LIFELONG Port Adelaide supporter Craig McKay gives us his best players from the Power's win over the Hawks. Usually it's just a top five, but we had so many good players - he added in a sixth!
Macca's Top Six
Sam Gray
Sammy! Sammy Gray! I don't even know where to begin. We all had doubts about his future. He struggled on a forward flank. Couldn't impact in a forward pocket. Poor skills, couldn't get on the scoreboard. Amazing what happens when you move a talented player into his natural position. 4 weeks he's been wonderful as a midfielder. What a stat sheet that is! 34 disposals, 3 tackles, 11 contested possessions, 6 inside 50s. His impact was unquestionable. Anyone that's seen him play in the SANFL over his career knows how great he is as that centre square midfielder. Suddenly, in the last two weeks, it looks like we've found two players who could seriously help the senior players in that spot. Was best on ground by a long way Sammy. Sorry Sammy, I thought you were gone. You well deserve another contract!
TALKING POINTS: Power v Hawks
Jasper Pittard
Has had a disappointing second half of the year. Skills, decision making, marking have all been down. Tonight, Jasper was back to his very best. Was great on Puopolo for much of the game and just controlled that back line with ease. His intercept marking was at its best. His skills were as good as they've ever been. He knew when to run off, when to create, when to dish off the handball and shepherded well. Just about his best game of the year.
Brendon AhChee
Forgive me for getting a bit emotional but I don't think i've been so happy to see a youngster play great footy for a number of years. Was our player sponsor a couple years ago. Regular on the podcast. Career on the line, gets a go this year, been solid as a sub and then was BOG last week. We all had our fingers crossed that he could back it up this week....and he did! To see him playing this sort of football at the highest level is wonderful. Great around the stoppages once again, but his ability to spread tonight and get the uncontested ball was crucial. Just seemed to be all over the park and once again was able to impact across the half forward line when up there. Whilst his handball to Monfries was a mistake, I was fist pumping like a mad man that he got the chance to make amends and kick the clutch sealer in the last few minutes. Well done Arch! Absolutely stoked for you!
REVIEW: As it happened
Chad Wingard
Clutch Wingod in overdrive! Thought he had a great start and was one of our keys in the first quarter before getting well held through the second. Then came just about the turning point of the game. Hodge chooses to try and decapitate him in a disgraceful act and Chad turns on the after burners. 2 goals straight away and gives us back the ascendancy. Was great further up the field in the last quarter, winning a number of crucial contested balls and finding plenty of space. Not only was he one of the best players on the ground, he finally ended the ridiculous Chad vs Cyril debate once and for all. One's the greatest small forward in the game. The other is Cyril Rioli.
Robbie Gray
What a first quarter! If only he had his radar on it would have been close to the best individual quarter of footy for the year, by any player. Unfortunately didn't get the chance to hit the scoreboard later on but still dished off a number of goal assists to make up for it. Ryder to Gray in the ruck was delicious in that first half. Has he been as good as last year? Many may say no due to his reduction in goals, but his midfield work this year has been better than in 2014. His ability to win the clearance, break free and be able to dish off an effective disposal...only Gary can match it. Great 4 quarter effort.
Paddy Ryder
Can't give a top 5 this week, has to be a top 6. One of the best ruck performances in the last few years by a Port ruckman. Just destroyed McEvoy in the ruck and was great around the ground. Took some super strong grabs, used the ball well. But it was in the centre where he was so dominant. Won the centre clearances by 6 and it was just about the key to our win, our ability to get the ball out of the middle to ensure Hawthorn couldn't counter or get any sort of run on.
Player reviews: Round 21, 2015
Craig McKay gives us his best from the Power's win over the Hawks