Port Adelaide questioned over decision to trade playmakers Wingard, Polec and Pittard
PORT Adelaide’s decision to trade some of its most talented playmakers and linebreakers has raised eyebrows, with a former employee even questioning the move.
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PORT Adelaide’s decision to trade some of its most talented playmakers and linebreakers has raised eyebrows, with a former employee even questioning the move.
Andrew Rondinelli — the Power’s strength and performance coach for six years from 2010-15 — expressed shock after it was announced that dual All-Australian Chad Wingard had requested a move to Hawthorn.
Wingard’s call came after Port traded left-footed, metre-eaters Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard to North Melbourne.
“Polec, Pittard, Wingard. Wow.’’ tweeted Rondinelli, who now works for NRL club St George Illawarra Dragons.
“3 of the top 5 skill level (players) at the club.’’
While the Power is desperate to move up the order to try to secure the best South Australian 18-year-olds in a top-heavy draft, Port has taken a big punt by moving its playmakers.
The Power — renowned for having a strong-bodied midfield that lacks class — ranked 17th for kicking efficiency last season.
And it does not have an abundance of players whose natural style is to take the game on, like Polec, Wingard and Pittard.
Polec, who could not reject a mega five-year, $3.5 million offer from the Kangaroos, finished fifth in Port’s club champion voting.
His new North Melbourne teammate Shaun Higgins on Friday said he was among the top five wingmen in the competition.
Wingard struggled for form early in the year but ended strongly to finish sixth in the Power’s best and fairest award.
Pittard played just 11 AFL games for the year after battling injury and form issues.
But all three were key playmakers in a team lacking them.
According to Champion Data rankings, Polec ranked as elite for a wingman in metres gained (491) and contested possessions (8.6) and above average in disposals (25.1), uncontested possessions (16.4) and score involvements (5.3).
Wingard ranked as elite for a midfielder/forward for metres gained (368) and above average for disposals (20.8), contested possessions (9.7) and score involvements (6).
Pittard, who polarised Port fans with some horror mistakes in the back half, ranked as above average for metres gained (357) and uncontested possessions (11.9) and average for disposals (16.6) and intercept possessions (4.7).
That’s a lot of attacking play to take out of your line-up.
andrew.capel@news.com.au