Chris McDermott’s Round 4 Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power player ratings
It was a horror weekend for South Australia’s AFL teams. And Chris McDermott hasn’t held back in his weekly Crows and Power player ratings. See who cops the brunt.
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It was a horror weekend for South Australia’s AFL teams. And Chris McDermott hasn’t held back in his ratings of the Crows and Power players.
ADELAIDE CROWS PLAYER RATINGS
B Crouch……….6
The fast pace in this one appeared to trouble him early going without a kick in the first quarter but got an early one in the second and goaled to get himself engaged in the contest. Much to dmire about the way he worked through the challenges of this game to be more than serviceable.
Knight…………..5
Won some ball in the first half but failed to finish this game off in decent fashion or make a difference when it mattered most. Stuck in mediocrity at the moment and in danger of losing his place unless he can raise his game a notch or two.
Jenkins…………4
Missed an absolute sitter early in this one then missed another early in the second as the game continued to struggle to reach any heights. Finally got one late to keep the Crows in contention but it was from the goal square and he nearly didn’t make contact in a night to forget for the forward.
Uh oh...#AFLNorthCrows pic.twitter.com/ehWjDIvEtS
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
M Crouch………..6
Not at his best early but few were in this very poor standard contest. Like his brother he worked himself into the game well but he too didn’t get any value from the possessions he had.
Kelly………….5
No damage done but no decent input had in a pretty average game from the negating defender. Sometimes you have to be able to raise your game, take a risk and do something different to inspire your team to victory and like many on this occasion he couldn’t.
Sloane…….5
Kept under close watch and not allowed any of the freedom or space he needs to change the course of a game. His beauty is his defensive skills and his involvements are always genuinely good even when his offence is down but could not contribute any value in this game, especially after half time
Poholke…………4
Tough game first up for the season and he had a good moment or two but his game has moved beyond that requirement now and he needs to make the most of every opportunity this season or face an uncertain future.
Talia……….5
Started well intercepting several early Kangaroo forward thrusts and standing tall and strong in the wake of some constant and relentless pressure. He was always fighting what looked to be a losing battle and the sheer weight of numbers eventually wore him down. Had his hands full at times with Brown who eventually kicked four goals but it was hardly this man’s fault.
Walker……….4
Brilliant pass off his left foot found Eddie Betts for his second goal and settled the Crows after a tight start and like we have said about the co-captain several times already this season, there were some very good moments but just not enough. That said, when you go inside 50m just 36 times and with such poor execution what is a forward meant to do?
Mackay…………..4
On a ground that should suit him as well as any player he couldn't get involved to any decent degree in this game. Not sure what his responsibilities are at the moment and by the looks of it neither does he.
Hartigan………..4
Defensively solid as is his norm but nothing else. The Kangaroo tall forwards all looked dangerous and could have hurt the Crows even more except for some very poor kicking at goal and this was not one of his better nights.
Betts……………6
Got one of the deck from just outside the goalsquare to kick the first of the game and settle the team after an ugly start then made it two after a nice pass from Walker. Ended up with three goals for the night in a very welcome return to form but still doesn’t look to be anywhere near the Eddie of old just yet.
Jones………n/a
Marked with courage on the wing and won a 50m penalty to put him inside 50m but he could not convert. The hit caused him some discomfort and sent him to the changerooms for a concussion test and surprisingly ended his night leaving the Crows 1 man short.
Atkins………..5
Started this one well and looked to be in for a good night but lost his way as the game deteriorated as a spectacle. His numbers were good as was his efficiency but where he got the ball and what he did with it was not as dangerous or valuable as it has been this season.
Lynch………5
Involved as much as he could and 20 disposals a decent number for the hard running forward but like the majority of his teammates there was little impact from his possessions and even less impact on the scoreboard.
Laird………….6
Loved his commitment to getting involved as much as he could in this game after a quiet few weeks to start the season but could be criticised for calling for the ball in poor spots and when under pressure. His 31 possessions at 77%ed looks good on paper but none of the usual run and carry or impact on a game we have become accustomed to from this man.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen………….6
Had the job on the dangerous Ben Cunnington and did it extremely well for most of this game but Cunnington did bob up at important times to make his presence felt and contribute to the win. Worth persevering with but the team does have too many of this type of player and a complete re-jig of their 22 must happen now before its too late.
Milera……………5
Another of the Crows playmakers to be very closely watched in this game and restricted as much as possible. Broke clear for a nice goal at an important time but another that just couldn’t do enough to make a difference in this game.
Smith………….5
Very unobtrusive night from a man that should have thrived on the hard deck at Marvel Stadium. His return from a long term injury is going to see h m have his ups and downs but in his role kicking in he gets enough free ball to make a bigger and better impact on every game.
Keath………..7
Without doubt the Crows’ best and most influential player as his stocks continue to rise as a quality tall defender in the game today. His intercept marking is as good as any with another 10 in this game alone and his 20 possessions at 85%ed shows an exception individual performance on a very poor night for his team
O’Brien…………5
Had his work cut out on Goldstein and again looked to be overawed at times giving away a couple of very costly free kicks. That said his work rate is good and he can win some possessions that Sam Jacobs is not at the moment and to use them as a double act has some merit.
Murphy………..4
How could it be anything but a difficult night for an opportunistic small forward in his early days. Tried hard but was fighting a losing battle all night.
PORT ADELAIDE PLAYER RATINGS
Powell-Pepper……5
Got some reward just before the main break with a sneaky goal from close range with just his fourth disposal of the match. Not one of his better games and like several of his teammates he looked tired and unable to run hard after their tight game against Brisbane last week.
Burton…………5
His game hit rock bottom in the 3rd term when he gave away a free kick to Tom Lynch after the Tiger forward goaled to give him another goal from the square and put Richmond in front for a rare time Made amends with long goal from the pocket to narrow the margin to three points late in the game but he too failed to have his regular impact.
Ryder………..4
Showed a bit of his class early as his recovery from a head injury continues and his midfield flourished as a result then kicked a nice goal from long range to get some reward for himself, before marking on the lead seconds later and missing from a little closer. Another of the Powers key players that looked to tire and Nankervis took control late in the game.
Motlop……….3
Very quiet start with just 2 disposals in the opening half in a display that would not have pleased Ken Hinkley. Things didn’t get any better after the break and managed a disappointing seven possessions for the entire game. Just not enough from such a talented player.
Ebert……7
Marked and goaled with his first touch of the ball to get the Power off to a fast start then showed great courage to mark in the second and copped a heavy knock in the process but he recovered quickly to kick his second moments later. Had some really good moments in this one but far too often he was a lone hand with very few helpers.
R. Gray…….5
Got on the end of a classic passage of play to kick the Powers second goal as they took control midway through the first term then kicked his second right on three quarter time to keep the Tigers at arms length. Was under pressure with every disposal he had in this game and as a consequence he used the ball at a rare low 56%ed.
Boak……..8
Set the standard and played with great intensity from the first bounce gathering 11 disposals in the opening term and worked himself into the ground by games end gathering 33 possessions with three goal assists. Closely marked for much of this contest but to his credit still managed to be one of the Power’s best.
Rockliff………8
Defied the odds and fronted for this game beating the concussion rules after being knocked out last week and had 22 disposals and five clearances to half time. More than justified his place in this team with 37 possessions despite not getting the normal value from many of them.
Wines………5
Couldn’t win much of the ball in the midfield but rolled forward to mark inside 50m twice and goal once but only had the 9 possessions in the first half. Largely unsighted for much of this clash but snagged a late goal to put the Power back in front heading into time on. Still a long way off his best.
Clurey………..6
Hard and strong at the body and ball as usual and shared the duties on key forward Tom Lynch holding him to just 1 goal in the first half. Another very strong performance from the key defender despite Lynch kicking five on a variety of defenders.
Butters………….4
Appeared to show signs of fatigue struggling to impact this game as usual and had no impact on the scoreboard at all. The start to his AFL career has been exceptional and must freshen up this week or face a week off to let his body recover.
Rozee……………4
Watched more closely this game after his five-goal haul last week and struggled to make his presence felt going without a kick in the first three quarters. To his credit he never dropped his head and kept plugging away but learned a good lesson on how tough this game is.
Duursma………….5
Nailed holding the ball by a swarming Tigers forward line but the shot on goal went wide as the Power felt the heat early but fought back nicely to be the best of the 4 rookies. Took sensational mark with just minutes to go but could not convert but had some really good moments in this tough game.
Bonner………..5
No influence on this game and appeared reluctant to try the things that have made him such a valuable asset to this team in 2019.
So brave from Willem Drew! #AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/vsiEwftek2
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
Drew………..5
Slow to start but kept plugging away to win some quality possessions in his normal hardnosed fashion. Bobbed up to kick a crunch goal and narrow the margin to just 2 points half way through the last quarter then took a sensational courageous mark to complete a good outing from the youngster.
Lycett……………6
Had his hands full with Nankervis at stoppage but found plenty of ball around the ground with 12 disposals in the opening half as he continued to enjoy his early days in a Power jumper. Probably just got pipped for honours against the Tiger talls but his performance had merit.
Howard…………5
Appeared to freelance his role in defence and was again strong in the air destroying countless forward thrusts from Richmond. His 11 one per centers were a game high again but he must start to broaden his skill set and add some quality offence to his very sound defensive skills.
Byrne-Jones…………….5
Hardly sighted in this fast paced game and little of his traditional hardness. Still won 18 possessions but not in the places he normally does and not with the influence he normally has.
Houston………..8
Got involved in this one early relishing a bit of freedom in defence grabbing 12 disposals in the first term and using his leg to absolute perfection. Solid all game and then seized the moment late with a great intercept mark and goal to put the Power back in front with just over 4 minutes left on the clock. His best game for 2019 and hopefully a sign of good things to come.
Westhoff……………..4
His indifferent start to the season continued going kickless again in the opening term and finding it impossible to get involved in any way. Ended his day with 14 disposals but no impact on the scoreboard except a single point from a shot he should have kicked. Needs a big one because when he plays well, they win!
Jonas…………..5
Had the big job on Tom Lynch and conceded an early mark but Lynch missed allowing the Power to rebound and kick the game’s first goal. Coughed up another before quarter time when he butchered a short pass in a game for the co-captain that was not at his usual high standard.
S. Gray………..6
At his opportunistic best early sneaking in for 2 marks and kicking 2 goals in the first term but dropped out of it completely after that an unsighted until he cashed in on a horror Richmond mistake to kick his 3rd. Made the most of limited opportunities in a pretty good night for the small forward.
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