Bone’s takeaways: Five points from Adelaide Crows, Port Power games and player ratings from Round 2
ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s Round 2 games and offered his five key points and player ratings, announcing the arrival of a new star forward.
Chris McDermott
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ADVERTISER AFL expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s Round 2 games and offered his key points and player ratings.
PORT ADELAIDE
1. Remember the moment. April Fools’ Day 2018. The Power were nobody’s fool. They took on the Swans at the SCG on the back of that team’s big win over West Coast and eight goals from Lance “Buddy” Franklin. They weathered the storm and came home on top with Dougal Howard holding Buddy to four goals. The signs of a serious contender are obvious.
2. It is the sign of a very good team that can find another gear midway through a game. The Power did just that after going to the long break 14 points down.
Their third quarter was unbelievable, led by Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff in ruck along with Travis Boak and Chad Wingard in attack. A clearance problem became a strength and 20 Inside 50s in the third quarter was the result. The game changed and the Power went to the final quarter 15 points up. Wow!
3. The Power’s defence has been a strength for some time with Hombsch, Trengove and Broadbent leading the way. The names have changed but this new defence might prove to be even better. Howard, Bonner, Houston and Byrne-Jones are hardly household names just yet but they are threatening to build a back six better than any before it at Port.
4. Seven tackles in the forward 50 in the third term and seven goals. They all didn’t result in a direct impact on the scoreboard but the pressure was undeniable, the mindset unbelievable and the impact on the result indisputable.
5. When you’re wrong you best admit it. I was wrong in my early assessment of Todd Marshall. This young man can play. It is always difficult in the early years for a tall forward especially when you could do with a good feed or two. Such was Todd Marshall in 2017 but the 2018 version is a beauty. The body has filled out a fraction but so has the brain and the football intel. Four goals last week another three this week. A player has arrived.
ADELAIDE CROWS
1. What a difference a week makes. He looked out of sorts last week despite his two goals but Josh Jenkins had it on a string against the game’s best defender in Alex Rance. Jenkins’ reply was great stuff. Mature stuff and the response of a genuine footballer. Two goals and two points in the opening quarter, a contested mark and a left foot snap showed everyone what he is capable of. It must be the benchmark for him, not the high point of his season.
2. Crows fans will be looking for slight tweaks to the Crows game style, and even to Don Pyke’s coaching methods, to improve them from the 2017 model. It’s only a very small sample to date but both games have been played in near-perfect conditions. The Crows contested numbers are averaging 167 a game, up from 154 a game last year. Their tackle numbers are down significantly from 71 a game to just 49 a game. Better to win it first rather than win it back.
3. After a week of intense scrutiny only overshadowed by the crisis with the Australian Test cricket team, what a response it was from the Crows. They were well coached and well led and their enjoyment was there for all to see as the final siren sounded. But it is said there is a semblance of truth in almost every statement — criticism must not be dismissed before it is discussed and thrashed out behind closed doors.
4. Contested possession and contested beasts. Both are important in the game today. The Crows won the contested possession numbers 192-144. That’s plus 48. It was a blitz but not at the hands of the usual suspects. Hugh Greenwood had 19 and Cam Ellis-Yolmen 13, Bryce Gibbs a game-high 20 and youngster Tom Doedee 14. 4 relatively new faces to the team and what a difference it makes.
5. Injuries continue for the Crows and there was a slight downside to this performance. Matt Crouch, Rory Sloane, David Mackay and Daniel Talia will all be sore and in some doubt for this weekend’s game against St Kilda. The trio join Brad Crouch, Brodie Smith, Riley Knight, Tom Lynch, Curtly Hampton, Sam Gibson and Alex Keath on an injury list that has already superseded the past two years. Watch closely.
PORT ADELAIDE PLAYER RATINGS
Boak: The skipper is absolutely thriving in his role as a high forward after his different build up to the season. Turned the game almost singlehandedly in the third term when his team needed a spark and he provided it. He leads and this team follows. 7
Powell-Pepper: Not as flashy or as productive as we have become accustomed to but a very hard-working, team-oriented game in conditions that demanded he play an important physical role. Nine tackles a clear indication he did exactly that. 5
Motlop: Missed a sitter early but provided an important avenue to goal for much of the day. Only managed one himself but played his role and had to be closely watched by the Swans’ defence. 5
Ebert: Had a close checking role on Josh Kennedy for much of this clash and while Kennedy was productive and competitive as always his effectiveness was reduced to just 54 per cent efficiency and a key avenue to goal was disrupted by Ebert’s hard work. 5
R. Gray: Slow start in his first game back after suspension and never quite reached the peak of his powers at any stage but worked hard regardless of the impact he was making and provided great competition and strong tackling when needed. 6
Rockliff: Found his second game in Power colours almost tougher than his first and possessions proved very hard to come by, but that said his presence and leadership is obvious and his impact on games will come. 4
Hartlett: Game number 150 was not the ball-winning, rebounding game we have become accustomed to from this man but it was a dour close-checking defensive role that the game demanded and this man provided. 6
Marshall: If his first game of the season was good this one was even better despite kicking three goals to last week’s four. This was against Sydney on the SCG, one of the toughest grounds for forwards to play on, especially young forwards. 6
Wines: Sensational snap goal at start of the second term got his game underway and the Power’s in gear after a very sluggish start. It was Ollie Wines at his competitive best. 35 disposals, 19 contested, 12 clearances, 6 tackles and a goal. Port Adelaide, three votes O. Wines. 9
Clurey: Hardly sighted early before switching onto Franklin and sharing the role after the long break. A strong defensive game that was greatly needed in this type of contest. 5
Wingard: Unsighted until freak goal just before the long break then turned it on in the third term to help swing the game in the Power’s favour. Closely checked by the tight and disciplined Swans defence but looked dangerous and his two goals were priceless. 6
Polec: Solid start but dropped out of it in the second term before cranking it up again in the second half and kicking a long goal from 50m to seal the Power’s victory. Seven rebounds from defensive 50 and six inside 50s was a great indication of the unseen hard work from this man. 7
Dixon: Battled hard in ruck in the absence of Patty Ryder but could not impose himself enough early before a half time chat inspired him to greatness in the third term especially. Finished the game with 17 disposals and 32 hit outs as the Power turned a 10-stoppage win deficit into nearly break even by game’s end. 7
Watts: Unsighted in the first half but there were limited opportunities in the Power’s attacking half of the ground with only 14 inside 50s in the first half. Worked hard against some tough defence and that’s all the Power can ask. 4
Bonner: The Rising Star nominee from round 1 began a little slowly in comparison to the week before but finished in a blaze of glory with a long goal late in the game. 18 disposals including four rebounds and four inside 50s in another solid, well-rounded game. 6
Howard: Lined up alongside the in-form Franklin and had his worries early with Franklin marking strongly but kicking only the one goal to quarter time. But to this young man’s credit he battled on regardless, never dropped his head and held his own against one of the very best. A big occasion that he handled with great maturity with another 15 one per centers. 5
Byrne-Jones: He is building into one of the game’s best competitive beasts for someone so young. Just runs straight at the ball and body and fears no-one. Hands are good and his decision making for a youngster is outstanding. Another key performance and significant moment from this lad. 7
Westhoff: Followed up his strong effort in round one with another polished performance in much more difficult circumstances. Much to admire about his work ethic and competitiveness and provided a great option for his team all day. 7
Jonas: Resolute in defence as always and never missed his calling when his team needed him. Use of the ball at 78 per cent efficiency a great calming influence in a ferocious game. 6
Barry: Didn’t look as sharp or as explosive as he did last week but this was a completely different game. Played an important role again and his seven tackles were crucial. 5
Houston: Yes young man, yes. Outstanding use of the ball by foot once again and handled the rise in standard with ease. Very mature and reliable effort. 7
S. Gray: Still a little off his best but again played an important role in this game. Disposal efficiency must improve just a fraction, if he is not getting the amount of ball he would like. 5
ADELAIDE CROWS PLAYER RATINGS
Greenwood: Quiet last week but at his career best against Richmond with a very well rounded game and a quality goal in the third term. Spent good minutes on an “off the leash” Dustin Martin and made him look human. Contested ball numbers brilliant but it was his clean hands and quick decision making that impressed the most. 7
Jenkins: Got his night off to the near-perfect start with contested mark a free kick but just one goal and two poor misses against Rance then snapped one of his left foot to make it 2.2 in the opening quarter. His third came courtesy of another free from Rance and to end up with five against the best defender in the game was a career best. 7
M. Crouch: Injured midway through second term when he was again at his best and it looked to be a hamstring strain which is never good. Complete recovery is now a must to avoid this injury becoming a long-term problem. 5
Gibbs: Strong start with nice early goal from long range after a nice handball from Eddie Betts. Very consistent performance over the entire game highlighted by a game-high 20 contested possessions. 7
Kelly: Unobtrusive as always but continues to do the job asked of him and more. 28 possessions including 10 intercepts in the back half indicates a quality performance in many ways. 7
Sloane: Looked gone for the night with injury but returned midway through the second term to kick a sensational goal and inspire his team. Vintage Sloane performance from that moment on, including big goal from the boundary in the last term to guarantee the four points. 7
Seedsman: Unsighted in opening quarter and very fumbly for most of the night but like most of his teammates found a way to stay in the game and make a good contribution by the final siren. Not at his best but is a good place to start. 5
Talia: Strong start with two strong marks in defence. Injured early in the third quarter but as is his way he got himself back on the ground. And while never looking 100 per cent fit like Sloane, he did his job and played a decent role in the win. 5
Walker: Rusty start where controlling the ball was a problem for the skipper until nice one-handed mark and goal late in the second term followed by left foot snap minutes later. Never looked completely comfortable but long bomb goal in last term settled the ship as the Tigers pressed. Four goals on his return was a job well done. 6
Brown: Typical game from the small defender and was always going to have his hand full trying to restrict the Tigers mosquito fleet in attack. Did his job well and none of the Tigers smalls had a big influence. 6
Betts: Another game where he was close but not quite up to his brilliant best. Unselfish as always and gave four goals away but went goalless himself for the second week in a row in an absolute rarity. 5
Mackay: Slow start with just the one disposal in the first term after a solid game last week. Head-high hit in third term sent him to the deck and finished his night and looks in some doubt to front in just over a week’s time. 4
Hartigan: Toe to toe with Jack Reiwoldt and handled him to perfection, frustrating the Tigers key forward and holding him goalless while still managing a 20-possession game himself. 6
Atkins: Out of sorts and out of the action for much of this game. Won the odd possession but had a game where his impact was all but non-existent. 4
Jacobs: By far the dominant big man on the ground in a very impressive display that contributed greatly to the Crows success. Led the way at stoppage getting a clear hand to the ball on many occasions giving his mids a dream run. 7
Ellis-Yolmen: Impressive again BUT poor handball early in the last quarter cost the Crows a goal. It was a rare blemish on one of the best nights of his short and injury-interrupted career. Marking a feature and contested numbers in partnership with Hugh Greenwood added a new string to the Crows’ bow. 6
Milera: Had a couple of sensational moments where he one grabbed the ball at pace and delivered with class. It was another step up in his short career and a reason for all to be optimistic about what this young man has to offer. 5
Laird: Had the same string and the same ball on it as last week in a sensational start to this game, an outstanding middle and a brilliant end. It was a faultless 42-possession game at an impressive 74 per cent efficiency. 9
Fogarty: Week one, first mark and first kick gave him his first goal. Week two, first mark and first kick gave him his first goal of the night. Yes he can play and boy can he kick. All class young man. Another big step forward. 5
Doedee: Good start to the young man in just his second AFL game and starting to look every bit the player at this level. Courage can never be questioned but now it’s his decision making on when to use his courage and when to hold a fraction but we are splitting hairs and this kid is the new Rodney Maynard! 7
McGovern: Not enough considering how much ball the Crows had in attack but it was a busy space and with Walker and Jenkins on song, getting a kick in attack wasn’t easy. Question remains, can all four talls fit? 4
Murphy: Two nice goals in the second quarter to again prove the level is not beyond him. Had some nice minutes and a couple not so nice but another good role-playing game from the youngster. 5
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