Power, Crows player ratings and fast fives for Round 17

Adelaide displayed the form in its win against Geelong which propelled it to the competition’s elite last season while Port Adelaide continued to show the inconsistency which has been its Achilles heel all season, writes Chris McDermott. See his fast fives and player ratings for Round 17

Port Adelaide’s Patrick Ryder handballs bewteen two Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty

Adelaide showed signs that making the finals is more than a pipe dream while Port Adelaide missed a golden opportunity to lock its place in the AFL’s top four, writes Chris McDermott. See his fast fives and player ratings for Round 17.

POWER FAST FIVE

1. The Power did not reward themself for their hard work in the first quarter. They had 130 possessions to just 83, won contested possession 55 – 29, topped the clearances 20-4, but only kicked two goals and led by just nine points. If a team diminates the game it must show on the scoreboard.. Fremantle was good enough to make them pay a very heavy price.

2. Down goes Paddy. Paddy Ryder appeared to injure his hip and his day was over before half-time. Has the Power’s 2018 season just taken a hit it cannot recover from? This game could be the moment that cost the Power a shot at the title.

3. Robbie Gray was next. His day ended early in the third quarter after a slam-tackle from Fremantle’s Ryan Nyhuis. Gray was knocked out cold and tempers flared. This one will play out at the tribunal and a suspension is pending but the impact on the Power was be much greater. Top spot was up for grabs but how fortunes can change so quickly . GWS are next and suddenly the Power are on shaky ground.

4. Jared Polec continued his outstanding form in his 100th game. In challenging conditions and in a game where the Power were struggling, Polec’s work-rate was outstanding. He had 26 possessions, four rebounds from the defensive 50, three inside 50’s and two goal assists. Unfortunately he didn’t have enough help.

5. What a weekend it was for the top eightcontenders. Port Adelaide was not the only club to suffer. Top side Richmond went down to GWS, Geelong lost to the Crows, Hawthorn went down to Brisbane and of course Fremantle beat Port. It suggests this season is far from over.

Power’s Ollie Wines handballs against Fremantle at Optus Stadium. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty.

POWER PLAYER RATINGS

Boak

No trouble finding the ball but his efficiency let him down at important times. Made up for it when it mattered most and kicked a big goal late in the game to cut the Dockers lead to just eight points. 5

Powell-Pepper

Straight into the action with a couple of contested-ball wins but was forced onto Lachie Neale to quieten his influence as injuries struck. Bobbed up to kick a much-needed goal late in the third quarter cutting the Dockers lead to four points. It was another good game in a very strong season from the youngster. 7

Ryder

Injured his hip midway thru the second quarter and forced from the ground and out of the game. He would be sorely missed and the game changed significantly from this moment. A strength became a weakness and the lack of a second ruckman hurt Port. 3

Motlop

Quiet for much of this one after his sensational form last round. Conditions didn’t suit and just 11 disposals to three-quarter time and no scoreboard impact at all. Last quarter was by far his best but it was too little and too late. 5

Ebert

Solid but not enough quality ball from the veteran to make any impact. Took a strong mark in the pocket late to narrow the margin to eight points but butchered the kick badly and did not score in a game to forget. 5.

R. Gray

Wasn’t having a big day but a heavy slam tackle ended his afternoon when he was knocked unconscious. Looks certain to be miss\ at last another week as the Power’s top four chances took an equally big hit. 3

Rockliff

Had the ball on a string in the first term gathering 10 possessions but it dried quickly. Sent to the goal square at the start of the final quarter to try and provide an avenue to goal but could not get hold of the football in the right places. 5

Wines

Started well with six early possessions and one of just a handful of Power players to stay in the game all day. The tight in-close contest suited him perfectly and it was just his efficiency that let him down. 7

Clurey

Brilliant game in defence and arguably the Power’s best player in the first half, repelling attack after attack. Gave away a soft free kick in the last quarter that cost the Power a goal they could not afford. 6

Wingard

Sensational goal from deep in the pocket to get the Power’s first goal of the game then kicked an even better one midway through the last to narrow the margin to just 10 points. Much to like about the improvement in his game in recent weeks but he still has another level. 6

Polec

In game 100, he won enough ball but a couple of mistakes stood out especially kick-in from a behind whioch ultimately cost the Power a goal. His work-rate was as good as any and never stopped running but his efficiency was not at its best. 6

Dixon

Begun well without hitting the scoreboard but he was another impacted by the lack of ball inside the forward 50. Forced into the ruck in the absence of Ryder and while his competitiveness was a help his absence in attack was noted. 4

Watts

What he did was good but just not enough. He missed an important shot on goal to give the Dockers the advantage. None used the ball as well as this man he just needed a bit more of it. 5

Howard

Looked good in the back half but had his hands full with the Dockers’ talls and found it more difficult to make his presence felt as the game progressed. Regardless, he was still the best of the Power’s defenders in the air with another 14 one-percenters. 5

Byrne-Jones

Strong game in defence as he starts to string a few good games together. Defensively sound but did drop in and out of the game for long periods. 5

Westhoff

Thrown into the ruck when Ryder went down and another more than serviceable game in a range of roles for the veteran. Good but not great. 5

Houston

Continued his great form and held up well in defence marking the dangerous Michael Walters. Rebounded, defended and tackle well in an efficient game. 6

Thomas

Not favoured by the slippery conditions or the lack of ball inside the Power’s forward 50m and struggled to make an impact. Did not use the ball with his regular efficiency. 4

Bonner

Hobbled from the ground midwaythrough the third term as the Power injury woes continued and while he courageously returned to action he never looked comfortable and could not get involved. 4

Hombsch

Hasn’t been easy for him coming in and out of the side and looked off the pace in this game. Didn’t do much wrong but didn’t do enough right to guarantee his place for the future. 4

Amon

Won some ball but his kicking was poor. The positive was it didn’t appear to affect him and he battled hard throughout the entire game. Not great but could have been much better if ball use was better. 4

S. Gray

Quiet for much of the game but finally broke the Power’s goal drought with long bomb from 50m midway through the third term to put them back in front.. 4

CROWS FAST FIVE

1. It was all eyes on Rory Sloane after the vice-captain put pen to paper on his new five-year contract to stay a Crow for life. He did not disappoint and the crowd cheered every single possession. After a season of turmoil, it was exactly what the club needed and came on the back of Richard Douglas and Tom Lynch signing.

2. Trouble, Taylor, trouble. Walker’s collision with Cats defender Zach Tuohy looked head-high and we know what that means. The captain wanted to make his presence felt and he did but his judgment was slightly off. Sometimes it’s an act well worth the penalty. This one was. A captain’s act that will be acknowledged behind closed doors.

3. Not since round seven have the Crows kicked over 100 points. Tom Lynch back in form, plus great contributions from Walker, Jenkins and Betts and suddenly the team we remember reappeared — not quite at its best but much closer to it than anything we have seen recently.

4. Smashed at stoppage, beaten at contested possession and out-tackled but the Crows still won despite losing all three key areas. Emotion, passion and freedom counts for something. This was a player-driven victory that those who sit in the coaches box must understand.

5. The handbrake was off. Certainly the Crows played with less structure than in previous weeks, maybe all season. There was ball movement reminiscent of 2017 for the first time. It was great to see and very effective as the scoreboard showed. Only some poor execution at goal cost them what could have and should have been a much bigger win.

Crows Josh Jenkins gets his handpass out from Geelong’s Zach Tuohy. Picture SARAH REED

CROWS PLAYER RATINGS

Greenwood

Had some good moments but his numbers were well down on his average. He still played an important role and made a solid contribution to the victory. 5

Knight

Not a heap of footy in his return but some of his contested work was excellent. Still one of the hardest workers. 5

Jenkins

Marked well above his head early but surprisingly let down by his kicking for goal. Finally got on the scoreboard after a mark and goal from 30m out then kicked a second in a similar shot a few minutes later. 5

M. Crouch

Had Scott Selwood as his minder but his work-rate and ability to find the ball proved too difficult for Selwood to contain. Didn’t get his regular value from his touches but always close by when needed. 6

Gibbs

Quiet start but worked his way into the game in a new role similar to the one Travis Boak plays at the Power. A different game from the one we have become accustomed but played a selfless role in this win. 6

Gallucci

Kicked the Crows first of the night after a sensational assist from Betts then kicked a second in the third quarter as the Crows threatened to take control. Stepped up at just the right time in a significant game in this youngsters career. 5

Kelly

Sound defensive game and used every one of his 17 disposals to great effect going at 94 percent efficiency . 5

Sloane

Started well after a big week off the track with the Adelaide Oval crowd cheering on every possession. Big goal from 50m put the Crows five points in front as the crowd erupted. The perfect end to a perfect week for the Crows’ favourite son. 8

Seedsman

Busy start with some quality run but dropped out of it quickly and found it hard to regain any consistency in this game. Like several of his team mates, it was a different type of game from him but an important one. 5

Walker

Laid a heavy bump on Cats defender Zach Touhy that has put him on the sidelines for a week. Returned to the ground after some time on the bench to have a hand in the Crows sixth goal and kicked one himself to put the victory in safe hands. 5

Hartigan

Conceded an early goal in a tough match-up on an in-form Tom Hawkins and had his hands full all night trying to contain the Cats’ big man. Tried hard but for once he had his colours lowered. 4

Brown

Jagged a nice goal against the run of play to keep the Crows within reach after a strong start from Geelong. Possessions relatively low but made his normal solid contribution. 5

Betts

Brilliant assist off the ground gave Gallucci his first goal and then got one himself after a mark on the goal line. Very closely checked all game and as a result found it difficult to make his regular impact. 5

Atkins

Strong start including a classy snap on his left foot and plenty of possessions in an outstanding return to the form. Won a good mix of contested and uncontested possessions and his pace and ability to get out of trouble was a feature. 7

Jacobs

Got his hand to the ball well at stoppage but the Crows were smashed at ground level for much of this game losing clearances 27-54. Might just be showing signs of fatigue and must be given some help soon. 5

Cheney

Unobtrusive as always but did win some useful possessions none more than his intercept mark late in the last term to repel another Cats forward thrust. Spend much of the night on Troy Menzel and held him to just six possessions and a goal. 6

Lynch

Couple of second quarter goals gave the Crows a narrow lead at the main break. Kicked his third in the third quarter and his fourth goal early in the last quarter to give the Crows an unbeatable lead and after a tough return to the team last week, he was back to his brilliant best. 8

Laird

He had 22 disposals and the ball on a string again in another strong performance from the potential All Australian. Ended his night with a career high 43 disposals at 86 percent and 12 intercepts in an A-Grade game by anyone’s standards. 8

Milera

Back to his free running role across halfback and and gave the Crows a genuine spark in a role he must play for the remainder of the season. 7

Doedee

A rare quiet game from the young defender despite his 20 possessions. Little of the desperate defense and one percenters of his previous weeks. 5

Murphy

Got on the scoreboard after a strong tackle in the opening term then bobbed up for another as the game developed into a shootout. Finished his night with three goals in some of the best minutes of his brief career. 6

Keath

Rolled on and off a range of Geelong forwards and did his job well despite giving away and early goal. His pace, balance and poise were important late in this game. 5