genuine assets and he has quickly become the Power’s No. 2 defender behind Tom Jonas. At 199cm and almost 100kg his future is limitless.
7 DARCY BYRNE-JONES
The small-to-medium defender has cemented his place in the back six with a reliable first 12 games of the season. Can play a disciplined shut-down role or an attacking rebounding role and his dependability has been a huge bonus for the Power. The attacking part of his game has improved and at just 22 he appears to have a long career ahead.
5 JACK HOMBSCH
Has lost his status as an automatic selection as a key defender, and lost his spot when the squeeze came. Howard, Clurey and Jonas are now the frontrunners and he must bide his time. He ranked third at the club for one-percenters but rebound numbers are costing him a regular berth.
7 JUSTIN WESTHOFF
At 31 is showing some of the best and most consistent form of his career, playing all 12 games and averaging 21 disposals while kicking nine goals. He remains the team’s Mr Fixit and is happy rolling into defence, running through the midfield or pinch-hitting in attack. On track for a career-high disposal count.
5 DOM BARRY
Showed glimpses in his five games since returning to the AFL after a three-year hiatus and has some genuine weapons. His speed and skills are good but opportunities are rare with the Power having a near-full list to choose from. A return to AFL ranks soon would not surprise.
9 TOM JONAS
A legitimate All-Australian contender who has redefined his game into near-perfect condition. A defender who can play on the tall, the small and anyone in between. The beauty of Jonas’s game is what you don’t read on the stats sheet — body work, attack on ball and body and sacrifices for his team are what separates him from the rest.
6 DAN HOUSTON
Has played all 12 games in his second season at AFL level and has firmly entrenched himself as a key player in the Power’s best 22. Composed with ball in hand and outstanding by foot, he averages just over 16 disposals while making just 1.5 clangers a game. That’s a kid of genuine quality.
6 SAM GRAY
Has emerged as an unsung hero, bagging a team-high 18 goals with five assists. On target to break all his previous records and at just 26, his best footy is still to come. His goal accuracy and disposal efficiency are two areas to work on.
3 LINDSAY THOMAS
The jury is still out after an inglorious debut, but redemption is still possible. Time isn’t over yet for the 300-plus goalkicker, especially if he continues to contribute as he did in his shock recall on Thursday night.
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