The Lowdown: All the likes and dislikes from Round 9

Crows fans were filthy that ‘Thilthy’ wasn’t crowned Showdown medallist on Saturday night, but Simeon Thomas-Wilson said he needed to do more. See that – plus the rest of his likes and dislikes – in The Lowdown.

Showdown week is one of the biggest footy weeks on the South Australian footy calendar behind Gather Round. Simeon Thomas-Wilson runs through his likes and dislikes from a thrilling match.

LIKES

1. ‘THRILL-THORPE’

If the Showdown Medal was for the first half then Riley Thilthorpe would have probably had a clean sweep of the votes. But for all those saying he was stiff to miss out on the individual award, the 22-year-old just needed more than a goal, three disposals, a mark and a tackle in the second half. Even one more goal would have probably tipped the scales in his favour.

Riley Thilthorpe was overlooked for the Showdown medal. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

But this shouldn’t take away just how impressive he was and just what a weapon the Crows now have in their forward line. Aliir Aliir is an All-Australian defender and arguably could have had another blazer and Thilthorpe absolutely dominated him in that first half. He passed his career high for marks in the first half and ended up with 10 for the match, with five of them contested. The Showdown is the stage for big players and Thilthorpe is becoming a big, big player for the Crows.

2. JEREMY FINLAYSON

He nearly won it for Port Adelaide and perhaps should have after ending up with 3.2. But what he did show was that when he is really up and running as a forward/ruck he can be extremely damaging. And it must be infuriating for Port Adelaide fans sometimes that he isn’t at this level more often.

Jeremy Finlayson celebrates kicking one of his three goals. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Because all the talent is there as evident by that goal late on to bring the margin back to four-points with that kick that created something out of nothing. But as we have found out for Finlayson consistency is the issue. So how does the Power find a way to get this Finlayson that looked like he could be a matchwinner emerging in a game more often than not?

3. THE BIG MOMENTS

In a game that tough and that tight, it’s all about those moments that end up being big.

And the Crows just had too many stand up and win those moments than the Power and that’s why they were able to claim the win despite it not being a champagne performance. You immediately think of Mark Keane’s clutch mark going back with the flight of the ball, or then Reilly O’Brien clunking the next time Port entered its forward 50.

Mark Keane takes match saving mark close

But don’t underestimate the moment late on in the second term where Mitch Georgiades thought he was away with nothing but the goal in his sights but was mowed down by Josh Worrell to save what could have been a vital goal.

DISLIKES

1. PORT’S TURNOVERS

The Power smashed the Crows in clearances and inside 50 but shot itself in the foot on too many occasions with its turnovers. And it was Port’s leaders that did this. Willem Drew wasn’t punished after his kick failed to reach Sam Powell-Pepper and was intercepted by James Peatling in the first quarter. A minute later Ollie Wines’ turnover was actually capitalised on by the Crows through Thilthorpe. Connor Rozee saved a goal and then gave one away in that almost bizarre 45 seconds for the Power skipper in the second term.

Connor Rozee and Alex Neal-Bullen grapple. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

And probably the one that hurt the most was when the Power was on its third-quarter roll and was nine-points up with less than 10 minutes to go Aliir took an intercept mark and then immediately tried to bite off a tough kick through the corridor. Cumming intercepted and eventually the Crows were able to work it to Thilthorpe for a goal. That might have been the turning point.

2. CROWS CLEARANCES

It was a great sign for the Crows that they were able to win the clash, but is there concern at just how smashed they were in the midfield? The Power absolutely torched the Crows in the middle of the ground and in the third quarter Port looked like it was about to take the game away from Adelaide. But the Power just weren’t able to take its chances to make this count on the scoreboard, the most important stat of all. Other teams might not pass up the opportunity and the Crows will have to be tighter through the middle against Collingwood at the MCG this weekend.

Jordan Dawson competes with Miles Bergman. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

AND THE LOWDOWN ON …

Miles Bergman finally got his stint as a full-time midfielder on Saturday night, albeit part of a plan to tag Jordan Dawson. Despite pretty much playing as a defender for his AFL career there was a video at the start of the year for one of the Power’s community programs where Bergman introduces himself as a midfielder. It might have been wishful thinking there but Bergman showed enough in the Showdown that it could be an option for the Power this year.

Originally published as The Lowdown: All the likes and dislikes from Round 9