Chris McDermott rates the Port Adelaide Power players after their AFL win over Collingwood
PORT Adelaide was way too good for Collingwood at the MCG, with only poor goalkicking preventing the Power from administering a belting. Here’s how Chris McDermott rated the Port players.
Chris McDermott
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PORT Adelaide was way too good for Collingwood at the MCG, with only poor goalkicking preventing the Power from administering a belting. Here’s how Chris McDermott rated the Port players.
Boak 5: Went head-to-head with Scott Pendlebury early — captain vs. captain — and won plenty of ball in his best start for weeks. Not back to his best but the signs were there of some better days ahead, after he broke from his mediocre past few weeks to play a much bigger role.
Powell-Pepper 6: Brutal tackle on Pendlebury saved the Power a goal and made a big impression on the Pies skipper ... and Powell-Pepper continued to impose himself on this game, sometimes too much ... but he will get the balance right soon. His best all-round game for weeks.
Neade 4: Lively first term including classy goal after an assist from Boak and while he continued to look dangerous, he couldn't get hold of the ball as much as the game wore on.
Ryder 6: Off to a great start in ruck with clean hand to the ball and some possessions in general play, including a couple of centre clearances, to propel the Power forward but tired quickly and allowed Grundy to take control.
R. Gray 8: Took the first mark inside 50m and had the first shot on goal for the Power but missed one he would normally kick blindfolded ... then made up for it moments later with a banana from the pocket for his first. Brilliant goal in second term settled the ship as Collingwood pressed and his fourth minutes later gave the Power momentum back. Oh yes!
Ebert 5: Disposals limited for a rare occasion but impact still there, with tackling a feature in this game early ... but looked tired and failed to fire much in the second half.
Hartlett 8: Risky kick inside the corridor put Ebert under pressure and gifted Collingwood its first goal but much to like about his ball use, kicking and strong attack on the contest in this game after that moment.
Young 4: Getting more attention following his breakout 2016 and finding life in the AFL much more difficult. Kickless to three-quarter time, and no impact on the scoreboard, putting his position in jeopardy. A great collision on Darcy Moore as Collingwood pressed late was a big moment in the game and well done from a quiet player
Trengove 5: Again the man in charge of the grunt work and while numbers were low, he plays a vital role in this team. Finished off strongly when others tired and once again did his bit.
Wines 7: Brilliant tackle on Brodie Grundy early helped the Power to a good start and numbers good again but still suffering some issues with his effectiveness (just 47.8 per cent disposal efficiency) In a tough game that needed grunt, he gave plenty.
Clurey 6: Had his work cut out on Fasolo and could not stop the supply but luckily the damage was minimal early. Made some nice intercepts and provided good rebound but Fasolo was a danger all day.
White 6: Got some ball early to settle the nerves and just missed a goal of the year contender. Run and carry a great feature and much needed for this team and for the future this season. The more he plays the better Port Adelaide will be.
Wingard 5: Took him until halfway through the third term to make an impact with long bomb goal on the run from outside 50m. An interesting game from him but one where he had some great moments ... just not his regular amount.
Dixon 6: Like Robbie Gray missed a sitter early but as usual made a good impact early with his tackles and chases. Took him until the last quarter to kick his first goal but his role in this team cannot be overstated.
Impey 5: Kicked the Power’s first after a gimmee from R. Gray then butchered another sitter as the Power wasted some chances to control the game. Absent for long periods of this game but his explosive pace proved a major weapon and a much-needed talent.
Pittard 7: Strong start on his return, winning some ball and adding some composure to the Power’s defence. An excellent return of 23 disposals at 87 per cent disposal efficiency should ensure he is back for good.
Byrne-Jones 5: Very quiet start but a much better third quarter where he read the ball well in defence and created some run from the back half.
Hombsch 5: Early injury sent him from the ground and returned with knee heavily bandaged but still managed to do a job. Outplayed by Moore early in last term to concede a goal and bring the Pies within five goals but strong game despite the difficulties.
Westhoff 4: Good start but dropped out of it completely after quarter time to end up with just 12 disposals by game’s end.
Jonas 6: Big job on Darcy Moore and as usual did it well, keeping the Pies big man out of the game almost completely. Rotated on and off the key forward and held him well. Once again the rock this defence is built around.
Houston 6: Kicking a standout again and his composure in the back half is a great asset to this team. Not a huge game but made every disposal count and defensive action was outstanding.
Sam Gray 6: Subdued first half but like several of his teammates fired up in the third term as the Power put the game beyond Collingwood’s reach. A 20-possession game is exactly what his team needs from him.
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