Who starred, who flopped? Bone’s Showdown 45 player ratings
ADVERTISER AFL expert and inaugural Crows captain Chris McDermott rates each player from the titanic tussle that was Showdown 45. Who were your top picks?
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ADVERTISER AFL expert and inaugural Crows captain Chris McDermott rates each player from the titanic tussle that was Showdown 45. Who were your top picks? Tell us below.
ADELAIDE CROWS
Hugh Greenwood
Flew the flag in the midfield early while containing Ollie Wines. Continued to win the ball in key places and in big moments. 6
Riley Knight
Just six possessions in a very quiet first half but did pay close attention to Polec. Strong defensive role. 5
Josh Jenkins
Looked the most dangerous forward to the main break then kicked his third goal late in the game to give the Crows the win. 6
Matt Crouch
Not at his best early in gathering enough ball. Continued to work hard, accumulated possessions and kicked a big goal late. 7
Jordan Gallucci
Unsighted early and just three touches to halftime. Missed from the goalsquare early in the last quarter but got one later to end his night on a good note. 4
Rory Sloane
No one loves a Showdown as much as this man and he began in great style winning plenty of contested ball to set the standard for his team with 17 disposals to halftime. 7
Daniel Talia
Did not touch the ball in the first term as the Power kicked five goals and had just one possession to halftime as his fitness was a concern once again. 4
Taylor Walker
Looked dangerous all night and finished well to play a significant role in the victory. 5
David Mackay
Had his hands full on Farrell and conceded three goals in the first term. Couldn’t find enough ball to influence the game. 4
Luke Brown
Had Robbie Gray for a while then Wingard and it doesn’t get much tougher as both made the scoreboard tick over. 4
Eddie Betts
Quiet start with just three touches and no goals in the first term. Finally got a goal with five minutes to play. 4
Rory Atkins
Had 16 possessions to halftime but much of it was short and stationary. Never stopped running and driving the Crows forward. 7
Bryce Gibbs
Back nearer his best, especially in the first half, playing that high half-forward role. His use of the ball by foot was a standout 7
Sam Jacobs
Started well but again looked anything but 100 per cent fit. Battled hard and appeared to wear Ryder down. 6
Tom Lynch
Ran into a lot of dead ends early as he was kept well in check by the Power’s defenders. 5
Cam Ellis-Yolmen
His big body proved useful early as the game began in torrid contested fashion but failed to have much offensive impact. 5
Rory Laird
Had Darcy Byrne-Jones as his minder and restricted to just 10 possessions in the first half as he struggled to break free. 6
Wayne Milera
Began well and put his evasive powers to great use but the physical pressure came and some mistakes followed. 6
Brodie Smith
Great to have him back but went kickless in the first half as the game appeared to go on around him. Second half was better. 4
Lachlan Murphy
Quiet start and tough game for the youngster but jagged an important goal in another handy contribution. 4
Alex Keath
Had his hands full in defence minding Charlie Dixon but stuck to his task well. 7
Tom Doedee
Much better after the long break and kicked a rare goal in the last to reduce the margin to just six points. 6
PORT ADELAIDE
Travis Boak
Some great moments and impact on the scoreboard, but not enough. 6
Sam Powell-Pepper
Not enough ball and well off his best as his temper appeared to get the better of him late in the opening half. 4
Paddy Ryder
Had an even battle with Jacobs in the first half with the big men sharing the honours but appeared to tire in the third term. 5
Steven Motlop
Not a night to remember from the recruit and he must be better. 4
Brad Ebert
At his contested best but clean ball and quality disposals were difficult to find as he again had a defensive role in the midfield. 6
Robbie Gray
Ended up with four goals and won the medal for best-on-ground but can still elevate his game. 7
Tom Rockliff
Quiet to start but soon found his rhythm and 13 possessions to halftime. Not as effective as he has been in recent games. 6
Ollie Wines
Perhaps his worst performance of the year. Uncertain with his disposal and kept well in check by Hugh Greenwood. 4
Tom Clurey
Had the job on Walker and kept him under control but the Crows skipper continued to look dangerous all night. 6
Chad Wingard
Hardly sighted in the first half until long bomb from inside the square and then another shortly after. 6
Jared Polec
Had the ball on a string early. The clamp came from Riley Knight and his numbers dwindled. 6
Charlie Dixon
Threatened but could not shake Alex Keath from negating most of his work. 5
Kane Farrell
Kicked three goals in the first term to look every bit the player in his second game. Will be a very handy player. 6
Riley Bonner
Uncertain and indecisive and that hurt both him and the Power early. Improved as game went. 5
Jack Watts
Lacked the intensity needed when the game was there to be won and it was not a game he will want to see much of again. 4
Jasper Pittard
Some good moments but some poor ones again and no room for him to run and carry the ball as required. 5
Darcy Byrne-Jones
Stuck to his guns all night and did the job but his presence was missed in defence and that proved costly. 5
Justin Westhoff
Like several of his teammates, had a night to forget. Won enough ball but his efficiency and effectiveness were down. 5
Dan Houston
Brilliant start with plenty of rebound from defence. Couldn’t maintain his effectiveness after the halftime break. 6
Jack Hombsch
Not a great night. Looked all at sea in his job on Josh Jenkins with the Crows forward kicking two first-quarter goals. 4
Tom Jonas
Looked anything but 100 per cent fit and appeared to struggle to get over the ground. Battled on well regardless in defence and while he was never exposed, he got by on sheer heart alone. 5
Jarrod Lienert
Looked very comfortable in his first Showdown despite his limited experience at this level and one of just a handful of Power players who stuck to his task effectively all game. Eighteen disposals at over 80 per cent efficiency. 6
