The Lowdown: All the likes and dislikes from the Crows and the Power
The Power courted Jordan Dawson before he chose the Crows, but they may have found their own version in Miles Bergman. And in a down year, his re-signing is a shining light.
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Both South Australian clubs proved far too strong for their opponents in round 16.
Port Adelaide bounced back from its loss to Sydney with a 50-point home win over Carlton, while the Crows made light work of Richmond at the MCG, prevailing by 68.
Here are our likes and dislikes from the weekend.
LIKES
1. PORT ADELAIDE’S JORDAN DAWSON?
The Power courted and missed out on Dawson in 2021 when he requested a trade from Sydney back home to South Australia.
In Miles Bergman, the Power have its own Dawson-like player and his expected re-signing will be a massive boost for the club.
There’s plenty of similarities between the two.
Basically the same height (Bergman is 189cm, Dawson is 191cm), both super versatile, starting as defenders and wingmen then shifting to the midfield from the year they turn 24.
Dawson is a better kick, looks smooth and is a left-footer.
Bergman is more athletic, explosive and kicks with his right.
Both can be extremely damaging forward of centre.
After copping criticism the week before, Bergman responded in style against Carlton as he tagged Blues captain Patrick Cripps out of the game and had 25 disposals, two goals, eight marks, five tackles and 463m gained on Thursday night.
He also earned six coaches votes.
Ken Hinkley said post-game that Bergman’s potential was still “untapped”, which was an exciting proposition.
2. HUGH JACKSON
It might have been a breakout game for the Power youngster.
It also might go a long way to him getting a new contract.
The North Adelaide product has finally tasted AFL action this year after having a rough run with injuries since he was drafted in 2021.
Returning to the side to take on the Blues in what was his fourth AFL match, Jackson impressed in a forward/midfield role with 17 possessions and four inside 50s.
Out of contract at the end of this season, performances like this are massive for Jackson.
The finals flame is still flickering for the Power, but it is also going to have to find out a fair bit about some of its young players.
Jackson is one of them.
“It was good to see him get his hands on the ball early – I’m just so happy for him,” defender Esava Ratugolea said.
“He’s been doing it tough the last few years with injury and selection.
“I think the more games he gets, the more comfortable he gets. I can see him playing out the season.”
3. DAN CURTIN BLOSSOMING
It was not long ago Crows fans would have been wondering where Curtin’s future would be. Now they must be thinking ‘just how good can he become?’
At 20 years old and with only 22 games under his belt, Curtin – the club’s top draft selection in 2023 – is emerging as a star in the making.
And he is doing so with a contract at the Crows until the end of 2029 after signing a three-year contract extension last week.
Off the back of his new deal, Curtin recorded career-highs in disposals (26) and inside 50s (seven) in a brilliant performance against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
He also had 11 score involvements, eight intercept possessions, 495 metres gained and kicked two goals.
The left-footer has been building nicely during the season, playing forward, back and on a wing, where his 197cm frame and marking prowess have troubled smaller opponents.
Long linked with an eventual return home to Western Australia, where the two clubs would be closely tracking his progress, Curtin was now repaying Adelaide for trading up the order to nab him at pick eight two years ago.
DISLIKES
TOM LYNCH’S STRIKE
1. Given the impressive performances of our local clubs, our criticism has to go to Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch’s hit on Adelaide’s Jordon Butts.
The old-school whack was a terrible look for the game, one rarely seen since the Barry Hall and Andrew Gaff strikes in years gone by.
A tribunal ban starting at five games would be more than justified for Lynch because of the damage he could have caused to Butts, as well as his suspension history.
THE LOWDOWN ON …
We have mentioned Dawson, Bergman and Curtin’s versatility, so we need to acknowledge Max Michalanney’s.
A stingy, ultra-reliable defender for the Crows over three years, Michalanney added another string to his bow on Sunday by playing in attack and kicking three goals, including the match’s first.
The father-son recruit initiated the positional move, aimed at limiting Richmond triple premiership defender Nick Vlastuin.
It certainly worked.
Vlastuin finished with only five more disposals (15) than Michalanney (10) and the Crow was able to make the most of his goal opportunities.
Michalanney also had seven score involvements.
It is not the first time we have seen the backman in another position.
Last year, he had two midfield stints – against Hawthorn and Sydney, tagging Swans star Chad Warner in the latter match.
Still only 21, Michalanney has plenty of improvement left in him, perhaps not as a full-time defender.
Either way, it was a coaching masterstroke and a great ace for Adelaide to have up its sleeve in its charge towards a finals berth.
Originally published as The Lowdown: All the likes and dislikes from the Crows and the Power
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