Chris McDermott’s Adelaide Crows, Port Adelaide Power player ratings and fast fives
FANS of South Australia’s AFL teams have plenty of reasons to smile today, with the Power continuing their winning ways and the Crows keeping their finals hopes alive. Chris McDermott looks at both games and gives his player ratings.
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FANS of South Australia’s AFL teams have plenty of reasons to smile today, with the Power continuing their winning ways and the Crows keeping their finals hopes alive. Chris McDermott looks at both games and gives his player ratings.
Power fast five
1. As an unashamed fan, what a pleasure it was to see Jack Trengove back on the MCG doing what he does best. An early touch would have settled his nerves and he proved he still has a game that will be of assistance to the Power when it is needed. He may not be in their best 22 but he can be. Polec on one wing and Trengove on the other has a pretty good feel about it.
2. It felt like a breakout moment for youngster Dan Houston. The game he needed as September looms. He was solid in defence as always but added the rebound and penetration with his disposal by foot that has been missing in recent times. He must maintain that attacking part of his game as he has a serious weapon and a game that needs to be at its best for the Power to chase the 2018 premiership. Much to like but still plenty to improve.
3. Another hamstring. Can you believe it? Jasper Pittard the victim again and it may well jeopardise his place in the Power’s 22 for the finals. The game of AFL today has no room for the injured and with the speed of the game and rotations, when one man goes down winning gets much harder. When two go down it’s near impossible.
4. Sign him now. He may be the Power’s elder statesman but get pen on paper as soon as possible. Justin Westhoff is playing some of the best football of his entire career at the ripe old age of 32. He has kept his body in very good condition and is covering the ground as well as he ever has. 19 possessions, 10 contested, 6 marks, 5 rebounds, 2 goals and 1 assist makes for a good afternoon for anyone. The Hoff has 240 games to his name and 300 is not completely out of the question.
5. Todd Marshall or Jack Watts. The debate goes on. Marshall had a tough afternoon against Carlton with just a handful of possessions but two important goals. It would be harsh to drop him but understandable. Watts had the weekend off and watched the Power’s victory from the stands alongside former teammate Max Gawn. Over to you, Ken.
Crows fast five
1. Taylor Walker take a bow. He did what he does best on Saturday night and played with some vintage freedom that served not just him but his team so well. It was refreshing to see the skipper at his best. With the game on the line he took control and said to his team follow me. They did. Walker’s 22 possessions, 10 marks and 3.4 guaranteed the four points were secure and the four-game losing streak was over.
2. Don Pyke took a huge punt and made five changes for this must-win clash. Rory Sloane, Rory Laird and Luke Brown were the big-name inclusions. That number of changes to a line-up traditionally makes winning near impossible but not on this occasion. After a tough week off the field this group united. Who knows, it may well have been the week they needed.
3. Sometimes the scoreboard does not tell the full story. This was one of those games. The Crows dominated the stats sheet with an impressive 66 inside 50s to the West Coast’s dismal 34. They also won stoppages 44-34 and contested possession 163-134. Numbers like that will not result in too many losses. Now to repeat it.
4. Was that a sign of a return to his best from Sam Jacobs. The big man has not looked himself all season but he produced glimpses of it against the best in the caper, Nic Naitanui. The “Big Sauce” had 39 hit outs to Nic Nat’s 34 and the Crows won centre square clearances by four. Two areas the Eagles rank much higher than the Crows in 2018.
5. Now for Richmond. The team to beat in 2018. The team in the best form in the competition after their impressive victory over the Swans. The team that sits alone on the top of the ladder, on their home deck, on Friday night, with the football world watching. The pressure to perform does not get any bigger. It’s the type of game every player relishes. The big stage. A repeat of last year’s grand final. Friday night we get some answers.
Port Adelaide player ratings
Boak
Rare quiet start from the skipper but he was there when it mattered leading his team from the front and kicked the goal that finally put this hard earned victory beyond doubt. 5
Powell-Pepper
Strong start winning several contested possessions early and using it well by hand. Continued to be a dominant force around stoppage all afternoon in another strong performance. 6
Ryder
Started to win some ball around the ground in the second term as he struggles to return to his absolute best. Had a fascinating duel with Phillips all afternoon and probably took the points in a very close contest. 5
Motlop
Flashed in and out without having a great influence in this one but did what he always does and kicked the goal in the last term that broke the struggle and set the Power on course to victory. 5
Ebert
Had his eyes on veteran Marc Murphy from the first bounce and won some good footy in the opening term as he returned to some of his very best football. His hands and use of the ball were a feature in this physical ballet and as good as he has played for some time. 7
Rockliff
Relished the conditions and the rare freedom he is getting in the midfield and gathered a team-high 29 possessions and five clearances as his influence on this group gets bigger and better each game. 7
Marshall
Unsighted in the opening term and finally got his first kick and first goal late in the second term after a smart intercept mark. Took until the last to get his second goal but the signs were there that he is returning to his best. 5
R. Gray
Off to a brilliant start with several possessions and the Power’s first goal of the game then another two in two minutes in the second after a set shot from close range and a bit of razzle dazzle. Kept in very tight check by Blues defender Liam Jones and had to make all of his 13 possessions count. 6
Wines
Made a bad blue in the first term holding onto Cripps and conceding a late goal but crashed and bashed his way through this contest while keeping a close eye on Cripps around the ground. Another good performance without reaching any of his usual great heights. 6
Clurey
Outstanding start on Casboult then switched onto Curnow as the Blues young gun threatened to blow the game apart. His day featured several strong marks and intercepts and he looked as comfortable in his role as any. A very good day. 6
Trengove
Got an early touch in his debut in Power colours and plenty to like about his first hit out. Used the ball well as per usual (81 per cent effective disposal) and covered the ground with ease getting four rebounds from defence and four inside 50s. Did more than enough to maintain his place in this team. 6
Wingard
Continued his good form and looked sharp from the start despite missing and easy goal after a great assist from Sam Gray. Finally got on the board in the second term as the Power took control with three goals in five minutes and produced a bit of trickery to dribble a last-quarter goal and the win. 6
Polec
Couple of nice moments early but missed a shot on goal he would normally nail. Worked as hard as any all afternoon and covered an enormous amount of territory from deep defence to attack. 6
Dixon
One of three Power players to not touch the ball in the first quarter and found life difficult on Sam Rowe and missed a couple of shots he would often kick. Still not getting the best results from his hard work but kicked his only goal late and then gave another away to Marshall in another productive afternoon. 5
Bonner
Quiet for much of the day with some sporadic rebounds from defence and some glimpses of his penetrating disposal by foot. Good effort again in a difficult day for any run and carry. 5
Pittard
Looked good early and appeared to be running freely before he was forced from the ground in the second half with yet another issue with his hamstrings and didn’t return, His future in 2018 is now in serious doubt. 5
Howard
Had the job on the Blues gun forward Charlie Curnow and conceded an early goal and another just before the quarter-time break forcing Hinkley to swap him with Clurey. Not at his usual high standards from previous month but a game to learn from for the young defender. 5
Westhoff
Fantastic opening quarter from the veteran including a nice goal but missing another from straight in front. Got his second just before half time from a free kick as the Power threatened to take complete control. Strong performance all afternoon in a variety of roles in attack and as a loose man in defence. 7
Houston
Much to like about the improvement in his physical presence in the game as his tackling and pressure starts to become an asset for the youngster. Strong game from start to finish where his penetration by foot proved a massive advantage for the Power. 7
S. Gray
Missed an early chance to get on the scoreboard but looked sharp once again without having a huge influence in this one. It was one of those games this man will have in the role he is being asked to play. 4
Thomas
His improvement continued with a great goal from the pocket in the first term and some quality team football. Had a day where he could have kicked three or four but gave Motlop the goal with a classy handball that made the victory a certainty. Another tick. 6
Hombsch
Given the duties on Casboult early and at his defensive best, producing several strong spoils and stuck to his task all afternoon. Led the team in the air with 10 one percenters in a very disciplined, mistake-free game. 5
Adelaide player ratings
Greenwood
Began this game well after a quiet one last week with strong mark and shot on goal to get him into the contest early. Dropped in and out of this contest but he too did his bit late with contested mark and goal to put the Crows in front. 5
Jenkins
Dropped one he would normally swallow in a shaky start for the key forward but made amends soon after with a sensational snap from the pocket to get the Crows’ first goal and made it two before half-time from a set shot from straight in front. Not a bad night but it could have been much better. 5
M. Crouch
Won enough ball at ground level but the opposition had him in close check and much of his possession was messy and less effective than usual. Work rate outstanding and while his efficiency wasn’t at its regular high standard his competitiveness was. 6
Gibbs
Worked his way into this one and produced when he was needed most using the ball by foot with near perfection. His understanding with Jacobs at stoppages is a weapon the Crows need to maximise as finals draw near. 5
Gallucci
Found the ball difficult to get hold of early and not much changed as the game rolled on. Playing a role but needs to get slightly more involved on a regular basis. 4
Kelly
Another typically dour, defensive game where he kept his player under control as his major priority. 5
Sloane
Given some close attention in his return from injury and begun in typical fashion with a nice tackle and smother. Struggled to impact this game as he normally would but assume his presence alone made the Crows 22 walk just that bit taller. 5
Poholke
Good start but dropped out of it quickly and couldn’t get involved to any degree after that. Having a nice moment or two but needs more. 4
Seedsman
The most prolific of any Crows player with nine disposals in the opening term but failed to consistently impact the game after that. Another of the Crows players to drop in and out of this game but great goal in last term made it all worthwhile. 6
Talia
Found himself on Jeremy McGovern for a rare time with the Eagles moving their key defender forward for a rare time. Defensively rock solid as always and in a game the Crows simply had to win the key defender did not disappoint. 7
Walker
Had Eagles gun running defender Elliott Yeo as his minder and missed his first shot on goal when just a little casual on his left foot. Struggled to fully impose himself on this game until it mattered most. He missed his first two shots in the last quarter but nailed his third as momentum swung the Crows’ way, inspired by the captain. 7
Mackay
Another quiet game, interrupted by a rib injury that ended his night early. 4
Hartigan
Not needed early and went without a disposal until the second term. Like all the key defenders he played his role and made sure defence came first and mistakes were few. 5
Brown
Another of the Crows’ back six not to touch the ball in the first quarter and he too adopted the theme of negate first and attack only when risk free. Just the 11 touches but played a key role in holding the Eagles to just 12 goals. 5
Hampton
Just six touches to the main break in an unobtrusive return to the senior team. Competitive as always and did his bit in the last term with sensational set shot from the pocket to put the result beyond doubt. 5
Jacobs
Got the luxury of a soft free kick and 50m penalty to kick the Crows’ second goal and put them in front for the first time in the second quarter. His ruck work in the last term and his understanding with Bryce Gibbs in the centre square was pivotal in this win. Up against one of the best ruckman in the caper, Jacobs produced one of his most influential games of the season. 7
Cheney
Unsighted in the opening term and one of three Crows defenders not to touch the ball in the first 30 minutes but like many of his teammates, rose to the occasion and took a big mark in the last term to do his bit for the team. 5
Douglas
Not the classical Richard Douglas game but hard working and reliable as always. Numbers were good and especially effective at stoppage he played a key role once again. 6
Laird
Took no time finding his best and won plenty of ball early in his return from injury. Left to his own devices for much of the game and used his football intelligence to great effect intercepting forward thrusts time and time again. 32 disposals at 82 per cent effective disposal made for another great night and All-Australian honours are back on track. 7
Milera
Some outstanding moments and some even better discipline and reliability from the young defender. Poise and quality outstanding in this high pressure game. 6
Fogarty
Looked dangerous from the very start and assist to Jenkins gave him the Crows first goal of the afternoon. Just looked dangerous and while again his numbers were low he is ready for a big game. 4
Doedee
Not at his absolute best despite some impressive numbers but strong tackle early in the last term gave him an opportunity to kick his first AFL goal from long range and he did not disappoint. The young man’s got it. 5
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