McKay, who posts as Macca19 on the BigFooty Forum, gives player reviews every week on portadelaidefc.com.au.
Macca19’s top 5
Hamish Hartlett
Was our best player this week from start to finish in my opinion. Big start in the first quarter and didn't let up and just delivered the ball to his teammates excellently through the whole game. I wanted to see a big game this week after missing the week with suspension and we got it in spades tonight. His best game for the year. Was allowed far too much space across the back flank and was able to waltz through the midfield with ease for much of the match.
Matt Lobbe
I thought that was Lobbe's best game of AFL footy. Yes he was against a young opponent but he just dominated like he never has before. He's had more hitouts before, but I thought his quality of hitouts was better than ever. Was back to his best around the ground and once again slotted a great goal up forward too. We all know his importance to the side and when he plays like that, we are hard to beat.
Robbie Gray
Superstar. He now deserves to be spoken of as an elite of the competition. Week in, week out, he's just putting in elite performances and today was no different. In fact it was arguably the best of the lot. Another 25 touches. Another 4 goals. 3 goal assists. Huge numbers. His impact was second to only Hammers with the ball. Is up to the level now that he's getting almost impossible for the opposition to stop. No matter what you do, unless you put three players on him, he can get out of it. Strong grab over head, best ground skills in the team if not the competition, virtually impossible to tackle effectively because he always manages to get those hands free. Kicks goals. Dishes off plenty. Superstar.
Chad Wingard
When he goes into God mode like that he's just about unstoppable. Looked switched on from the start this week which I felt was important after last week. Then he just turned on the party tricks after half time. That mark was something else. Give him 2 cars. He's taken the two best grabs of the year. Throw in a number of other clever grabs, 3 goals and a number of score involvements and it was just the ultimate Chad Wingard game.
Jasper Pittard
Jasper played a game in the pre season that all made us stand up and take notice. It was against Essendon and we all commented on 'that is how Jasper needs to play every week'. He gave us a glimpse then and I thought he mirrored those efforts today. Just got in perfect position every time to either spoil the ball effectively, or take a mark in front of a contest, or spread wide and provide a very effective option across the wings. I thought he was excellent last week and he was equally as good this week. Probably his best game at AFL level.
Best young gun
Jarman Impey
Wow. Just keeps getting better and better. Is playing like a 50-60 game, 3rd or 4th year player. What is he going to be like when he hits that experience level, as right now he is a super accomplished footballer. Defensively was excellent but once again it was his ability to zone off at the right times and create an attacking option that impressed me the most. And that goal he kicked, one hand pick up and slots it with ease from a long way out. Mouth watering stuff. Could really be anything. Well done on the recruiting team for identifying him and for the coaching staff and putting the faith in him to play this well.
