Who are the 10 Crows and Power players to watch when footy resumes
Sport could soon return to SA, meaning there’s finally hope we could see the Crows and Power back on the field. Here’s who to watch when that happens.
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The return of sport to South Australia could be announced soon but while health and sporting authorities have plenty to keep their eyes on, we’ve done our bit to take a look at the top Crows and Power players you should have yours on.
ADELAIDE CROWS’ TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. DARCY FOGARTY
The big forward from Lucindale is a cult hero among Crows fans and the wider AFL community is starting to catch on. After spending most of the year in the SANFL, to the frustration of Adelaide supporters, the ‘Fog’ announced himself on the national stage with a bag of five against the then reigning premier West Coast in Perth. This came from a 100 per cent kicking efficiency and prompted Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd to say Fogarty might just be the best kick in the league. A fine pre-season had Fogarty fitter and slimmer and primed to become the new focal point of the Crows forward line when football returns.
2. TOM DOEDEE
He has only played 21 games for the Crows in the AFL but Doedee is highly rated at the club and among fans both for his on-field performances, seriously impressing in his debut season in 2018, but also for the way he carries himself off the field. In his third year at AFL level, and after his 2019 was ended in the first game when he tore his ACL, Doedee was included in the Crows leadership group. A training setback in March meant Doedee missed out on Round 1 but the time off has given the young defender the chance to build on his fitness and will be in the mix for selection when footy resumes.
3. TAYLOR WALKER
He has given up the captaincy and Crows fans will be hoping this results in Walker getting back to his damaging best after a mixed 2019. When footy gets back Walker will have Tony Modra’s all-time goal kicking record in his sights, he is just 12 majors off the 440 mark, a record that is likely to be broken without fans. Walker will also be one to watch regarding how he gels with Fogarty on the field, after questions were raised as how the two so similar big forwards could coexist in the Crows attack.
4. FISCHER MCASEY
The highest draft pick in Adelaide’s history, Pick No. 6, impressed so much at West Lakes after coming to the club last year he simply could not have been left out of the Crows’ Round 1 side. Despite his tender years his teammates consistently remark just how professional and mature the utility is. Had a tough time on his debut when he ran into a red hot Isaac Heeney in Round 1 but the Crows will back him to bounce back.
5. TYSON STENGLE
Won’t be considered for four matches as part of the sanctions imposed on him when the young forward was caught drink driving over Easter. But before that the 21-year-old was showing that Eddie Betts’ old No. 18 guernsey was in good hands with some solid work in pre-season and an impressive showing in an internal trial game. Adelaide’s forward pressure was constantly criticised last year, if Stengle can put his indiscretion behind him he can address this when he is able to be considered for selection.
6. NED MCHENRY
Is there a more popular player who hasn’t played a senior AFL game? McHenry’s bright and bubbly personality has won him plenty of fans among the Crows faithful. But the small forward is exactly what the Crows need on the field. Tenacious with his tackling and boasting a huge tank, he is a bit of a favourite of Matthew Nicks. Expect to see him at AFL level sooner rather than later.
7. BRYCE GIBBS
The former No. 1 pick was supposed to be the missing piece of the Crows premiership puzzle.
But for all his talent and previous accomplishments in the AFL for Carlton Gibbs has had a mixed career so far upon his homecoming to South Australia as a Crow. He was dropped to the SANFL in 2019 before winning back his place in the Crows senior side. A position change has come upon Nicks being appointed as Crows new coach but did not set the world on fire in this half back role against Sydney.
8. JORDAN GALLUCCI
Split his time between the senior and second side in 2019 and the 15th selection of the 2016 draft received a public rocket earlier this year that his training performances had been “OK” but not great. The half forward has potential but Crows fans will question if he has ever shown it in Adelaide. The enforced break could be just what he needs to catch up and breathe some new life into his career.
9. BEN DAVIS
If this young forward is anything to go as to how he carries himself off the field then he is simply one you cannot take your eyes off. Self proclaimed as “weird” Davis has been the Crow to watch during the enforced season shutdown with his hilarious Tik Tok videos. But he can also play as well, impressing Nicks enough to get a spot against Sydney.
10. CHAYCE JONES
The standout Crow during pre-season, claiming victory in both time trials and putting on some much needed muscle to his frame the Tasmanian didn’t have the game expected against Sydney in Round 1. But the Crows will back the youngster in and a clutch goal against the Swans to get Adelaide back into the match showed why he is so highly rated at West Lakes. Get ready to still see him at centre bounces as the Crows seek to add some more speed to their midfield mix.
– Simeon Thomas-Wilson
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PORT ADELAIDE’S TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. CONNOR ROZEE
Last year’s AFL Rising Star runner-up has been tipped by Crows great Mark Ricciuto to be the AFL’s best player in five years. The South Australian utility cut his teeth as a forward in his debut season in 2019 but wants to establish himself in the midfield this year. His standout performance in the middle against Gold Coast in round one illustrated he is ready to take the next step in his development when football returns.
2. CHARLIE DIXON
Powerhouse key forward enjoyed a superb pre-season after finally shaking off the lingering effects of a badly broken leg which ruined his 2019 campaign. After dominating against Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs in Port’s two pre-season games, Dixon missed round one against the Suns with a groin strain. But he is now fully fit and ready to show why many pundits regard him as the Power’s most important player.
3. OLLIE WINES
Last year’s co-captain was demoted to vice-captain this season as Port went back to its one-captaincy model, preferring Tom Jonas to lead in his own right. Like Dixon, Wines missed round one and was set to be sidelined for about a third of the season following a second consecutive year when he underwent pre-season shoulder surgery – this time from a training accident after last year’s infamous water skiing fall. He is now fit and ready to rumble.
4. ROBBIE GRAY
The 32-year-old football magician enjoyed what coach Ken Hinkley described as his best pre-season after a couple of years where he battled leg injuries and a broken hand, raising expectations on what he could achieve this season. Triple club champion and four-times All-Australian Gray is Port’s best player and is capable of turning a game in the blink of an eye with his brilliance in the midfield and up forward.
5. MITCH GEORGIADES
A surprise first-round draft pick last year, the high-leaping key forward thrilled Port – and the club’s fans – with his standout pre-season and round one performance against the Suns, where he kicked two goals. Georgiades is an excitement machine who plays with no fear, recklessly throwing his 192cm frame into aerial contests. Development coach Chad Cornes has described him as being better at the same age than West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling.
6. ZAK BUTTERS
Livewire small forward/midfielder brings class and great energy to the Power line-up. He is quick, skilful and a tackling machine who his teammates feed off. Butters can be creative around the ball but it is his goal sense and forward tackling pressure that is most important to Hinkley’s team. After playing 19 games in an impressive debut season last year, he is poised to take his game to another level.
7. XAVIER DUURSMA
Port’s bow and arrow man – that’s his trademark celebration after kicking a goal – is one of three 2018 first-round draft picks which the club is building its future around, along with Rozee and Butters. Duursma is a running machine who starts on a wing and patrols one side of the ground for the Power. Averaged 19.6 disposals and kicked 11 goals last season and should be even better with a year’s experience under his belt.
8. STEVEN MOTLOP
Has been largely disappointing since signing a big-money free agency deal to join Port from Geelong at the end of 2017. But he enjoyed an outstanding pre-season and appears headed for his best year in Power colours. An electrifying player at his best, pacy midfielder/forward Motlop kicked two goals and had 15 disposals against the Suns in round one and Hinkley will be looking for more magic from him when play resumes.
9. DAN HOUSTON
One-time defender moved to the midfield midway through 2019 with stunning effect. Houston was so strong in the second half of the year that he finished third in club champion voting and spent the summer training as an onballer. Hinkley views his elite kicking and good decision making as a key ingredient in the club’s new-look midfield after it had trouble finding forward targets in 2019.
10. SAM POWELL-PEPPER
Tough, hard midfielder has been recast as a pressure forward as Port looks to create more forward half turnovers. Powell-Pepper took to the move like a duck to water in the pre-season and round one, terrorising opposition backmen with his power and bull-at-a-gate approach. He had rivals looking over their shoulder in a positional move which could pay big dividends for the Power.
– Andrew Capel