portadelaidefc.com.au looks at the three most impactful players in the Blues’ ranks, who could prove dangerous to the Power this weekend.

KADE SIMPSON




The Blues’ midfielder is a veteran of the game, sitting at 230 AFL games - making him the most experienced player on the field this Saturday. Simpson works his magic on the outside as a wingman and is able to get their offence going with dangerous left-foot kicking and composure over the ball.

His elite marking ability has seen him take out Carlton’s highest total number of marks title for the 2014 season, coming in at 11th across the league in the same category. A consistent and reliable force who offers substantial defensive support and has a disposal efficiency rating of 82.2%, shutting down Simpson will go a long way to stopping Carlton.

Simpson’s 2015 Season
320 average metres gained
11 handball receives per game (top 30 in the AFL)
82.2% disposal efficiency
6+ uncontested marks per game

MARC MURPHY




Another experienced midfielder with 194 games under his belt, Murphy is known for his fierce attack on the ball and impact at stoppages. On the back of one of his best games in recent times against Adelaide, the skipper is in fine form and will be hunting another win.

Claiming an impressive 36 disposals, 5 marks, 6 clearances and average 594 metres gained in the Blues’ win to the Crows before the bye, he’ll be a hard match up for the Power and certainly one whose impact they’ll be looking to limit.

Murphy’s 2015 Season
360m average metres gained (2nd at Carlton)
4+ clearances per game
26 disposals per game

PATRICK CRIPPS




Another danger in the Blues’ centre, Cripps is their up and coming midfielder. The 20-year-old has been nicknamed ‘the extractor’ for his elite clearance work, and is currently leading the way in first place for total number of handballs, contested possessions and clearances at Carlton this season.

At 190cm and 88kg, he’s a tough, big-bodied player who is a hard midfielder inside the contest. If matched up against Port Adelaide’s own young unit, Ollie Wines, it’ll be a tightly-contested arm wrestle in the centre.

Cripps’ 2015 Season
1st total handballs at Carlton
1st total clearances at Carlton
1st contested possessions at Carlton
4th total disposals at Carlton