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 Rockliff
Tom Rockliff started the season on fire, amassing 30+ possessions in four of his first five games - the only time he failed to reach that figure was after injury forced him from the ground early in the game against Brisbane.
Rockliff continued to collect big numbers, with 41 touches in the round eight Showdown followed by 31 disposals against the Suns the next week.
A hamstring injury suffered in the clash with Hawthorn saw the ball-magnet miss the next month of football, but Rockliff returned with a dominant 36 disposals and 11 marks in Port’s emphatic Showdown XLVII win in round 16.
The former Lion had the ball on 30 or more occasions eight times throughout the year, while he amassed 25+ touches in 13 of his 18 games in 2019.
Rockliff’s standout performances:
Round 1 vs Melbourne - 44 disposals, 10 marks, eight tackles
Round 2 vs Carlton - 37 disposals, five marks
Round 4 vs Richmond - 37 disposals, six marks, five tackles
Round 5 vs West Coast - 32 disposals
Round 6 vs North Melbourne - 27 disposals, nine tackles
Round 8 vs Adelaide - 41 disposals, six marks, six tackles
Round 9 vs Gold Coast - 31 disposals, five marks, six tackles
Round 16 vs Adelaide - 36 disposals, 11 marks, five tackles
Round 17 vs Brisbane - 29 disposals
Round 18 vs Richmond - 26 disposals, five tackles, one goal
Round 19 vs GWS - 31 disposals, five tackles
Round 20 vs Essendon - 27 disposals, four marks, four tackles