Football expert Chris McDermott rates the performances of the Power and Crows players after round nine
Advertiser and Sunday Mail footy expert Chris McDermott rates the Crows and Power player performances from round nine.
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Football expert Chris McDermott rates the Adelaide and Port Adelaide players, out of 10, for their performances in round nine.
CROWS PLAYER RATINGS
Greenwood … 4
Could not lay a glove on Lachie Neale early as the Lions midfielder gave the Crows something to think about with 25 possessions to half time. Just had one of those days where he couldn’t stop Neale and couldn’t get his hands on the ball either.
B Crouch ... 7
Had the ball on a string early and had 10 disposals in the first quarter and continued to work hard in the midfield in the absence of his brother. Outstanding game once again but missed a set shot from inside 50m midway through the last that proved very costly given the one point victory to Brisbane.
Gibbs … 5
Back into the team in style with an early goal courtesy of a gift from Eddie Betts and eight possessions in the opening quarter. Much quieter in the second until just before the main break when he pounced on a loose ball and kicked a quality goal against the run of play. Quiet second half as the pressure on this man continues.
Gallucci … 4
A brief altercation with Mitch Robinson to fire both teams up was the highlight of his first half. Great courage to mark in defence when the pack was coming but still not enough involvement from this man and the pressure builds on him too with injured players about to return.
Kelly … 5
Solid in defence until horror moment in the last term where he dropped an absolute sitter that resulted in a goal to Brisbane and cost the Crows momentum. It was an error in a game they could not afford to make any such errors.
Sloane ... 7
Hands and work in close exceptional from the first bounce and continued as usual all day without the quality impact the team needs from their leader. Kicked a big goal late to give them hope but in this game he was good but not great and he needed to be great.
Talia ... 5
Had the big job on Eric Hipwood and was constantly challenged by the Lions forward only surviving on several occasions courtesy of some poor kicking for goal. Not much ball himself and may have got away with one on this occasion thanks to Hipwood's inaccuracy.
Walker ... 6
Quiet start but still managed a couple of shots on goal but accuracy was a problem until he won a free kick midway through the second term to kick his first before missing another he should have kicked. Finished with three in a game he was serviceable but could have been match winning.
Mackay ... 6
Solid opening and continued his recent ability to get the ball in very good places as he relished a move nto the midfield but did go back for some time on Charlie Cameron and struggled to contain his livewire ex-teammate
Hartigan ... 5
Had the job on dangerous Lions forward Cam Rayner and held him very well until horrific clash with teammate Alex Keath saw him head to the change rooms for treatment and fail to return. His courage levels have risen to even greater heights and his absence was felt.
Brown … 4
Slow to begin this one after his strong form the previous week and while he had minimal damage done to him he did little himself to influence the result.
Betts … 5
Hardly sighted in a very quiet first quarter but nailed a nice snap midway through the second term with his first kick of the day. Fired up in the third with a hand in several goals as the Crows looked to challenge then kicked one late to keep their faint hopes alive before his third on the siren narrowed the end result to just the one point.
Atkins … 5
Lost concentration and gave former Crow Jarrod Lyons too much room close to goal to concede the Lions second major. Had a mixed outing with some nice disposal coupled with some wasted ball in a game where mistakes were costly.
Lynch …7
The game he has been building too and despite strong defensive action against him this man broke free and used the ball as well as any going at an unbelievable 81percent for a forward and playing a role in at least three of the Crows goals.
Laird ... 6
His stats of 24 disposals at 84 percent looks good on paper but this was not one of his better games. Just a fraction off his best form and the Crows need him to find it very quickly.
Smith ... 6
Shared the duties on Charlie Cameron early and kept him quiet despite some time on the bench to check his knee. Much to like about his run and carry in the second half and ended the afternoon with a handy 24 disposals at over 90 percent. That’s better.
Keath … 5
Unobtrusive first half where the in-form defender did his job but struggled for impact then was involved in that horror collision with Hartigan. Despite the pain he remained on the ground for a team-lifting effort that speaks volumes of this man. Bad mistake late when he missed a short past and it cost the Crows a goal and put victory beyond reach.
O'Brien ... 5
Has his hands full in ruck against the two Lions big men and failed to make the impact on this game he has in recent times. His 37 hit outs gave his midfield a good look at the ball at stoppage but the Crows were not able to capitalise and once again he was up against two ruckman and that was one too many.
Murphy ... 6
Lively start and looked the most likely of the Crows small forwards to cause any damage and did so late in the second term with courageous mark and long goal from a sharp angle. Becoming a very reliable hard working member of this team.
Cam Ellis Yolmen … 6
Strong start and did some great bullocking work in close especially at stoppage while keeping a close watch on the dangerous Dayne Zorko. Just dropped off the pace as the game wore on and his physical impact in contested situations lessoned to the Crows detriment.
Himmelberg … 4
Got the first goal of the game then set up the second to Bryce Gibbs with a nice reflex handball in close. Like the way he presents and attacks the ball and has a role to play but with Josh Jenkins kicking six goals in the SANFL. A decision needs to be made if there is room for both of them.
Jones … 5
Returned to the 22 and much to like about his strong attack on the ball at times despite not having a big influence on proceedings. Plenty of moments to suggest this man has a role but it is not in attack at this stage of his career.
POWER PLAYER RATINGS
Powell-Pepper … 6
Very quiet start with just one possession in the first 30 minutes and a disappointing six by half time in a game that should have suited him well but fired up in the third with eight possessions and some important ball wins. I've said it before, a big game is coming for this man and he is well prepared for a massive second half of the season.
Ryder ... 6
Another of the Power’s senior players to start this must win game slowly but found some form in the second term when used in ruck and kicked a goal from outside 40m to put the Power back in front. Tap work was brilliant when needed most and his nine one percenters a great sign of his work rate and he is getting back to the form this team needs.
Motlop … 4
Went without a single kick in the first half in a game he had to play well in to maintain his place in the Power’s best 22. Injured his knee in the third to force him to the bench but returned to earn a free and kick truly to extend the Power’s narrow lead then give one away to Connor Rozee a minute later. A much better finish and perhaps the wheel has turned.
Boak … 8
Won some good ball early but his efficiency was down to just over 50 percent as the rain came down and turned the game into a scrap. Continued to thrive when most others floundered but efficiency remained a problem as he kicked out on the full twice in two minutes when tempting to kick the impossible goal. How can you be critical of a 36 possession game from this great.
Rockliff … 6
Horror mistake when he tried to centre the ball cost the Power and early goal in an arm wrestle opening. Won plenty of ball in a game that suited him well and his 30 possessions and eight clearances were as important as Travis Boak’s possessions.
Frampton … 6
Did exactly what was needed and provided a strong target early to mark and kick truly to register his first and the Power’s first goal but dropped out of it quickly as the rain came down and the Power lost their structure for the next 30 minutes. Made it two goals after a free kick early in the third quarter as heavy rain fell then got his third in the last quarter with a sneaky one off the ground. He’s a keeper.
Clurey …6
Continued his strong defensive work and got his fingers to the ball to save an early goal and held the Power’s back half together as the pressure came. Hardly needed in the second half after a busy first in another very strong defensive effort.
Rozee … 6
Quiet start in the slippery conditions with just two disposals in the opening term but found his groove in the second to make his presence felt as he threatened to have a big impact in this game He did just before three quarter-time with a snap goal from close range to extend the Power’s lead then kicked another late to shut the gate on the hard working Suns.
Duursma … 6
Loved his start to this game in conditions made to suit this hard nut and gathered a very respectable 12 disposals to the main break. Dropped out of the game in the third term before firing up again in the last in another very strong display from the first-year rookie.
Butters ... 5
Returned to the 22 in good form and kicked a settling goal early in the second term to get the Power back in touch. A very good effort in very difficult conditions.
Lycett ... 5
Challenged by Jarrod Witts early and conceded first use too often for the Power’s liking but regained control to win some good ball of his own Worked well in partnership with Ryder and gave his midfielders great servic.
Atley … 5
Much to like about this youngster with his crash-and-bash style well suited in these conditions. Excellent with his hands in close quarters and played his role to perfection.
Howard … 5
The mistakes continued for the Power early with a bad switch across goal from the defender resulted in another goal to the Suns. Worked his way back into the game and backed his judgment to produce 11 one percenters by halftime and a game high 16 total. Had the captaincy duties for the day in a great sign for the future.
Garner ... 5
Much to like from the youngster early on debut with a strong attack on the ball a feature. Given the big job on Suns forward Alex Sexton and did it well intercepting well and showing great faith in his own ability. An outstanding debut and there are many more games in store for this youngster.
Byrne-Jones … 6
Played a different and more offensive role from defence in this one and amassed a dozen possessions most of them uncontested to half time. Ended his afternoon with an excellent 25 possessions and his 10 inside 50s showed clearly the quality of his ball use.
Westhoff … 5.
Busy enough early but dropped out off in the second term in tough conditions for someone of his stature. Continued to work hard for his possessions in a difficult day for the tall veteran.
Houston … 6
Maturing every week and played another very composed, disciplined game. Holds his body over the ball very well at ground level and just as capable in the air with an excellent 10 one percenters.
S. Gray … 8
Busy from the start with some great defensive work to compliment his nice assist to Amon for the Powers third goal of the quarter. Kicked one himself just before half time after some hard gut running from defence to mark deep in attack and he handled the conditions as well as anybody in this game.
Amon …6
Snapped a goal from close range to get underway after a slow start but he was another that found the conditions challenging and the ball hard to get his hands on until a purple patch in the third term That’s more like the quality of game this team needs.
Lienert ... 6
Rebounded well off half back early to set up the Power’s first goal and much to like about the intensity and purpose of his game all day. Maintained a very high standard in a very even performance as he continues to grow a very sound defensive game.
Broadbent … 5
Sluggish at the start as the heat was on from the first bounce but kept persisting and improved the longer the game progressed. His 22 possessions speaks volumes for his effort second game up after a long lay-off and his football smarts are proving very handy to this young defence.
Farrell … 6
This lad can play. Showed great class and composure to jag a first quarter goal in heavy conditions. Kicked his second early in the last when he waved away a pass to Motlop to kick truly from 40m before making it three soon after and put the win beyond doubt.
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