The Lowdown: All the round 10 likes and dislikes from Adelaide and Port Adelaide

Adelaide blew its chances in the third quarter at the MCG – but did the Crows lose that game before it even started? Plus, Ollie Wines’ big admission and all the SA footy likes, dislikes.

Another big week on the field for footy in South Australia ended with more disappointment on it.

The Crows travelled to the MCG and blew their chances to take an important road win against ladder-leading Collingwood, while Port Adelaide succumbed to another drubbing at home.

Simeon Thomas-Wilson dissects it all and names his round 10 likes and dislikes in The Lowdown.

Jake Soligo bounced back into form. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos

LIKES

1. CROWS MIDFIELD

After getting beaten up in the Showdown, the Crows engine room got back to its best against Collingwood. They won the clearances by 10 and perhaps most importantly kept Magpies superstar Nick Daicos to having not much impact on the game – he did have 28 disposals but only had the four score involvements so the Crows could call that a win. Captain Jordan Dawson was influential with 27 disposals, nine marks, eight tackles, three clearances, a goal and 500m gained while Jake Soligo broke out of his mini-funk with a strong second half that yielded 23 disposals and two goals. James Peatling has had a solid last three games with Matt Crouch on the sidelines with injury and does look a lot better with more centre bounce rotations rather than spending time forward.

2. SAM POWELL-PEPPER

There are few positives the Power can take out of what has been a disappointing season overall so far. But the return of Powell-Pepper from his ACL is definitely one of them.

While he conceded it took a bit longer than he wanted to when it came to his body again feeling right after the long-term injury, the Power’s barometer is well and truly back to his bullocking best. He had 23 disposals and two goals against Geelong and maybe could have had more. But the main thing with Powell-Pepper is that you know what you are going to get with him, effort and attack on the footy throughout the game. So it was no surprise to see him thrown in and around the ball in the second half in an attempt to show some fight against a rampant Cats outfit. The Power need more to follow the lead of the leadership group member and fan favourite.

Ollie Wines after the loss to Geelong. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

DISLIKES

1. NOT FIGHTING IT OUT

Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines was as honest as they come in the rooms following Port Adelaide’s heavy loss to Geelong on Saturday. He said the Power players would have do some “soul searching” after getting absolutely smashed by the Cats in the second half. So far this season the Power just haven’t looked like it is willing to fight it out when the going gets tough and the opposition gets a run on or gets out to a decent lead. Sure Port did come back in the Showdown and couldn’t get the win, but if the Power aren’t showing fight in that game then there are even more issues than it appears. The succession plan and whether it is having an impact or not is an easy thing to link to this and is set to be discussed at length this week, but that shouldn’t excuse the lack of fight we have seen too often from the Power this year. The Creed written by the great Fos Williams at Alberton states; “we concede there can be honour in defeat, but to each of us, honourable defeat of our club and guernsey can only come after human endeavour on the playing field is completely exhausted”. How often are the players living up to this in 2025?

2. WRONG MOVE?

The Crows have been going against the crowd this year. When so many teams are going with smaller forward lines to damage their opponents with speed and skill, the Crows have gone with the three-headed-monster of Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker, with Dan Curtin playing as a wing/forward. Walker was subbed out of the loss to Collingwood in the third quarter when conditions got really wet and slippery at the MCG. S, given the Crows knew the rain was going to come on Saturday, should they have gone so tall? Sure, the Pies were missing captain Darcy Moore in their backline, but the Crows could not make this height advantage count with Jeremy Howe, in particular, standing up tall. dominating in the air.

And Collingwood was then able to make the size difference matter on the way rebound, with Josh Daicos killing them off half-back. Now that winter footy is upon us, Matthew Nicks will have more than one big selection call to make.

AND THE LOWDOWN ON...

PORT’S MID-SEASON DRAFT SUCCESS

Port Adelaide defender Logan Evans has signed a new three-year deal at Alberton.

After being looked over in his draft year Evans was picked up by the Power in last year’s mid-season draft and became a near instant success story playing 13 games for Ken Hinkley’s side.

This year the 19-year-old has been more in and out of the side but Power list manager Jason Cripps said Evans would continue to improve.

“Logan has been a great addition to our backline over the last 11 months, and has learned and absorbed plenty of game knowledge since being in the AFL system,” Cripps said.

“His aerial ability and accuracy by foot are solid traits of his game, and he we know he will continue to develop positively at our club.

“Logan’s attitude is excellent, he responds well to feedback, and he’s a hard worker. We are pleased to see Logan remain at Port Adelaide for three more years.”

Logan Evans, left, has re-signed for three years. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Evans came through Norwood’s program before getting his chance to train with the Power at Alberton as part of the SANFL’s rookie program.

At 190cm he can compete well in the air and uses the ball well.

He said he was thrilled to be at Alberton for another three years.

“I’m grateful to Port Adelaide for putting faith in me and giving me an opportunity, and to Norwood for supporting me as a junior,” he said.

“I absolutely love the club, the boys and the coaches at Port and I’ve learned so much in the last few months.

“I just want to keep getting better and doing whatever I can for the team. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this group.”

Originally published as The Lowdown: All the round 10 likes and dislikes from Adelaide and Port Adelaide