Bone’s Showdown 44 wash-up, fast five and player ratings
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Showdown 44 and come up with his key points and Port Adelaide and Adelaide player ratings.
Chris McDermott
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ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Showdown 44 and come up with his key points and Port Adelaide and Adelaide player ratings.
Power fast five
1. The Power midfield was mundane and uninspiring early. Two of them could take it no longer. Up stepped Tom Rockliff and young Sam Powell-Pepper to make their biggest personal statements in black, white and teal. Rockliff found his competitive, ball-winning best while Powell-Pepper showed just how good he is going to be. It will be worth the wait.
2. Paddy’s back. It took a week longer than hoped but he’s back to his best and life has returned to normal at Alberton after a tough month or more. The Power won stoppages convincingly but, most importantly, after losing contested ball by 40 against the West Coast they beat the Crows 157-137 just seven days later. Those numbers don’t lie.
3. There’s only one Robbie Gray and despite the desire to play him on the ball, the Power must resist the temptation and keep him close to goal. The same goes for Chad Wingard. The dynamic duo kicked eight goals between them in this game. The day is coming where that number will grow to 10 and it won’t be just the once. It is one of the biggest weapons in the game if not the biggest — a front six featuring Dixon, Watts, Wingard, R. Gray. S. Gray and Motlop will not be beaten. It still leaves Boak, Wines, Ebert, Rockliff, Powell-Pepper and Polec in the midfield. And the problem is?
4. It must be the moment for the Power. The moment every team needs in a season when the penny drops. The ah ha moment they have all been waiting for, from player to coach. The players see what Ken has been telling them all year but importantly the coach gets a message himself. When the structure is right, the results will come. Dixon goes forward, Howard goes back, Powell-Pepper returns and it’s game back on!
5. What happened to the Power’s goal kicking. Pre-season, we heard how good it was, we heard about their new method and the new areas they would convert from. We expected better a much better. Where is it? Bad kicking is bad football still and while 14.11 isn’t bad, it should have easily been 18.7 or better. Work in progress still?
Crows fast five
1. Two players down half way through the second term. It was always going to be difficult for the Crows and it was no surprise to see them almost running on empty at times in this game. The skipper is a major worry. Rory Sloane already was and the question now is, what about Sam Jacobs? It may be time for Reilly O’Brien to be given another chance. The Western Bulldogs are next on Friday night and they are struggling in the big man department but Melbourne and Max Gawn come a week later.
2. Ball movement, especially kicking, was good as you’ll ever see by the Crows in the first half. They made the Power look second rate, but it disintegrated in the second half and as their speed of ball movement slowed, the intercepts and turnovers came and they appeared to run out of answers. Plan A is very good. Plan B is a worry and it must get better. It will be needed come September.
3. The Crows lost the contested numbers convincingly and were smashed in the tackle count again. It is the tale of their 3 losses this season. Hugh Greenwood, Bryce Gibbs, Rory Laird and Cam Ellis-Yolmen are their contested kings this year and the only players to be averaging more than 10/game. It is Matt Crouch they’re missing. His disposals are down a little but his contested numbers are down significantly from 13 to 9. He must get back to what he does best.
4. What did the Crows do in their preseason to give them such a horrific injury count? Hamstrings aside the sheer number of injured players is off the charts and a full investigation must be undertaken immediately. Their previous 2 years were outstanding and none had fewer injuries than the Crows but in 2018 none have more than the Crows. The truth must be found
5. Charlie Cameron would be handy at the moment.
Port Adelaide player ratings
Boak
Couldn’t get into the game and unsighted for most of the first half until benefited from a 50m penalty to kick a much-needed goal. Then, as great captains do, he exploded in the third term to rag his team off the canvas and steer them to victory as only he can. 7
Powell-Pepper
The best of the Power’s midfield early but couldn’t get it to count on the scoreboard. Given the responsibility for Matt Crouch after the long break and turns the game for his team. Goal from outside 50m put the first nail in the Crows’ coffin. He’s been missed. 7
Neade
Unsighted in the opening term but began the second well with a strong tackle but he too missed an absolute sitter. Gave one away later and laid a couple of important tackles that played a big very part in this result. His role was crucial. 6
Ryder
Got the Power off to a perfect start with mark and goal in the opening minute then helped ignite them in the third before towering mark and great goal set them to victory. Injury took its toll on Jacobs and Ryder cashed in big time. 7
Motlop
Couple of shots on goal late in first term but both fell short and while he was competitive throughout the game his beauty was with 25 seconds left on the clock his moment came and he delivered. 6
Ebert
Missed a lolly from one metre out as the Power continued to butcher chances at goal but like all he found another gear and it was his all-round combative game that played a big role in this win. 7
R. Gray
Found it hard work in the first half but pinched a goal just before the siren to keep the Power within reach then got his second just after the break to narrow the margin and give his team hope. Made it three with a walk-in goal, four from a free kick, five from a boundary throw in and six from an Ebert assist to make it five for the quarter and a Showdown hero appeared. 8
Wines
Just couldn’t get out of a lumber and minimal impact when he was desperately needed but broke clear early in the third before he too missed a sitter. It sparked him into a different place and like many with the game on the line, he produced his very best. 6
Polec
Worked hard and ran hard but his ball use was poor choosing to go short far too often Liked his four-quarter effort and his work rate and sacrificial acts were the feature of his game. 6
Wingard
Made an amazing return after less than two weeks out with a hamstring but failed to make any impact on this game early. Came to life in the second and kicked his first goal in the third to give his team hope. Got his second on the three-quarter time siren in the Power’s best quarter of football all season. Signs of the real Chad but an odd sign of a bit of rustiness too. 5
Dixon
Kept in check by Talia for most of this game and had little influence but he never stopped trying, he never stopped competing and others cashed in. That’s why he must play forward most of the time. This team is completely different with the big man inside forward 50. 5
Watts
Another of the Power’s key forwards that just could not get into this game in the first half but he too found his best when it mattered most. Dixon and Watts inside 50 works. The scoreboard didn’t lie. 5
Bonner
Struggled to give any drive early but stayed composed, stayed in the game, stuck to his task and played a key role in the result. A god learning experience for the youngster, 5
Howard
Had the job on Walker and conceded an early goal before shutting him completely out of the game. A game-high 15 one percenters the sign of good maturity and a key defender in the making. 7
Byrne-Jones
Great start with nine disposals early and some good rebound from defence when others around him were struggling. Nice game from this young man and in a difficult month of football for his team, he has been a shining light. 7
Westhoff
OK, but just not enough quality. Unobtrusive but got plenty of ball and played a key role in a variety of positions as is his way. 6
Jonas
Little fumbly unusually early but very solid in defence just not enough rebound but this man just refuses to concede in any way, shape or form and he just kept on presenting, then started intercepting, then gave them some drive and some inspiration and inspired this team to victory. 8
Houston
Got his share of ball but again no risk taking and no drive from defence. Solid but unspectacular but his ball use and composure were pretty good for a youngster. 6
S. Gray
Copped a battering early but lively regardless and missed two sitters he would normally nail. Looked the most likely forward to score and finally goaled with attempt number three early in the second term. Only kicked one goal but there was much to like about his game. 6
Hombsch
Defensively sound but another to not get out of his comfort zone early. Go better the longer the game went and his game was much better that the stats sheet indicated. 5
Rockliff
Yes Tommy Yes. That’s the Tom Rockliff we know and love. The competitive beast is back. 9 disposals in the opening term were some of his best minutes in a Power jumper. 31 disposals b games end plus plenty of contested ball wins, stoppage wins and pressure acts. Its taken time but he has arrived. 7
Clurey
Challenged all night in his duel with McGovern and while he may have lost the battle on points the Power won the war. McGovern threatened all night but Clurey executed 10 important spoils and held the Crows dynamo to just 6 kicks and 2 goals. 6
Adelaide Crows player ratings
Greenwood
Two nice intercept marks early and looked as dangerous as any player on the ground. Flew the flag well in third term when many around him went missing and one of only a few of the Crows mids to be competitive all game. 7
Jenkins
Attacked the ball the way we like early and took a strong mark and goaled to give the Crows the early advantage but it went downhill from that moment on. Limited ball in his area made life tough and had little impact after the opening 30 minutes. 4
M. Crouch
Plenty of ball early until Powell-Pepper came close after the long break and his numbers dropped significantly Work-rate stayed strong but couldn’t won enough ball in the second half to stop the Powers challenge. 7
Gibbs
Minimal impact in the first half and failed to get out of second gear, not that he was needed much as the Crows dominated early. Raised his level in second half but his ball use was not at its best and his value was limited despite some reasonable numbers. 6
Seedsman
Split the pack and nailed a big goal midway through the second term to re-establish the Crows’ four-goal lead and looked likely to win this one off his own boot. But like many in the Crows 22, his impact diminished in the second half and was almost unsighted. 6
Talia
Had the big job on Charlie Dixon and did it to perfection all evening long. Couldn’t impact the game offensively but if his priority was to take Dixon out of the game, he did it faultlessly. 8
Walker
Brilliant goal after strong “don’t argue” to give the Crows an early mini-break but headed to the sidelines shortly after and remained there for some time. Couldn’t influence the game at all on his return and his fitness and immediate future must be of some concern. 4
Mackay
Very quiet first half and not much changed after the break. Had a chance to redeem himself and kick a goal to keep the Crows close but he missed. His first poor game for some time but it was a poor one. 4
Brown
Rock solid in defence early and saved a couple of certain goals then goal-saving tackle on Travis Boak as good as you’ll see but like most in Crows colours it got tough after the long break and he was powerless to stop the goal rush. 6
Betts
Hardly touched it early and took until late in the third to kick his first. Sensational goal early in the last gave the Crows hope and reduced the margin to just two goals. Kicked three in a pretty solid outing but still has another level to take his game. 6
Atkins
Matched Ryder’s early goal with one of his own in a fierce opening to Showdown 44. Without doubt the Crows’ best four-quarter performer as his status in this team continues to grow. 8
Jacobs
Good start but sent to the sidelines with injury and despite returning to action he struggled through the second half and could not match Ryder’s dominance in any area. 5
Douglas
Another to continue his good form and looked sharp albeit his ball use was below his normal level until the halftime break and he dropped out of this game completely like the majority of his team mates but especially the on-ballers. 5
Lynch
Work rate as good as any and covered an enormous amount of ground for his ball. Solid 4 quarter display but he was kept well away from goal and found it difficult to impact the scoreboard in his usual manner. 5
Ellis-Yolmen
Moved well and good influence in tight and on the outside gathering 12 disposals and kicking one goal in the first half. Worked hard and stayed involved in the game as momentum changed but couldn’t get hold of the ball with any regularity. 6
Laird
Quite amazingly ran around without an opponent in the first term, gathering 12 possessions and driving the Crows forward at will. Had duties on Chad Wingard after the first term and defence took priority over offence Intercepts were good but rebounding became very difficult. 7
Doedee
Very defensively minded in the opening half and nothing changed in the second. Unspectacular game in a difficult night for the Crows defence. 5
McGovern
Looked dangerous as usual and his good form continued. Had a close checking and very defensive Tom Clurey as his minder making life difficult but still looked dangerous all game. 5
Otten
Solid out of defence, his hands and his leg speed looked good. Mopped up well but couldn’t halt he flood of goals when his team needed him the most. 5
Gallucci
Minimal influence in this one but that is not unusual for youngsters in their early tastes of Showdowns. 4
Kelly
Spent much of the first half on Robbie Gray and kept him in check conceding just the one goal but the dam burst in the third and he was powerless to stop the rampaging forward. 5
Poholke
Like most of the Crows youngsters, he found this game a shock to the system but a great experience for all of them and a new level to aspire to. 4
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History suggests strongly that if you miss out on a premiership at your first try as a coach, you should not get another chance — unless you’re Mick Malthouse or Malcolm Blight, writes Chris McDermott.
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It was the game that stopped a state — the first Showdown between the Crows and Power on April 20, 1997. Chris McDermott shares his memories for Part 1 of The Greatest Showdowns series.