Chris McDermott’s Adelaide Crows, Port Adelaide Power Round 4 player ratings
BOTH South Australian teams received rude wake-up calls in round four of the AFL season. Our expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over the games and come up with his key points and player rankings.
Chris McDermott
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BOTH South Australian teams received rude wake-up calls in round four of the AFL season. Our expert Chris McDermott has run his eyes over the games and come up with his key points and player rankings.
Port Adelaide fast five
1. There were problems all over the ground at the start of this game but the obvious one was in ruck and it cost the Power dearly. Dougal Howard was given first crack, Justin Westhoff was next but the Bombers smashed the Power in this department early winning clearances 14-7 and leading by 18 points. Damage done.
2. Robbie Gray, what were you thinking? Five goals down just before half time, the Power needed a goal, Gray marks well with courage 35m out on a 45 degree angle. It was bread and butter for him. Not so! He handballs to Polec who misses. I say again, Robbie what were you thinking?
3. The Power young guns are on notice. Senior players have a role but just as importantly so do junior players, to provide the spark, the energy and the enthusiasm for their team. Mistakes will happen but do what your team needs you to do. They couldn’t and didn’t in this game.
4. That was not a four-goal loss, it was more like a 10 goal annihilation. The scoreboard flattered the Power and there are no positives to be taken out of this one. The ship is shaken, it must be immediately corrected against Geelong next week.
5. It has been a weekend of RED FLAGS from some of the AFL Premiership contenders. None more so than from Port Adelaide. It was apparent last week against Brisbane, it is bleeding obvious now after that loss to Essendon. It’s time for the mirror to come out at Alberton and for all players to take a good hard look in it. Suddenly they may not like what they see.
Adelaide Crows fast five
1. It hasn’t rained much in Adelaide this year so it wasn’t surprising to see the Crows struggle once the heavens opened. But it’s only rain and the ball gets a little slippery — the rules don’t change. Work rate is still a key area and the Crows — for a rare moment — got smashed for work rate. A RED FLAG has been raised.
2. Contested possessions are a must in wet-weather football. The Crows were let down badly in this area all night. They were down by 18 contested possessions in the second term and trailed by 25 points and Collingwood blew out its lead to 21 contested possessions and 33 points at the long break. Hugh Greenwood had 12 but nine others Crows players had just 12 between them. The Crows trailed by 35 at the final siren. Enough said.
3. Errors were made at the selection table for this game. The Crows were too top heavy. It may have been their best team possible but it wasn’t their best team for this game. Darcy Fogarty should not have played in these conditions. Injuries have not helped this process but picking injured players and players not suited to the conditions is fraught with danger.
4. Rory Sloane was tagged by Steele Sidebottom and it proved a massive win for the Pies. The Crows refused to change it up. Sloane didn’t go to the wing. He didn’t go to the goal square. He just played it straight and paid a price. That said, he is clearly not fit and must not be risked again until he is.
5. Its not a pandemic, it’s a “ham-demic”. What is it with hamstrings this year? It’s not just at the Crows, it’s across the competition but the Crows are suffering as badly as anyone. Eddie Betts is the latest victim, following quickly in the footsteps of Matt Crouch. It can no longer be considered a coincidence. Find the cause now or risk an entire season.
Port Adelaide player ratings
Boak
Another quiet start by the skipper as his team simply struggled to get their hands on the ball. Battled hard without having a major influence until a snapped goal just before three-quarter time narrowed the gap to under four goals. Nowhere near his best. 5
Motlop
Like many of his team-mates, he began slowly with just three disposals and no influence in the first term. Much the same for the entire game where he just lacked his normal spark. 4
Ebert
Another of the Power’s key men that found it difficult to get his hands on the ball. Just two kicks to half time is just not enough from such an influential player. Defensively sound but he is much better than that. 5
Hartlett
Liked his start but seemed to lose his way. Five tackles in the first half were great defensive work but little offence to speak of. Dropped right out of it after the long break and he too must be better. 5
R. Gray
Tried to inspire his team with a strong opening quarter while many around him struggled. Battled hard and work rate as good as any and while he won plenty of the ball (39 disposals), far too much of it was by hand and amounted to little. 7
Rockliff
Slow start yet again with some poor use of the ball with the little he had, just six disposals at 50 per cent efficiency to the main break. Added just another two disposals in the second half and just appears to lack a role at this stage. 4
Marshall
Looked the most dangerous of all Power forwards in the first term with two shots on goal and their much-needed first major. Sent to the sidelines with a head knock in the third term and did not reappear. 4
Wines
Strong at it again and exceptional at stoppages but needed some help and none came. Battled hard and was good without being great. 6
Clurey
Had the job on James Stewart and conceded an early mark and goal and looked in trouble with Stewart kicking his third early in the second term. Outmuscled in this duel and had his colours lowered for a rare time. 4
Wingard
Looked dangerous early without making enough of his disposals count and dropped out of it just as quickly before a whack in the nose sent him to the sidelines. Like most of his team he was a mile off his best. 4
Polec
Continued his good form to start the year with 11 kicks to the long break but his impact on this game wasn’t as great as usual. Ended up with 28 possessions at a very good 75 per cent efficiency but his game wasn’t that great. 6
Dixon
Struggled to make an impact in attack until big mark late in the second term but his kick on goal was astray. Nothing wrong with his work rate but his influence wasn’t as it needs to be and must return to the goal front full time. 5
Watts
Unsighted for much of the first quarter before mark and goal just before the break after some nice service from Robbie Gray. Better as the game wore on and the Power’s only multiple goal scorer, but his three should have been five. 5
Bonner
Had his angry head on but not enough from him in the first half when his team desperately needed his run and penetration. Didn’t look anywhere near the player he has been in previous weeks. 5
Howard
Started in ruck but struggled and quickly replaced by Westhoff. Thrown back in but soon after just looked out of his comfort zone and not much better when he returned to defence. Not ready for multiple roles and must be re-established in defence. 4
S. Gray
Ineffective until just before the long break when he pounced on a loose ball to kick the Power’s much-needed fourth goal and narrow the margin to 22 points. Not the effort we have become accustomed to seeing. 4
Byrne-Jones
Unsighted early with just the one touch to half-time then thrown forward and kicked a goal early in the last term to edge the Power within reach of victory. It wasn’t to be and his loss of form is a concern. 4
Westhoff
Played a variety of roles as usual and gave the Power some decent drive early before an opportunist goal late in the third term from a boundary thrown in gave the Power some faint hope of victory. One of not many that had some impact on this game. 5
Jonas
Brilliant in defence from the very start on Joe Daniher as the Bombers attacked at will. Sheer weight of ball appeared to wear him down eventually and Daniher ended up with two and the honours were shared. 6
Dan Houston
Another of the Power’s young guns largely unsighted in the first half of this game. Won some ball late in the game that made his game look better than it was. 4
McKenzie
Plenty to like about his early attacks on the footy but tired very quickly to concede a couple of goals and looked to struggle for leg speed on the quick Etihad Stadium surface. 4
Amon
OK early but like many of his team-mates went missing for large periods of the first half. Leg speed and run and carry is his strength and there was unfortunately none of that. 4
Adelaide Crows player ratings
Gibbs
Unsighted early but to his credit he found a way to work himself into this contest and make an impact. Not at his best in conditions that didn’t suit but ended up with 27 possessions at 78 per cent efficiency in a serviceable night. 6
Greenwood
Work rate, contested ball and competitive spirit were great and he was one of only a few to show the right stuff, it was just his execution that let him down in this game. One of only a handful that could walk off the ground in no doubt he had given his all. 6
Jenkins
Unsighted in first term and it didn’t get much better as the night progressed. Had a couple of OK moments in ruck but once again he must learn how to impact a game when he can’t get on the scoreboard and things aren’t going as planned. 4
Kelly
Like most of the Crows defence, he just couldn’t influence this contest at all. Ball came in to easily and lack o pressure further up the ground made matters worse for him and the entire back six. A lesson to be learned. 5
Sloane
Got away with playing unfit last week but struggled early on in this one and should not have played and must not be allowed to play next week. Understand the gamble and the want to play him but the gamble failed and must not be tried again. His direct opponent Steele Sidebottom was clearly BOG. 4
Seedsman
Very impressive performance against his old mob despite the challenges he faced. His run and carry was outstanding and every time he got the ball, something happened. Six tackles, seven inside 50s, two goal assists and 28 possessions is a job very well done. 6
Talia
Dodged a big bullet standing Ben Reid with the Pies key forward kicking three points (two hit the post) in the first half. Talia stuck to his task in a game where conditions helped him but he never looked completely in control of his opponent and was a little lucky this one wasn’t ugly for him. 5
Walker
Like Sloane, he never looked convincing and while he too chose to play his impact was minimal. Another that simply must not play if he is not fit, especially with leg issues, and tough decisions must be made. 5
Mackay
Another nasty head clash may again put him in some doubt for the game ahead and gut feel says he should be spelled for a week. That said there were moments of his game and some attacks on the ball he should be proud of. Loved some of the things he is attempting to do and although his night wasn’t great there was a highlight or two. 5
Hartigan
Time on Cox made his game a challenging one too like many of the Crows back six. Cox was a constant danger and a great avenue to goal with his aerial contests. Sound and effective but not a big player in this game. 5
Brown
Beaten for one of the very rare and very few times. Had a role on Stephenson for much of this game and the Pies goal sneak was a constant danger kicking five. Anyone can have a bad night and this man has the right to have one. But just one! 4
Betts
His poor night ended in a mild disaster spending much of the last half on the bench nursing a tight hamstring. Again struggled to impact this game and was kept well in check by Collingwood’s Maynard. Looks set for at least a week on the sidelines. 3
Atkins
Reasonable night for the midfielder winning good amount of ball in defence and in attack. Still a little indecisive with his ball use which may be an issue for his team-mates up the field but good to see him influence a losing game. 6
Jacobs
Battled hard early in a great duel with Grundy but the longer the game went the more he appeared to struggle. Grundy got well on top at stoppage and was allowed to take the ball from a throw up to easily and boot it forward. Beaten clearly by games end for a very rare time. 5
Douglas
Very quiet from the start and while he got better after half-time it was not the Richard Douglas we have become accustomed to. Eight tackles showed he was trying but there was not enough offence. 5
Lynch
Very quiet early but saw limited ball in the Crows’ attack. Game didn’t improve much over the journey and didn’t appear to cover as much ground as usual. This team badly needs this man at his influential best. 5
Ellis-Yolmen
Took them 13 minutes to kick a goal but Ellis-Yolmen ended the drought after a very slow start by the Crows. Clearance work OK but unlike recent games he failed to rise to the occasion and further enhance his reputation. 5
Fogarty
Pounced on a loose ball and delivered in nicely to Atkins for the Crows’ second goal early in the second term to ease the onslaught but had limited impact after that. Surprise to see him picked after a week off last weekend and not handled well in my opinion. 4
Milera
Conditions didn’t appear to suit him but he defied the conditions to have some impressive moments in this game. Tackled well and got the ball in good places, this youngster must be persevered with, he is too good to play in the local comp. 5
Laird
Began well but dropped out of it in the second term as the rain came down. Back to his ball winning best after the main break and won plenty of ball but his delivery wasn’t at its usual high standard and while his game was statistically sound he has played much better. 6
Doedee
Unsighted for large parts of this difficult game in another massive learning experience for the young defender. Just appeared to get caught in two minds on many occasions and will learn quickly his first thought is his best thought. 5
McGovern
Scored an important goal as the heavens opened midway through the second term to keep the Crows within touch. Just. One of the better and more prominent of the Crows front 6 but even he had some tough times. 5
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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.