Alex Keath takes out Showdown Medal as his evolution as one of most improved players in the league continues

His journey from cricketer to footballer has been one of the best stories of the Crows’ season — now Alex Keath has etched his name in club history after his contribution against the Power.

Alex Keath was awarded the Showdown Medal for Showdown 46. Picture: SARAH REED

• Live blog recap: Crows stave off late Power fightback
• Match centre: All the stats and SuperCoach scores

He’s the former state cricketer and Category B AFL rookie who has become one of the game’s most prolific intercept defenders.

Now Adelaide’s Alex Keath is also a Showdown Medallist after he typified the iron wall defence that has turned the Crows’ season around and led to weekly improvement over the past month.

The whole back six of the Crows stood out on Saturday night: Daniel Talia, Rory Laird, the returning Luke Brown and Brodie Smith all had moments that made it clear why the Power had such a hard time to cash in on their clearances.

Keath finished with 26 disposals, five marks and two touches and not only averted some certain goals but also provided an air of danger because he reads the play so well and can rebound quickly.

He was chuffed as he collected his award, which could have just as easily gone to Rory Sloane, who typified the Showdown spirit with by covering every corner of the ground and taking two huge marks when the Power came at the Crows in the last quarter.

But ultimately it was the backline that stood out for the Crows, and Keath was a crucial cog.

Alex Keath, Showdown Medallist in his 20th AFL game 🏅#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/O8uBsw528q

— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019

That Showdown winning feeling 🙌#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/dVQoQySWTF

— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019

“It was really hard at the end there,” Keath said. “But it’s always a good contest.

“Thanks to the crowd — fantastic atmosphere — and well done to our boys. Solid win.”

Brisbane great Jonathan Brown, who was one of the judges for the medal, spoke highly of Keath.

He said he had been impressed with the defender for some time.

“He’s been sensational behind the ball,” Brown said.

QUARTER BY QUARTER

Q1

POWER 0.2 (2)

CROWS 2.1 (13)

Ryan Burton has been ruled out of the rest of the game with a hamstring injury.#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/I9sOsruRYZ

— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019

IT began as expected: hot with pressure and slippery because of all the rain. It was wet weather football with long kicks up the line and few uncontested marks. Rory Laird was impressive in the back half for the Crows and Adelaide had the ball in its forward line more than the Power. David Mackay kicked the game’s first goal after crumbing in the 18th minute and Rory Sloane the second.

Q2

POWER 2.8 (20)

CROWS 6.5 (41)

Tom Lynch splits two Power defenders with a beauty!#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/lcg5dhsj8A

— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019

The teams are finally starting the mark the ball with Taylor Walker taking a nice contested mark for the Crows and Scott Lycett pulling down one for the Power. Territorial football and long kicking is still king. Adelaide began creating a buffer after a contentious 50m penalty gave Tom Lynch a goal and a free kick was handed one to Lachlan Murphy. Laird and Daniel Talia were outstanding in defence.

Q3

POWER 3.2 (30)

CROWS 10.8 (68)

THE BIG EASY!#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/Db6YOaLetN

— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019

Port Adelaide started the quarter by taking the game on and playing with more urgency and was rewarded with a nice goal from Karl Amon — his first for the year. More of the game was played in Port Adelaide’s forward area and the previously unflappable Crows defenders were under some pressure. But the Crows steadied and a tackle and the ensuing goal from Elliott Himmelberg was a highlight as they pulled away again.

Q4

POWER 9.14 (68)

CROWS 13.10 (88)

Hugh Greenwood takes a hanger, but probably wishes he could have this kick again!#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/1q32jXQp5x

— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019

Another front-half turnover led to another Tom Lynch goal to open the quarter and the sting was starting to come out of the game. Rory Sloane continued to run, tackle and create tirelessly when there was a fair bit of fatigue creeping into the game. Port came at the Crows in an unexpected run and banged on five in a row with Dougal Howard shifted forward. But the Crows slowed it down before Walker delivered the knock-out blow before Riley Knight sealed it.