Willem Drew, Josh Jenkins impressed in SANFL Showdown, but was it enough to earn an AFL recall?

After Adelaide’s 16-point defeat of rivals Port Adelaide in the weekend’s SANFL Showdown, the question is who will be pushing for an AFL recall?

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Playing an AFL Showdown at Adelaide Oval one week, the SANFL Showdown at Alberton the next.

It was the tale of two weeks for Port Adelaide youngster Willem Drew after he was dropped by the Power last weekend, told by senior coach Ken Hinkley to find some form in reserves.

And as Hinkley looked on from the balcony of the Allan Scott Headquarters on Saturday afternoon, Drew put on a show as he collected 32 disposals, took four marks, had 12 clearances and laid five tackles in the Magpies’ 16-point defeat at the hands of Adelaide.

After the game, the 20-year-old midfielder who has played eight senior games this season after debuting for the Power in Round One, was philosophical about his AFL recall.

“I got told by Ken to come back and find some form, and I just wanted to come out today and play some good footy with the team, and unfortunately we didn’t get the win, which was disappointing, but personally I thought I did all right,” he said.

“I thought my contest stuff was all right and my workrate, but disposal efficiency (72 per cent) and probably reaction speed to defend was probably a bit down.

“I’ll go through the vision during the week with coaches, and review the game.”

Port Adelaide’s Willem Drew tackles Crow Lachlan Sholl during the Magpies 16-point loss to Adelaide at Alberton Oval. PHOTO AAP Image/Russell Millard

Magpies coach Matthew Lokan agreed Drew had a good game, alongside Jack Trengove (38 disposals, game-high nine tackles) and former Fremantle utility Cam Sutcliffe.

“We were able to play nine of our contracted guys (on Saturday),” Lokan said.

“We’ve obviously got a few injuries, and had a few guys out, so to be able to play nine guys and still deliver a solid effort was pleasing.”

Another player aiming for a top-level recall will be Crows key forward Josh Jenkins who put on a best-on-ground performance booting six goals in Adelaide’s win.

Adelaide coach Heath Younie praised Jenkins’ game, pivotal in the side’s win.

“I thought he’d been building for the last month and he obviously hadn’t been playing to a level that he would have liked,” Younie said.

“He was able to have a week off last week and get some things sorted physically, I thought he was a strong contributor, I thought he was outstanding.

Adelaide’s Josh Jenkins celebrates one of his six goals with teammate Andy Otten during his side’s 16-point win over Port Adelaide in the SANFL Showdown. But did he do enough to earn himself an AFL recall? PHOTO: AAP Image/Russell Millard

“I thought he moved strongly and got rewarded for his effort with six goals, the most important thing for me is competition ahead of the ball and he was a really strong contributor and played back at the level that we expect.”

But Younie couldn’t predict whether that effort would be rewarded with an AFL recall.

“That will be up to match committee during the week, but it’s always nice when you have a win that you’re able to go to match committee and put a few names up on the board for them and we’ll work that out as the week goes on,” he said.

Other Crows who could find their names in front of the match committee include Richard Douglas and Paul Seedsman who have both returned from injury and Riley Knight who was solid with 19 touches, six marks and a team-high seven tackles.