Bone’s takeaways: Five points from Adelaide Crows, Port Power games and player ratings from Round 1
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s Round 1 games and offered his key points and player ratings.
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ADVERTISER AFL expert has run his eyes over Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s Round 1 games and offered his key points and player ratings.
Port v Fremantle
1. What an opening half for the Power. New forward Jack Watts kicks their first goal, Stevie Motlop with pace gets their second, back to his forward role Chad Wingard snaps their third, skipper Travis Boak nails their fourth and Tom Rockliff adds his first for the Power in the second term. Could we ever doubt they got this right?
2. No need to “holler for a Marshall” — the Power have theirs. We saw glimpses of him last year but he never looked ready. What a difference a summer in the gym makes. His biceps have grown and he looked a 50-game player on Saturday afternoon. Calm and composed and strong in the hands another option in attack for the Power has been found.
3. Dom Barry cannot be ignored in this discussion. His impact on this game was outstanding in an unobtrusive way. Played a low-key, but highly disciplined role that cannot be ignored. There is plenty of razzle dazzle at the Power but some old-fashioned grunt and hard-nosed discipline still has its place and Barry has it in spades.
4. Paddy Ryder’s bad week just got slightly worse — playing only half the match after an Achilles injury. They are not good for anyone, let alone ruckmen, and it will be a nervous wait for all at Alberton. If the Power are thin in any department it is in the ruck.
5. The Power have spoken about tweaks to their game in 2018 and one that is obvious is the deliberate and patient use of the ball into their 50m attacking zone. They averaged 12 marks inside 50m in 2017, they took 18 against Fremantle. With the likes of Dixon and now Watts and Marshall roaming around up there it is no surprise.
Dougal Howard’s record-breaking 22 spoils must also get an honourable mention.
Crows v Essendon
1. Oh yeah, Darcy Fogarty. It was just one attack at the ball, but it was his first in AFL football. The kid looked good. He marked strongly and goaled from outside 50m. The young man is going to make a few defenders very nervous for the next 10 years or so. Roo, your famous number 32 jumper is in very good hands.
2. Then there was Tom Doedee. What composure from this young man. A tough first quarter but a courageous act trying to mark showed just what this kid is made of. He will be around for a very long time. He rebounded well in the 2nd term and a very handy, long term player has been born.
3. Bryce Gibbs was sloppy early despite some good numbers (18 disposals to halftime) but he exploded in the third term with two goals in the first three minutes. The longer this game went the better this man got and he proved beyond any doubt his value to this team.
4. The scoreboard flattered the Crows. The stats sheet showed the true story. Essendon had 60 inside 50s — that is way too many for the Crows to expect to win. They took 19 marks inside 50 to the Crows’ 10. The Crows laid just 50 tackles and that is way too few and they were smashed at contested possession 156-142. You can’t win with those numbers.
5. Richard Douglas’s collision with Zach Merrett was understandable, it was not vicious and it was almost within the rules, but not quite. Agree or disagree with the finding, the bump is dead and Douglas made the wrong decision. Just go for the ball and you’ll be fine. It is that easy.
Power player ratings
Boak: A magnificent captain’s game from start to finish, with the ball in his hands and even when it was not. This man set the standard and the others, to a man, followed. Found his niche as a high half forward and looks well prepared for another great season. 7
Powell-Pepper: The look is a little different but the game and the impact is still the same and a good start to 2018 for the young midfielder. Kicked four points in what could have been an even bigger game had he kicked a little straighter. 5
Ryder: After a challenging week off the field, Patty was back to his very best early in this one but injury to Achilles ended his night and might prove to be a problem for both him and the Power for some time. 5
Motlop: Oh yes Stevie. Class, pace and goal sense to burn and that was just his first quarter. It got even better after that and the look on his face after he kicked his goal of the year contender said it all. Stevie Motlop has arrived and enjoy the ride, it’s going to be a beauty! 6.
Ebert: Had the role on Nat Fyfe for much of this contest and did it magnificently well, especially early restricting the Dockers’ skippers influence significantly while still gathering 28 disposals himself. 7
Hartlett: Outstanding game from defence, intercepting at will and rebounding the ball with his penetrating disposal by foot. His ability to spoil much taller opponents was another feature of his well-rounded performance. 7
Rockliff: Thequiet one of the Power’s recruits but made his touches count even though he did not get the amount of ball he would have liked. Looks a week or two short of where he would like to be, so be patient with this man it will be worth it. 5
Marshall: Has just set the bar at a new height and looks a young man that has greatly benefited from a strong preseason in the gym. Body more ready now for AFL demands and his work in the air and below his knees was proof the Power have themselves another very good player. 7
Wines: A typical hard-edged game from the midfielder, nice at stoppage and very good in traffic and while his effective disposal percentage at just 64 per cent is still too low, in a congested game he did look a little cleaner. 7
Clurey: Not his best but you’ll take it as his base level when he provides the rebound he can from deep in defence. Will only get better. 5
Wingard: Yes. Yes. Yes. Good number of disposals considering most of his time was spent in the front half of the ground and that is exactly the type of game Ken Hinkley is looking for from his star. Unselfish but damaging around goals, he kicked two gave away another two and could have had a few more on another day. Yes. Yes. Yes. 6
Polec: For a bloke that looked injured and ready to leave the ground at any minute, Polec produced a career-shaping game where he battled the odds to be a major contributor. It felt like a big personal win and great for his standing in this team. Well coached, Ken. 6
Dixon: Imagine a full forward being one of your better players when he only kicks a single goal when the team kicks 16. Charlie Dixon did and was. He did spend some time in ruck after the injury to Ryder but is contest was there, his recovery was there and his hunger was there too. The goals will come. 6
Watts: Missed his first shot but made the most of his second and didn’t miss a beat in his debut for the Power. I am a fan so I will declare my hand but so much to like about his movement and the way he slotted into the Power’s forward line. On another day he kicks six. 6
Bonner: Scintillating start to this game with 13 disposals from defence in a high quality performance from a kid in his fifth game. Like his pace, his decision making and his second efforts. The challenges for him will come soon but the beginning of this chapter was outstanding. 7
Howard: He looked to be struggling at times but at others he had the game and his opponent well and truly covered. His record-breaking stat said it all, 22 spoils and I’m sure they missed one or two. It is money can’t buy. The Power have a shutdown tall defender in their midst and a major problem has been fixed. 7
Byrne-Jones: He almost snuck under the radar in this one given his new look but his numbers tell the story of how good his game was. No-one will doubt his defensive qualities but on this occasion he added 28 disposals, 10 clearances and a team-high 15 contested possessions to his tally. 7
Westhoff: 10 touches in an outstanding opening quarter, roaming the ground at will set this man on track for a very big night. His duties changed with the injury to Ryder but his impact did not. Marking in defence was once again a highlight as too was his ability to nullify the contest and help his defenders in the air. 8
Jonas: Workman-like performance in a very disciplined, team-oriented game from the reliable defender. Like his other defenders, his use of the ball was excellent. 5
Barry: Didn’t get the headlines like several of his new team mates but must get the credit for a brilliant start to his career with the Power. Thought he was disciplined, hardworking and a very important piece of the puzzle. 6
Houston: The 18-game, 20 year old defender plays like a 30 year old, such is his composure and confidence in defence. Another very inconspicuous but solid game featuring 17 disposals at an imposing 94 per cent efficiency. Penetrating kick much like Hamish Hartlett’s will become a serious weapon in time. 5
S. Gray: One of those typical games from the small forward, sometimes they pay off well and other times they do not look as good, but he played his role as he always does. It was just a day for others to shine. 5
Crows player ratings
M. Crouch: Began the 2018 season the same way he played the entire 2017 season, with the ball on a string and used it at an impressive 80 per cent efficiency but he must change up his variety of disposal to become more damaging and avoid becoming too predictable. 7
Greenwood: Used minimally by Don Pyke and while he had a couple of very nice moments including a classy goal he is at the stage of his career where he needs to do more and be used more. 5
Jenkins: Looked out of sorts early before mark and goal late in the opening term, then proved to be the Crows’ best avenue to goal and began to look better. Not convinced the experiment of him in ruck should continue and needs to be defined as a 50-goal forward only. 5
Gibbs: Quiet start by the star recruit but did not take too long for him to find his best and produce some quality football. 3rd quarter with 2 goals was a sign of things to come. Finding where he is best suited in this team is also work in progress. 7
Kelly: Unobtrusive start to the 2018 season, some good and some no so in the season opener. Sheer weight of ball inside the Crows defensive 50m made his job increasingly more difficult. 5
Sloane: Much like several of his team mates it was a mixed night for the stand-in skipper. Lead from the front as he always does but not the influence as we have become accustomed to. 5
Seedsman: Plenty of ball early and looked in good physical shape but just failed to cash in. Good balance of offence and defence but probably just failed to get the most out of his disposals. 6
Talia: Brilliant start with some strong marks and sound defence on Joe Daniher but gave away soft free early in the second quarter to give the Bombers key forward his first. Won the duel on points but did get a little lucky with Daniher’s poor use of the ball by foot. 6
Mackay: Good start to the season for the veteran midfielder with some good run and carry and use of the ball. 545 metres gained is hopefully a sign of even better things to come and 90 per cent efficiency was another big plus. 6
Hartigan: Had his hands full, like all the Crows tall defenders, with the Bombers’ tall timber in attack. Hooker proved to be the most dangerous. Beaten fair and square on several occasions and just looked to be a step or two off the pace in this one. 5
Brown: Another to look a fraction off his very best and in the game today that’s enough to have your colours lowered. The common theme here is, like many of his team mates he needed the hitout and will be better for it. 5
Hampton: Looked the best he has in his time at the Crows and strong opening including early goal would have given coach Don Pyke some hope for the future until injury struck once again. Looked to be a hamstring of some significance and for this man his 2018 season is now in genuine jeopardy. 5
Betts: Not quite Eddie at his best and while he tried to play every trick in his book, none of them came off in the manner we have become accustomed. Saad did a good job restricting him and holing him to a rare goalless game. 4
Atkins: Looked dangerous on occasions but his radar was off slightly and he failed to cash in on every opportunity he had. 14 disposals is no longer a pass mark from a player with over 50 games under his belt. He must do more. 5
Jacobs: Battled hard as he always does and did give his midfield a decent look at the footy from stoppages but failed to do enough around the ground to impose himself on this game. 5
Douglas: Collision with Zach Merrett that forced the Bomber midfielder from the ground in the first quarter and ultimately has cost Douglas a game this week against Richmond. Thought he looked sharp but alo thought he became distracted after the incident and appeared to lose focus from then on. 5
Ellis-Yolmen: Nice return to the team for the midfielder and liked where he got the majority of his ball in this game. Needs to get a little more urgency and speed in his game but should be happy with his overall game. 5
Laird: One season ends and another begins and this man continued where he left off in 2017. Outstanding first quarter with some solid rebound from defence and the most consistent performance of all players on the park for the Crows. 40 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency -what more can you ask of a player? 8
Fogarty: Strong start with solid lead, mark and long 50m goal. This kid looked the goods from the first bounce. Not a huge night in stats but more than enough to show he will have plenty to offer in his debut season. Did run out of puff late and will need to be carefully managed in 2018. 5
Doedee: Did not disappoint any with his start and early show of courage running back with the flight to almost take a mark of the year contender. Had a mixed bag early but second term was outstanding and looked more comfortable at the level. 6
McGovern: Lively and strong-marking opening but did get taken well out from goal and that reduced his impact on this game. The Crows’ tall forwards didn’t appear to get this one right and Taylor Walker’s presence was missed. Nine disposals not enough from this man anymore and some balance in attack must be found. 4
Murphy: Looked a little overawed by the occasion in his debut which is understandable considering the meteoric rise this young man has had. Poached himself a goal which was a great reward for the youngster but like several others he needs to be carefully managed. 4