It's been a tough start to the year at Port Adelaide, and for the midfield, injury interruptions and battles to replicate their 2014 formline against some of the best clubs in the AFL has been a challenge.
For Midfield coach Josh Carr and development coach Jacob Surjan - both working with midfield manager Michael Voss - the theme for Port's engine room is undoubtedly one of consistency.
HOCKING: SANFL mid-year review
portadelaidefc.com.au sat down with Carr and Surjan to get their thoughts on the midfielders for this year - Carr rating those to have played seven or more AFL games in the first half of the year, and Surjan those who'd spent the first half of the season playing mainly in the SANFL.
1. Travis Boak
Finding himself tagged more often, Boak has been able to lead his team well again in 2015 [pic: AFL Photos]
Boak has been solid this year, although finding himself tagged more often has meant he's had to lift his work rate to overcome opposition stoppers. He's been one of Port's most important midfielders, again this year, and works hard to keep - or get - Port into the game. His leadership quality remains one of the best in the comp.
"Travis does not stop working hard and continues to demand elite habits of himself and his teammates as skipper. He is setting himself for a consistent second half of the year." – Josh Carr
2. Kane Mitchell
Kane Mitchell has been one of the Magpies' regular best players and was recalled to the AFL side against Carlton [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
Mitchell is one player who fits into a group of primary SANFL and fringe AFL players. His running and ability to work into the right spaces has improved this year, but like many, his execution will be a particular area of focus for the second half of the year. Helped win Port the Round 3 game against North Melbourne, and starred against West Adelaide in the SANFL.
"Kane has had a great start to the season with the Magpies. He has shown great improvement in his body work at stoppage and using his running ability on the outside, which is a real weapon of his. We’re looking for Kane to keep improving in the second half of the season." – Jacob Surjan
4. Patrick Ryder
Ryder's start to life at Alberton has been interrupted by an Achilles injury. [pic: AFL Photos]
It's been a tough initiation for Ryder at Alberton. Settling into the Port midfield, he kicked a couple against Sydney and has provided a target when playing forward. An Achilles injury has kept him out of a month of footy though, and he'll be making up for lost time when he returns against the Swans in Round 14.
"It has been an injury-interrupted first half of the year for Paddy. He is focused on getting himself out on the ground for the second part of the year and having an impact." – Josh Carr
7. Brad Ebert
Before a poor run against Carlton, Ebert was enjoying a very consistent season [pic: AFL Photos]
Ebert started the season very well - often one of Port's better mids playing as a flexible midfielder capable of playing inside and outside roles. His last few weeks have been a little below his personal high standards, but certainly remains among Port's best players. He'll want to leave his poor show against Carlton in the first half of the season.
"Brad always displays great work ethic and consistency. He has given the team great flexibility in the first half of the year by playing a number of roles. Brad needs to keep building on his first half of the season and finish strongly." – Josh Carr
8. Hamish Hartlett
Hartlett has had a difficult start to the year and is hunting a big finish to 2015 [pic: AFL Photos]
Hartlett has battled in parts and been blue collar and workmanlike in others. His ability to mount pressure on nearby opponents is among the best of the Power, he's the team's No. 1 tackler, but he's been nowhere near as consistent as he'd like to be.
"Hamish is one of our barometers. When he plays well, the team plays well. His disposal at times has let him down for his standards. This is a big focus in the back half of the year for him." – Josh Carr
9. Robbie Gray
Gray has been in hot form again this year as one of the Power's most consistent mids [pic: AFL Photos]
Has Robbie been better again this year? Arguably yes. He's tough to catch, tough to hold, a master at clearance and one of the Power's most important players. His consistency has been practically unfaltering from last year and he's shaping for a second best and fairest medal if he can maintain it.
"Robbie has been very good as our best clearance player this year. We need to Robbie to maintain his form and keep bringing his teammates into the game." – Josh Carr
15. Karl Amon
Amon's long-awaited debut against Brisbane came before an injury in the last few weeks. [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
Amon is working hard to cement a place in the AFL team, in the meantime the work he's been able to produce in the SANFL has been exciting. His run with the footy and evasiveness is a class above, but the challenge for him will be learning how to go a step further on the AFL stage.
"Been excited with Karl’s progression this season. He had a good pre-season which gave him a great base that he’s carried into this year. Was rewarded with his first AFL game this season after playing good, consistent football." – Jacob Surjan
16. Ollie Wines
Wines is working to produce his best form again after suffering a dislocated wrist against North [pic: AFL Photos]
Wines has been good again this early part of the year, working hard inside the play and providing that hard play footy pundits are coming to expect. Unfortunately, a dislocated wrist has hampered his year - keeping him out of a third of the season so far. He's shown glimpses of his best, hopefully that means it's not too far away.
"Ollie’s first half of the season was interrupted with a dislocated wrist. His inside grunt is important to the team. He will be looking to build on his last few weeks and be our ‘bull’ inside the contest." – Josh Carr
19. Matt White
Matt White has had patches of brilliance but will spend time away in injury rehab [pic: AFL Photos]
White's first half of the year has been up and down, with a couple of quiet early efforts followed by some explosive running games. He'll be out of action for a few weeks though, after injuring his hamstring against the Cats.
"Whitey’s first half of the year has been like the team’s - a little inconsistent. Unfortunately he has a hamstring injury that will keep him away for a few weeks and needs to focus on getting fit for the back end of the year." – Josh Carr
21. Jared Polec
Polec's has spent most of the season in rehab for a navicular injury [pic: AFL Photos]
Polec's foot has thrown a spanner in the works of what looked a chance to be a big year for the outside midfielder. His early games were top notch, but since the Round 5 Showdown he's been on hiatus. A disappointing year for one of the club's most important players.
"His year has been tough with his foot injury coming on early. We have missed his run-and-carry. We hope to have him back soon but we will have to wait and see." – Josh Carr
23. Matthew Lobbe
Lobbe has battled this season and has been forced to hold sole ruck duties in the absence of Ryder [pic: AFL Photos]
Matt Lobbe hasn't reached the level of influence and form he did last year. Occasionally battling two opposition rucks, he needs to gel with Paddy Ryder, but they've had limited game time to do that - just five games in fact, when you consider the former Essendon ruck was out of the NAB Challenge too - he'll be working hard to get back to his PB.
"Missed the first few games of the year. He is a very good leader and continues to push the group with his work ethic. Lobbes will be working to gain some consistency in the second half of the year." – Josh Carr
26. Andrew Moore
Injury and suspension has again limited Moore, who played his first AFL game for 2015 against Carlton [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
Moore is Mr Unlucky. He was rubbed out for three matches for umpire contact just when he was hitting his stride. Working his way back for Round 12 against Carlton, Moore's has been a story of persistence. Continually having an influence at SANFL level, he's been building a base to relaunch his season after a challenging 2014.
"Andrew started the season well, then missed a few weeks with suspension. Has shown good consistency in the last month and was rewarded with AFL selection last week. We look forward to a big second half of the season from him." – Jacob Surjan
34. Jarrad Redden
Having played in the AFL at the start of the year, Redden has become an important part of the Magpies' success this season [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
After playing the first two games of the season, Redden has found himself adjusting to life in the SANFL. He's been a top shelf ruck for the Magpies though. It's good to see him actually playing footy after overcoming huge injury setbacks.
"Reddo has been a great story of persistence after having a long lay-off with his knee injury. His form in the SANFL has been good and he is taking a greater leadership role within the midfield group." – Jacob Surjan
38. Billy Frampton
Frampton overcame shin injuries to debut in the SANFL in June [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
Bill Frampton could have cult figure written all over him. The big teen from West Australia has the locks, the legs and - judging by his first few games - a lot of promise. Kicking goals when up forward and learning to take the ruck alongside Redden, Frampton coming into the Magpies has freed up Mitch Harvey to go upfield and focus on being a key forward.
"I’ve liked what I have seen in the past few weeks from Billy. He’s still learning the game and his craft as a ruckman, but he has big upside in his game. He brings real aggression to our group which we all like." – Jacob Surjan
41. Brendon Ah Chee
Ah Chee has been one of Port Adelaide's fringe AFL players all season and is working hard for a permanent place in the Power line-up [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
Speaking of cult figures, it seems that there's plenty of emotional currency in Brendon Ah Chee. The nice guy of the Magpies has moved into the Power as a hard working sub. His big body is his asset, and his guts and determination for contested footy critical to his future. Just needs to keep pushing his claim for more AFL game time.
"Great start to the season and he was rewarded with his first AFL game, which he was made to work for. He has improved his running capacity which has given him confidence to play more in the midfield." – Jacob Surjan
