James Mathews sustains suspected ACL injury for Crows in under-23 Showdown loss to Port Adelaide
Darcy Fogarty impressed, Ben Crocker looks to be in Round 1 mix, Trent Burgoyne showed some nice signs, plus a suspected ACL. Here’s our take-outs from the under-23 Showdown.
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A small forward who has been pushing to be the last player to join the Crows list this season has suffered a suspected ACL injury during the under-23 Showdown on Saturday.
James Mathews, who impressed the SANFL finals last year, came off late against Port Adelaide at Thebarton Oval after an aerial contest and Adelaide officials feared the worst post-match.
Mathews had played pretty well to that point of the game, which Port ended up winning 10.15 (75) to (69).
Darcy Fogarty and Ben Crocker impressed, kicking three goals each, Will Hamill showed nice signs across halfback and first-year midfielder Harry Schoenberg found plenty of the ball.
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But Crows coach Heath Younie’s main concern after the game was Mathews, who spent a lot of last season with Great Southern club McLaren, had trained with Adelaide’s main squad this whole summer and Adelaide could have signed him before the supplementary selection period’s March 13 deadline.
Mathews was likely to get scans later on Saturday.
“He’s a terrific young guy that we brought down,” Younie said.
“Let’s pray and hope for Jimmy.”
Port led 7.10 to 2.6 at halftime before the Crows fought back, as Fogarty and Crocker came to the fore, but the Power held on.
Ned McHenry spent the second half of the match on the bench after experiencing tightness through his back and hamstring.
Younie said the Crows were not going to take any risks with the second-year midfielder, whose 2019 season was ruined by back issues.
The coach was pleased with his side’s second-half fightback and the performance of some youngsters, while Port coach Matthew Lokan was also happy with his charges.
Todd Marshall and Dylan Williams booted two goals apiece, while Boyd Woodcock, Tobin Cox and Willem Drew all played well.
Father-son draftee Jackson Mead withdrew before the match and Lokan said he was not being rushed back after his hamstring complaint.
Lokan said Mead – the son of inaugural Power best and fairest Darren Mead – would likely be available for the next pre-season game or SANFL trial.
Riley Grundy sustained a knee knock late on Saturday.
The Advertiser’s other key take-outs from the game were:
■ After a quiet internal trial, Wylie Buzza competed well in the ruck and took several marks in attack during a strong first half.
■ Trent Burgoyne, who missed all of last season with a hamstring injury, showed some good signs playing as a small forward. He kicked a nice roving goal late in the second quarter.
■ Adelaide’s highest ever draft pick Fischer McAsey started on the bench, came on to win a holding the ball free kick after a strong tackle on Dylan Williams then stayed deep in defence in the first half before playing more across halfback.
■ Patrick Wilson continues to show he is ready to step up to the next level if required after another standout performance. Wilson won plenty of the footy and while his ball use was not always on target, he worked really hard and probably would have led the game in disposals.
■ There is a lot to like about Will Hamill. The left-foot half-back flanker uses the ball well, has a bit of zip about him and is a medium size. If Brodie Smith and Wayne Milera move up the ground, an opportunity may present for Hamill.
■ Brad Ebert added some experience through the midfield for Port and wore a helmet again, on the back of his 2019 concussion issues. He was rested for part of the second half.
■ Kyle Hartigan and Jake Kelly were standouts in defence for Adelaide. It was a successful return for Hartigan, who underwent minor ankle surgery in the off-season.
■ Andrew McPherson has had a tough run with injuries since joining Adelaide via the 2017 national draft so it is pleasing to see him back on the park. He featured during the first half then was managed for the second after undertaking extra conditioning work before the match.
■ Crocker did enough to keep himself in the mix for the Crows’ Round 1 clash with Sydney. He did not leave the forward 50 much, splitting time between half-forward and the goalsquare. “I hope so (in Round 1 mix),” Crocker said. “I’ll leave that to the coaches and I’ll keep training and trying to do my best. Even though I’ve only played around that 30-game mark, I feel like coming from Collingwood I’ve got some good experience playing in big games … and hopefully I can utilise that a bit this year.”
■ Lachlan Gollant kicked the game’s first goal and could be one to watch. He is a rangy midfielder at 191cm.
■ Both sides were inaccurate at times and parts of the game were filled with turnovers, but Port’s rebound through the middle of the ground and Adelaide’s sharp ball use looked good, when it came together.