Chris McDermott’s player ratings, fast five for Round 19
PORT Adelaide kept its top-four hopes alive with a gritty win in freezing Ballarat while Adelaide’s faint September flame all but flickered out with its loss to Melbourne. See Chris McDermott’s key points and player ratings from each game.
PORT Adelaide kept its top-four hopes alive with its gritty win in freezing Ballarat while Adelaide’s faint September flame all but flickered out with its loss to Melbourne. See inaugural Crows skipper Chris McDermott’s key points and player ratings from each game.
Power fast five
1. The win put a smile on a few faces at Port Adelaide but their coach didn’t appear to be one of them. The Power have a very difficult four games to come before they can even think about finals and the pressure seemed to be taking its toll on Ken. His calm public persona took backstage at three-quarter time as he had some strong words for Ollie Wines and Riley Bonner. It is every coach’s right and to the players credit they accepted the critique well. The heat is officially on.
2. Ken Hinkley appeared to take a punt on Ryder and Jonas and he got it right. Neither of the important players looked 100 per cent fit but both played very important roles in this victory. Ryder’s presence on the field and his brilliance in ruck was invaluable while Jonas was back to his calm, reliable intimidating best. What a difference a week makes.
3. The form of Charlie Dixon may be an even better story for the Power than the victory against the Western Bulldogs. After a pretty tough year where the big man has been forced to move from the goal square and into ruck to cover the absence of Paddy Ryder, he has finally returned to his rightful home and the goals have returned as well. The Power are a genuine contender with Dixon in this type of form.
4. Jarrod Lienert was good on debut but even better in game two and in much tougher conditions. It was a great sign on a very difficult day for all. He gathered nine disposals in the opening term and handled to unusual conditions as well as any. 17 disposals and 5 marks at 70 per cent effective disposal was a very good day out and guaranteed his place in the 22 for another week at least.
5. Now for the Showdown. It will be a game that will decide both clubs’ seasons. A loss to the Crows will finally out a full stop to their year, while a win to the Power will keep them on track for a top-four finish and their premiership dreams will remain on track. A sell-out is certain but who wins is anything but.
Crows fast five
1. The time is near to make some calls on key players obviously struggling with injury and doing themselves a disservice by trying to play when their body is screaming out rest. Rory Sloane, Daniel Talia and Sam Jacobs are the three of most concern. All have gone above and beyond but after one last hurrah against the Power in next Saturday’s Showdown it might be time to put their boots away until 2019.
2. It is official. Wayne Milera has arrived. It has been worth the wait. Composure, class, elegance and quality execution look the trademark tools of his trade, not for some time to further develop his craft off a half back flank is a must. A defensive mosquito fleet of Laird, Milera, Brodie Smith and Luke Brown looks pretty good. In fact it looks better than pretty good.
3. 51 Inside 50s is enough but when your four key forwards Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Tom Lynch and Mitch McGovern manage just one goal between them, something is wrong. Either the ball is in the wrong hands when being delivered to them or as a group they have lost their cohesion. Whatever the reason they need to get it back and quickly.
4. Underestimate no-one in the AFL and anyone can get you if allowed some freedom, but who came up with the idea of leaving 300-gamer and four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis free to do as he pleased? After his first goal when left free at a stoppage 50m from goal surely he wouldn’t be allowed a second chance. He was and surprise, surprise, the same result. Two goals from poor lapses in judgment all but proved the difference.
5. This game may have been lost in 10 or 15 minutes of football but so what? Most games are. Games are often arm wrestles until someone breaks. Cracks under the pressure, mentally or physically. That’s the game and it always has been. The suggestion, that was all this game was, means very little. The fragility in the Crows is still there and fixing it is the problem.
Power player ratings
Boak
Another outstanding captains game from this man winning plenty of ball when it mattered most and doing all the things to inspire his troops. 7 inside 50s an outstanding effort in the conditions and looks to be building nicely at the important time of the year. 6
Powell-Pepper
Solid outing and some quality use of the ball, it was just his overall numbers that were down slightly on what we have become accustomed to. 5
Ryder
Looked good in his return from injury and gave his midfield a good look at the ball early but did struggle to win any possessions in general play. Given decent rest once the result was beyond doubt but did enough to make an impact on this game 5.
Motlop
Had an indifferent start but showed his class with stoppage win and goal in 2nd term as conditions improved slightly. Covered the ground better than most and looked dangerous gifting a goal to Wingard. 5
Ebert
Returned to somewhere near his best, handling the conditions with ease and marking well above his head when most others struggled. Much more like the Ebert we know and love and his contested work with 11 tackles was a highlight. 7
R. Gray
Held to four possessions and no scoreboard impact in the first half but finally got his first goal midway through the last term to put the result beyond doubt. Got better the longer the game went but needs a big day out before the minor round ends. 5
Rockliff
Got involved well early but went off the ground for an unknown reason and could not find the ball on his return. Finished strongly and like all other leaders he set a great example with his contested work laying 10 tackles of his own. 5
Wines
Loved the conditions and at his bullish best gathering 13 possessions in the first half and splitting the odd pack or two. Ended the day with 26 possessions in a good return to form from the entire midfield. 6
Clurey
Limited work to do in great conditions for defenders but did not put foot wrong all afternoon and handled the ball with class when he needed to. 6
Wingard
Got his hands on the ball well enough but fumble and could not put any of his ball to good value. Made amends early in the third term kicking his first goal to give the Power a game high 16-point lead. His game was good but it could have been so much better. 5
Polec
Handled the ball better than anyone on the park in the first term and used his 10 possessions well, going at an impressive 70 per cent effective disposal early. Clearly the standout performer on the ground all game gathering a team high 31 possessions and covering the ground like it was a dry day. 8
Dixon
Strong mark early in second quarter and nice goal, then took another beauty and goaled again to start the 3rd term. Repeated the effort later in the term as the Power took complete control. Ended his day with a season high five goals as his game reaches new heights. 8
Bonner
Minimal impact until late in the half with a couple of penetrating runs from defence but copped the wrath if his coach at three-quarter time after doing something that did not please Ken. Didn't appear to handle the conditions well. 5
Farrell
Got an early touch to settle his nerves on debut and battled hard all game to finally get rewarded with his first goal from long range. Nearly got another one late and his form will have given the coaching staff something to think about. 5
Watts
Quality goal into the wind after a mark in the pocket got the Power on the board in difficult conditions but struggled to do much more after that. Got to enough contests but had no further involvement in scoring. 5
Pittard
Hardly sighted in the opening half with just five kicks and six disposals in total. Second half slightly better but he appeared to be another that didn’t thrive in the conditions. 4
Byrne-Jones
Looked uncertain and uncomfortable in the wet and windy weather and like several of his teammates simply didn’t warm to the very bleak conditions in this game. 4
Westhoff
Goal from 10m out right on the quarter time siren gave the Power the lead for the first time in another typical game from the veteran rotating through the forward line, in defence and with some handy minutes in ruck. 5
Houston
Nice start by the youngster and did himself proud handling the conditions well and helping himself to 12 disposals and an impressive 11 one percenters. 5
Hombsch
Took him a while to get comfortable in the conditions and was little fumbly early. Conceded front position to Schache allowing the forward to mark and goal but didn’t make the same mistake twice and had a very solid day out. 5
Jonas
Played deep in defence in the opening term and mopped up everything at will. Appeared to play within some limitations but as always did his job to near perfection. 6
Lienert
Took a nice strong mark overhead as the rain tumbled to settle his nerves in game two and gathered nine disposals in the opening term. Assured and composed all game in another excellent performance from this young man. 6
Crows player ratings
Greenwood
The goals keep on coming for Greenwood with a nice snap from a boundary throw-in for his first and the Crows second then scored another much needed goal in the third term against the run of play as the Crows battled to stay in touch. Dropped in and out of this one and his efficiency was off slightly. 6
Knight
Had the job on Melbourne midfield hard nut Clayton Oliver and kept him in control early before Oliver began to dominate. Showing signs of genuine improvement and strong indications of a player that has something to offer. 5
Jenkins
Nearly kicked the goal of the century with his first touch of the ball but it was just touched on the line. Looked a little out of sorts as he fumbled a few he should have swallowed. Nothing wrong with his intent and effort but his execution let him down badly and there was no impact on the scoreboard. 5
M. Crouch
Had the ball on a string again did the ball magnet but efficiency and value from his touches let him down a fraction. Contested work was as good as it has been and he was a constant source of creativity for his team. 7
Gibbs
The goal fest continued for the Crows early and Gibbs added his name to the collection with a brilliant snap from re scoreboard pocket. Won enough of the ball to have a much bigger influence in this game but time spent in attack suggests he is not 100 per cent fit at the moment. 6
Gallucci
Just the three first-half touches and missed a goal he must kick in the future as he again struggled to grab his opportunity. There are times when he looks the goods but there are too many quiet periods for my liking. 4
Kelly
Very quiet first half with little impact on this game. When there is not a genuine shut down role for him to play he must flick the switch and won more of the ball. 5
Sloane
Battled hard with a tight tag and without looking 100 per cent fit and not covering the ground anywhere near what we are used to. Twelve tackles suggests he is in among the action but 17 possessions at a dismal 29 per cent effective disposal strongly suggests he should take some time off to get his body sound for 2019. 4
Seedsman
Brilliant set shot goal from the pocket got the Crows off to a perfect start but injured his hamstring soon after, ending his night very early. 2
Talia
Had trouble containing Tom McDonald and had two kicked on him by half time but battled on courageously despite also looking much less than 100 per cent fit. 17 one percenters a great effort but he was another not at his best. 5
Walker
Looked very dangerous without impacting the scoreboard early but like many of the forwards he struggled to score enough. 5
Brown
Defensively sound as usual but statistically quiet also as usual in this must win game. One of only a few that used the ball well going at over 90 per cent effective disposal but he needed more help. 5
Betts
Made it three for the Crows in the opening seven minutes with a regulation snap from the pocket as only this man can. Looked the most likely to score as he always does but a costly uncharacteristic miss late ended the Crows’ charge for victory. 6
Atkins
Good amount of the ball in the opening half and a goal as his value to this team continues to grow. Struggled to impact the game as the Demons midfield took control but a more than serviceable game for the wingman. 6
Jacobs
Started well and had the better of the early duels against Max Gawn but the longer the game went the more he fatigued and the more dominant Gawn became. Nullified the Demons big man’s influence in general play but was soundly beaten at stoppage. 5
Lynch
Kept relatively well in check but still had some quality touches in the opening half but efficiency let him down the longer the game went. 31 per cent effective disposal is an unusual poor result for someone traditionally so clean but Melbourne did their homework well. 5
Cheney
Had his hands full with Jake Melksham early but persisted and had a pretty good night on a big stage. Won plenty of the ball and his hands and marking was a feature. Gets a big tick for this effort. 6
Laird
A reasonable night for the defender, who was slightly down on his prolific best and targeted by the Demons small men and denied time and space to nullify his influence. 6
Milera
Sensational first half and was impossible to tackle on several occasions as his confidence grew to new levels. Just loved the way he held his nerve in traffic and backed himself to get out of trouble. Excellent mix of offence and defence as he rubber stamped his home on a half back flank. 7
Murphy
Missed and early shot on goal but started well and looked a threat. Tough night for the Crows’ front six but the youngster did enough once again to earn another game next week. 5
Keath
Solid in defence and clean with his ball use in an impressive display. Never rattled and stuck to his task all night. Well played. 7
McGovern
Game slowly building after a long layoff but injured his shoulder again in a hard contest that sent him from the ground for a brief moment. Returned soon after and plucked a nice mark or two but could do little to change the result. 4
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