AHEAD of Port Adelaide’s Best and Fairest count on Friday night, portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who is in contention for the John Cahill and A.R. McLean medals.
The John Cahill Medal is awarded to Port Adelaide’s best and fairest player in the AFL. After the completion of every game, Port Adelaide’s coaches and General Manager – Football Chris Davies cast their votes, rating each player’s performance between 0-5, with a maximum of 20 and minimum of zero votes per player per game awarded.
The same process is undertaken in the SANFL, with the Magpies’ best and fairest player receiving the A.R. McLean Medal.
John Cahill Medal contender - Tom Clurey
Tom Clurey has become one of the most consistent players for the Power over the last two seasons, with the key defender taking his game to another level in 2019.
Clurey played 21 games this season, becoming a household name in Port’s key defensive post. The 25-year-old had career-highs for kicks (16 vs Adelaide round 16), handballs (seven vs Sydney round 21) and marks (12 vs Adelaide round 16).
The country Victoria product kept some of the league’s best forwards quiet in 2019, especially Geelong’s Tom Hawkins in round 14. Clurey kept the 2019 All-Australian full forward to one of his quietest outings ever - one kick, four handballs, no marks and no goals.
While a key defender doesn’t necessarily rack up the stats, Clurey’s influence on Port games in 2019 should see him poll well in this year’s John Cahill Medal.
Clurey’s standout performances:
Round 4 vs Richmond - 15 disposals, nine marks, seven one-percenters
Round 6 vs North Melbourne - 15 disposals, five marks
Round 8 vs Adelaide - 14 disposals, 12 one-percenters
Round 9 vs Gold Coast - 12 disposals, 10 one-percenters
Round 13 vs Fremantle - 11 disposals, 13 one-percenters
Round 15 vs Western Bulldogs - 18 disposals, six marks, 10 one-percenters
Round 16 vs Adelaide - 18 disposals, 12 marks, seven one-percenters
Round 17 vs Brisbane - 10 disposals, 13 one-percenters
Round 19 vs GWS - 16 disposals, seven marks
Round 21 vs Sydney - 18 disposals, eight marks
