THERE were again plenty of new faces in the Power's line-up to face Richmond on Sunday.
Here, portadelaidefc.com.au has a look at each of these new faces (plus Riley Bonner having only played one game!)...
Joe Atley (14 disposals, 7 contested, 4 clearances, 3 tackles, 1.1)
The standout of the younger crop of players. Atley was quiet in the first half, but was one of the Power’s best after half time, mixing his time between half forward and the midfield. Used the ball well when in midfield and stood up well to the big bodied Richmond midfielders. Led up well when playing forward and kicked a nice goal.
PTV: Atley highlights v Richmond
Sam Powell-Pepper (13 disposals, 8 contested, 8 tackles, 3 score assists)
As he did against the Saints, Powell-Pepper showed why he was drafted – he used his physicality well and was involved in some of the Power’s best passages of play. His tackling was impressive, his disposal by hand in close was clean and he impacted the game. His fend-off and handball to Jarman Impey in the first quarter was a highlight.
PTV: Powell-Pepper highlights v Richmond
Willem Drew (3 disposals, 3 tackles, 67% efficiency)
Spent the first half on the bench. Came on and played a mix of midfield and defence. Took time to find his feet but was involved in some nice pieces of play. Drew will benefit greatly from the run at that level.
Brett Eddy (7 disposals, 3 marks, 1 score assist, 1.2)
Blustery conditions made it difficult for the ball to move quickly into attack. But Eddy again presented well, leading strongly and taking several good grabs. His kicking boots let him down early with a couple of narrow misses from long range, but he finally kicked his first goal in Power colours from deep in the pocket and into a swirly breeze. Continues to show his football smarts and is in real contention for Round 1.
Dan Houston (15 disposals, 93% efficiency, 164 metres gained, 5 rebound 50s)
A quiet first half but worked his way into the game nicely after half time. Again looked very clean by foot and composed under pressure by hand. Houston is a bolter for one of the two rookie upgrades on offer, but will face stiff competition from Brett Eddy and Will Snelling.
Lade: Houston a Round 1 bolter
Riley Bonner (11 disposals, 205 metres gained, 3 rebound 50s)
Like last week against the Saints, Bonner again attempted to take the game on. He was afforded far less time and space and as a result, his disposal wasn’t as clean. Given he’s played just one AFL game, there is still plenty to like about Bonner.
Aidyn Johnson (4 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 score assist)
Johnson drifted in and out of the game, but showed his elite speed again in several eye-catching pieces of play. Only managed a handful of games in 2016 because of hamstring injuries and will be benefiting greatly from playing at AFL level during the JLT Series.
