portadelaidefc.com.au looks at the three most impactful players in the Crows’ ranks, who could prove dangerous to the Power on in Showdown XXXIX.
TAYLOR WALKER
The Crows’ leader has had a tough few weeks and will be looking to make an impact early.
While the Power kept him relatively quiet in Round 5 with a score of 2.2, four marks and 13 disposals, he’s dangerous inside-50 as a strong marking forward, averaging 7.2 marks per game.
Walker is a hard-working runner, but relies on the ball coming in from the midfield, so pressure from the Power’s mids and strong team defence will go a long way in limiting his impact.
Port Adelaide can’t afford to give Adelaide 70 inside-50s like last time, or Walker will hurt the Power on the scoreboard.
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EDDIE BETTS
Betts is one of the elite small forwards in the game – his fast movement and accurate kick for goal make him a real headache for the Power’s backline.
Usually Jasper Pittard or Tom Jonas take on this danger man, but with both out this week, Port will need to look at other options for match ups. Utility Nathan Krakouer earned an AFL recall for the Showdown and could be the key. However Betts’s strong defensive pressure could limit Krakouer’s superb ball movement at times.
While the small forward only averages 13 disposals per game, his average goals sit at 2.8 and he’s No. 1 at the Crows for score involvement at 30 per cent. He kicked 5.3 against the Power in Round 5 and will be up and about on Sunday.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD
He’s nothing short of a danger on the field – strong at ground level, averaging 10 groundball gets per game, and breaks lines with his explosive running.
The All-Australian midfielder is known for his hard contest and physicality around the ball, proving a weapon at stoppages and moving the ball forward. Similar in skill and style to big-bodied Power midfielder Ollie Wines, it’ll be an even and hotly contested match-up.
Leading the Crows with an average of more than 26 disposals per game, Dangerfield collected a massive 36 in the Crows’ Round 15 loss to West Coast last weekend.
In Showdown XXXVIII he had 13 clearances including five at the centre bounce, and is in third place at Adelaide for average metres gained with 415m.
