Round 15 power rankings: Reece Homfray wraps up the weekend’s AFL footy
PORT Adelaide can’t buy a goal, yet a man who is one of its cleanest around the big sticks is in danger of being dropped. In his weekly AFL power rankings, Reece Homfray makes the case for Jake Neade.
PORT Adelaide can’t buy a goal, yet a man who is one of its cleanest around the big sticks is in the most danger of being dropped.
The Power must stick with Jake Neade, who was dropped for the clash to play Richmond then got a last-minute reprieve when Jack Hombsch’s knee didn’t come up in time for the game, when it plays West Coast this weekend.
Neade had to wait until Round 13 for his first AFL game this year while Ken Hinkley persisted with Aaron Young and kept the faith in Sam Gray as pressure forwards.
Yet in his three games against Brisbane, Collingwood and Richmond he has kicked 3.0.
Hardly anything to write home about but analyse his goals - when they came, from where and how the game was placed — and you will appreciate their value.
On Saturday night the Power couldn’t hit the side of a barn door when it opened the game with 1.6.
Enter Neade early in the second quarter when he marked the ball inside 50m, coolly went back and did what his teammates could not — kick straight.
He should have had two by that stage had he not decided to pass the footy to Matt White after marking inside 50m in the first quarter.
The week before against Collingwood, again the Power started nervously in front of goal with Robbie Gray shanking a set shot and Port having all the play without putting it on the scoreboard.
Neade got on the end of a Sam Gray shimmy and Travis Boak’s unbelievable no-look handball, and off two steps snapped truly around his body.
Again, another important goal when the game was on the line.
Neade’s pressure is what brought him into the Power’s side in the first place and it was at a more than acceptable level against the Tigers.
His efforts — whether in the air against Brandon Ellis or tackling at ground level — forced three turnovers in the first quarter and he finished with four inside 50s and two score assists.
When Hinkley hosts Port Adelaide’s match committee this week, Neade cannot be the first one out because he was last one in on Saturday night.
His run will be important on the wider Subiaco Oval against West Coast and it doesn’t hurt having a bloke who is playing for his football life in your side when you need to win.
“What he brings to the team is that pressure and he’s elite at that, especially when he’s on,” Jarman Impey said on Saturday night.
“He just plays his role being that small forward and trying to keep it in our 50.
“Us small forwards have just got to get back to the contest and try to stop them from rebounding.”
Neade has kicked 3.0 in his three games this season.
Last year he kicked 15.5 at 75 per cent, after 9.3 at 75 per cent in 2015, 10.7 at 58 per cent in 2014 and 11.6 at 64 per cent in 2013.
Across his career he has kicked 48 goals in 54 games.
Right now those numbers stack up pretty well against some of his teammates, who are struggling.
For all the value Sam Gray brings to Port’s side with his run and carry, and pressure, he has kicked 4.12 in Port’s six losses this season.
Port Adelaide has been so close to a top-eight scalp yet has nothing to show for it this season, so what does that do for its self-belief?
“I guess there’s probably a little bit (of doubt) in the back of your mind but we just have to play consistent football, I’m going to bring it back to our finish and put it on us forwards to finish the work,” Impey said.
“We need to tidy up, coming through (the middle) when we have no one in our forward line is pretty easy but when it gets congested we just seem to burn the ball and turn it over.
“As you know it’s a tight season and I felt like we were in the game and probably let it slip towards the end.”
POWER RANKINGS
All 18 teams are assessed and ranked every week based on form to chart the movers and sliders throughout the season.
1. GWS (10-3-1)
Previous ranking: 18, 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1
Should be reasonably happy to escape with a draw after they trailed by 20 points in the third quarter, and the Cats will rue it as one that got away. Still a long way from fielding their best side and will take confidence out of being able to match it with a finals-hardened team such as Geelong.
Ladder position: 1st
Coming up: Hawthorn (Tasmania), Sydney (Spotless Stadium), Richmond (MCG)
2. Geelong (9-4-1)
Previous ranking: 6, 7, 4, 4, 2, 3, 4, 8, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2
Should have won from where they were in the third term and if Hawkins kicks that goal after the siren they do. Would have been massive for the their top-four chances but nonetheless are still right where they’d want to be at this point in the season.
Ladder position: 3rd
Coming up: Brisbane (Gabba), Hawthorn (MCG), Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
3. Adelaide (10-4)
Previous ranking: 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 2, 3
Wasn’t looking good in the final term when Carlton came at them but, as Don Pyke later said, they just found a way to win. Hugh Greenwood’s hands in tight were fantastic in the final quarter and set up the two winning goals. Josh Jenkins had 13 disposals, 13 tackles and three goals which more than proves he is getting back to his best and it could be time to recall Kyle Cheney now Kyle Hartigan has done his hammy. Massive Friday night test coming up.
Ladder position: 2nd
Coming up: Western Bulldogs (Adelaide Oval), Melbourne (TIO Stadium), Geelong (Adelaide Oval)
4. Sydney (7-7)
Previous ranking: 12, 9, 12, 16, 17, 18, 17, 15, 11, 15, 16, 14, 7, 7
Here they come, all right and they don’t seem to be missing Kurt Tippett at the moment. Even a man down with Callum Mills knocked out and some woeful goalkicking, the Swans were far too good for the Dees. They’re building nicely and time will tell if they run out of steam by the time they get to September but while they’re alive they’re a big chance. They’ve gone from 16th to fourth on the power rankings in a month.
Ladder position: 9th
Coming up: Gold Coast (SCG), GWS (Spotless Stadium), St Kilda (SCG)
5. Richmond (9-5)
Previous ranking: 8, 5, 2, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 10, 6, 5, 6, 6
Got to give it to the Tiges there, they found a way to win when they trailed by 16 points late in the third quarter. Dusty was enormous and crucial goals to Dan Butler helped ice it. Rance worked himself into the game in the second half and on that form you’ve got to give them a big chance of winning a final.
Ladder position: 4th
Coming up: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium), Brisbane (Etihad Stadium), GWS (MCG)
6. Melbourne (8-6)
Previous ranking: 5, 8, 8, 12, 11, 10, 12, 9, 10, 9, 11, 7, 5, 4
Reality check, Dees. There’s a reason Melbourne hasn’t played finals since 2006 and Sydney has only missed once in that time. As soon as Thomas Bugg threw that punch the Demons were in trouble because there was no way the Swans were tolerating that. Far from Melbourne’s best side due to injuries but were a long, long way off it on Friday night.
Ladder position: 6th
Coming up: Carlton (MCG), Adelaide (TIO Stadium), Port Adelaide (MCG)
7. Port Adelaide (8-6)
Previous ranking: 1, 2, 3, 6, 6, 6, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5
If you didn’t look at the scoreboard you’d almost think Port Adelaide played the better footy on Saturday night. The defence stood tall, led by Tom Jonas and Tom Clurey who were without Jack Hombsch, and the midfield won clearances and contested ball. Collectively they also won inside 50s but there was just one minor problem, goal kicking. I love Sam Gray’s work with the footy and his pressure but 4.12 in six losses hurts. I still give them a big chance to beat West Coast in Perth this weekend.
Ladder position: 5th
Coming up: West Coast (Subiaco), North Melbourne (Adelaide Oval), Melbourne (MCG)
8. St Kilda (8-6)
Previous ranking: 13, 11, 11, 8, 9, 7, 5, 4, 8, 7, 7, 12, 14, 10
What a gutsy win by the Saints in Perth, which puts them a game in front of Sydney in eighth spot on the ladder. Deservedly jump back into the eight in the power rankings too. Seb Ross (34 touches) further enhanced his reputation this season as a star of the comp.
Ladder position: 8th
Coming up: Richmond (Etihad Stadium), Essendon (Etihad Stadium), Sydney (SCG)
9. West Coast (8-6)
Previous ranking: 4, 6, 9, 7, 8, 8, 6, 3, 6, 6, 9, 10, 8, 11
What a difficult team to read. Jack Darling played a ripper in Josh Kennedy’s absence and the Eagles won a rare game in Melbourne. What’s more it was against the Dogs, who are in a similar position and fighting for finals. Big test against the Power at home this weekend.
Ladder position: 7th
Coming up: Port Adelaide (Subiaco), Fremantle (Subiaco), Collingwood (Etihad Stadium)
10. Western Bulldogs (7-7)
Previous ranking: 7, 3, 5, 3, 5, 4, 3, 5, 7, 5, 5, 6, 9, 8
There’s a very real risk the Dogs could miss the eight from here. Losing to West Coast, which has an atrocious record in Melbourne, will hurt and now they’ve got a trip to Adelaide to take on the Crows this Friday night. As good as Luke Beveridge is, he’s been unable to arrest a slide so far this year.
Ladder position: 10th
Coming up: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Carlton (MCG), Gold Coast (Cazaly’s Stadium)
11. Hawthorn (6-8)
Previous ranking: 11, 16, 18, 18, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 13, 15, 17, 17, 15
Considering their disastrous start to the season, Hawthorn has somehow salvaged a respectable enough win/loss record now. Probably won’t play finals but there is light at the end of the tunnel because Ryan Burton, James Sicily and Tim O’Brien are genuine stars in the making.
Ladder position: 13th
Coming up: GWS (Tasmania), Geelong (MCG), Fremantle (Subiaco)
12. Essendon (6-8)
Previous ranking: 3, 4, 10, 13, 10, 12, 14, 11, 9, 11, 12, 9, 11, 9
What a howler. Losing to Brisbane at the Gabba would be bad but losing to Brisbane in Melbourne is unacceptable for a team wanting to play finals. The Dons let Ryan Lester take a pack mark without any real pressure in the dying moments and that was the game.
Ladder position: 11th
Coming up: Collingwood (MCG), St Kilda (Etihad Stadium), North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium)
13. Carlton (5-9)
Previous ranking: 16, 15, 14, 14, 18, 15, 13, 12, 17, 17, 17, 15, 12, 13
Brave effort against the Crows and could have won it had they held on in the closing stages. Liam Jones played another outstanding game and Bryce Gibbs had another 30 disposals against the team that wanted him but not badly enough. On a side note, Brendan Bolton standing up all day in the coaches’ box?
Ladder position: 16th
Coming up: Melbourne (MCG), Western Bulldogs (MCG), Brisbane (Gabba)
14. Gold Coast (6-8)
Previous ranking: 15, 18, 14, 11, 13, 13, 10, 14, 15, 16, 13, 11, 13, 16
Jarryd Lyons had 39 disposals on Saturday night and 23 were contested. Those sort of numbers would look pretty good in a Crows guernsey right now alongside Rory Sloane. The Suns rallied for Gary Ablett’s 300th game and took care of the Kangaroos, which is another tick in the “keep Rocket” column.
Ladder position: 12th
Coming up: Sydney (SCG), Collingwood (Metricon Stadium), Western Bulldogs (Cazaly’s Stadium)
15. Collingwood (5-9)
Previous ranking: 9, 13, 6, 9, 12, 11, 17, 14, 12, 8, 8, 9, 10, 12
The questions over Nathan Buckley and Collingwood are only getting louder now the Pies have slipped to 15th on the ladder. Hawthorn owed them one from earlier in the season but even so, finals are officially shot now and the question is will Bucks go too?
Ladder position: 15th
Coming up: Essendon (MCG), Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium), West Coast (Etihad Stadium)
16. Fremantle (6-8)
Previous ranking: 17, 17, 13, 10, 7, 9, 9, 7, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, 14
A week after taking Geelong right to the line, the Dockers were in it for a long way against St Kilda but couldn’t get it done in the last. Michael Walters 6.2 and 32 disposals a career game for him but not enough to lift his side to victory.
Ladder position: 14th
Coming up: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium), West Coast (Subiaco), Hawthorn (Subiaco)
17. Brisbane (3-11)
Previous ranking: 10, 14, 16, 17, 14, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18
After eight consecutive weeks on the bottom of the power rankings, Brisbane has handed the wooden spoon over to North Melbourne after its stirring win over Essendon in Melbourne. Ryan Lester’s contested mark and goal in the final moments iced the game but collectively they willed themselves over the line in a frantic final quarter when they were brave enough to take the game on up the middle.
Ladder position: 18th
Coming up: Geelong (Gabba), Richmond (Etihad Stadium), Carlton (Gabba)
18. North Melbourne (4-10)
Previous ranking: 14, 12, 17, 15, 16, 14, 11, 13, 13, 14, 14, 16, 16, 17
Not much to get excited about for the Kangaroos fans who would have gone to Gold Coast hopeful of a win but were outgunned. Luke McDonald had 31 disposals but the next best was Andrew Swallow on 24 and that sort of gap won’t win you too many games. Sorry, Kanga, but you’re officially bottom of the power rankings this week.
Ladder position: 17th
Coming up: Fremantle (Etihad Stadium), Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Essendon (Etihad Stadium)
WHO’S YOUR MVP?
Round 15 votes
Adelaide
5 votes: Matt Crouch
K: 12 M: 1 H: 17 G: 1.0
When Carlton hit the front with 10 minutes to go, Crouch Jnr went to work. He had three big clearances in the space of two minutes and that left-foot snap goal gave the Crows the momentum they needed to go on to win the game.
4 votes: Brodie Smith
K: 18 M: 6 H: 12 G: 1.1
Stood up for four quarters while others drifted in and out. Great spoil in the first quarter and took a big mark in the third. Very creative once again.
3 votes: Brad Crouch
K: 14 M: 5 H: 16 G: 0.1
Not a lot splitting Brad from his brother on Saturday. Was so good in traffic and so quick with ball in hand to get it moving from stoppage.
2 votes: Josh Jenkins
K: 10 M: 5 H: 3 G: 3.1
13 tackles from a guy his size says everything about his attitude. Loved his hit on Simon White which showed he’s got his physical edge back. Kicked 3.1 and also did some nice things in the ruck to help Sam Jacobs.
1 vote: Hugh Greenwood
K: 3 M: 1 H: 9 G: 0.1
Only 12 touches but two were super-contested handballs to release Matt Crouch and Josh Jenkins who kicked the winning goals. Also laid two big tackles and won a clearance in one important passage of play in the third. Again, maximum impact from minimum game time and disposal.
Port Adelaide
5 votes: Chad Wingard
K: 27 M: 6 H: 12 G: 0.1
Played a blinder on the ball all night. His hands are as good as Robbie Gray’s when he tries to trap the ball at ground level and he had equal game-high contested possessions (17) and clearances (10).
4 votes: Sam Powell-Pepper
K: 13 M: 3 H: 11 G: 2.2
At his bullocking best. Dustin Martin was the best player on the ground and Powell-Pepper looks like a younger version of him. Won 10 contested disposals and kicked two goals.
3 votes: Tom Clurey
K: 7 M: 5 H: 2 G: 0.0
Did a pretty good job on Jack Riewoldt, who only kicked one goal in Richmond’s win. Riewoldt did take a hanger over him to set up a goal in the last term but Clurey read the play well and showed good body strength.
2 votes: Tom Jonas
K: 11 M: 6 H: 9 G: 0.0
Honest as always, spent time on Martin when he rested forward which is no easy task but he alone won four 50/50 contests in the first quarter and didn’t make many mistakes in a very solid backline.
1 vote: Ollie Wines
K: 13 M: 7 H: 15 G: 0.1
Perhaps a little unlucky to only get the one vote but that set shot he sprayed really stung. Still, 28 touches, 17 contested and 10 clearances is more than holding up his end of the bargain in the middle.
Leaderboards
ADELAIDE
32: Rory Sloane
28: Matt Crouch
25: Sam Jacobs
20: Rory Laird
15: Jake Lever
14: Taylor Walker
13: Tom Lynch
12: Brad Crouch
10: Brodie Smith
9: Hugh Greenwood
8: Rory Atkins
PORT ADELAIDE
30: Ollie Wines
19: Brad Ebert, Robbie Gray, Charlie Dixon
18: Paddy Ryder
15: Tom Jonas
13: Chad Wingard
12: Sam Powell-Pepper
9: Jared Polec
8: Tom Clurey, Travis Boak
BURNING QUESTIONS
This week — Who comes in for Hartigan?
Almost certain to miss at least a week or two with his hamstring injury, Kyle Hartigan isn’t easily replaced in Adelaide’s backline. Kyle Cheney has been building but will the Crows recall Andy Otten after just one week back in the SANFL?
Last week — If Port Adelaide beats Richmond, finally a top-eight side, will they be taken seriously by all?
We got our answer without any debate on Saturday night because the Power didn’t beat the Tigers and can’t yet be taken seriously as threat in September. Frustrating for supporters is they didn’t play that badly. The midfield was solid and defence stood up, but the forwards couldn’t put a score on the board. Back to the drawing board they go and next up is West Coast in Perth.