After several weeks being down on numbers with players out with injury, we’re finally starting to see players really beginning to put pressure upon their peers by performing well at SANFL level.
It’s pleasing to see those who are dropped from the Power side go back to local level and put in really consistent and quality performances, with none better this week than Jay Nash, who responded brilliantly to being dropped from the Port Adelaide side by starring for Central District on the weekend.
Many other players put in note-worthy performances, including Scott Harding and Jason Davenport.
SANFL Player of the Week
Jay Nash (for Bulldogs v Bloods) - Jay had a very good game gathering plenty of possessions, using the ball well and setting up attacks from defence through the central corridor. He pushed up the ground which enabled him to kick the ball inside 50 on six occasions, normally resulting in a shot at goal for his teammates. He has been working on winning his own ball and playing a real give-and-get role. He continues to perform to a high standard at local level, meaning that he’s always in the eye of selectors for the Power. He finished the day with 22 kicks, 10 handballs, 2 marks, and 2 tackles.
Daniel Webb (for Bloods reserves v Centrals) - Played ruck and forward and worked hard in the ruck - his excellent vertical leap makes for a big advantage at centre bounces to give his midfielders first use of the ball. He’s learning about using hid body around the ground and is improving in this area, and he always looks dangerous. He needs to aware of giving away free kicks. He had 9 kicks,8 marks, 4 tackles, and 8 hit-outs.
Danny Meyer (for Tigers v Roosters) - Another busy day for Danny picking up 23 touches, roughly evenly split between kicks and handballs. He started forward and struggled to get into the game, unable to read the ball movement that well with his workrate down. He played three quarters bown back and got into the game by running hard to receive and beating hisi man on occasions. He spoiled and tackled, and set up good counter-attacking football from half-back. He ended up with 12 kicks, 11 handballs, 7 marks, and 5 tackles.
Jasper Pittard (guest for Roosters reserves v Tigers) - Jasper ran well to receive the ball and controlled his opponent well at stoppages, but he needs to find his opponent quicker in general play. He always wants to zone off and cut the ball off, and he took an excellent intercept mark and switched-angled the ball well the teammates. He’s developing well, and just needs to keep working at the little things like his kicking, tackling, and chasing. He had 9 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 marks, and 3 tackles.
Scott Harding (for Bloods v Bulldogs) - A great game for Scotty. He worked hard all day, especially at stoppages where he used his strength and power to break away and use the ball by hand and foot. His kicking possibly wasn’t as efficient as it has been in past games, but his clearance work was excellent. He’s really looking settled now and playing some very good football at SANFL level. He picked up 12 kicks, 5 handballs, 1 mark, and 2 tackles.
Matt Westhoff (for Bulldogs v Bloods) - This was Matt’s first game back in the seniors for several weeks, having been playing down back in the reserves and finding some really good form there. He started as a high forward and presented well, having an excellent second quarter where he hauled in 5 marks. He has the ability to lose his opponent to create a target for his teammates, and has worked hard on the defensive side of his game, enabling him to stay involved in the game for longer periods. He had 12 kicks, 1 handball, 9 marks, 1 tackle and kicked 2 points.
John Butcher (guest for Tigers reserves v Roosters) - Butch had 5 really good lead-up marks - he just needs to take the ball in his hands rather than on his chest. There were 2 strong contested marks where he used his body well, and he also hunted the opponent and chased his man out of the forward 50 at times. His field-kicking was very good and he only had one poor shot on goal - otherwise, this was his best game since coming off the Long Term Injury list. He had 9 kicks, 1 handball, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 4 hit-outs and kicked 1 goal 1.
Chad Cornes (Tigers v Roosters) - Chad started on Alleway and was beaten early by his movement to the ball, having 2 goals and 2 behinds kicked on him before Chad was moved. He rallied to play better as the game wore on, marking the ball and setting up good transition - all his possessions were effective. Unfortunately he seriously hurt his finger.
Nathan Krakouer (guest for Bloods reserves v Bulldogs) - Playing as a guest player, Krak played a variety of positions from back to forward as well as on the wing. When down back he applied2 very good spoints, but he didn’t get into the game as much as we would have liked. While forward he didn’t involve himself fully in the play, but when shifted to the wing in the third quarter he looked very lively - he just needs to produce that sort of effort for four quarters. He missed very few targets, with his speed and kicking getting back to AFL levels. He had 13kicks,4 handballs, 5 marks, and a tackle.
Jason Davenport (for Bloods v Bulldogs) - A solid game from Jase, he worked hard both ways and can get into space on the end of the chain for a set shot at goal. He does get a lot of his ball between the arcs and it would be great to see him make more of his possessions and deliver the ball inside 50.l He laid some nice tackles and worked hard to restrict his opponent’s run, stopping him delivering the ball inside his 50. He attitude was excellent and he finished with 14 kicks, 6 handballs, 8 marks, 5 tackles and booted 2 goals 1.
Michael Pettigrew (for Bloods v Roosters) - The very fact that Petters came straight back into the senior side at West Adelaide straight off the back of a serious knee injury shows how valued he is at the club. Unfortunately he couldn’t get his hands on the footy, but his effort to try and involve himself in the play was outstanding. He’ll be better for the run and will improve from here on in.
Marlon Motlop (for Roosters v Bloods) - Marlon had a very good game - he's really involving himself in the play and has shown good improvement in the last couple of weeks. He started as a half-forward pushing up, but also had stints across half-back as well as through the middle. He used the ball well, setting up plenty of midfield run, with a good balance between defence and attack. He had a couple of goal assists as well as crumbing a few nice balls inside 50. He'll be definitely be pushing for AFL selection if he maintains this form. He finished with 20 possessions, 12 handball receives, 4 tackles, and 2 shots at goals for 2 points.
Past SANFL Power Player of the Week winners
Round 17 - Andrew Moore
Round 16 - Jay Nash
Round 15 - Daniel Bass
Round 14 - Jarrad Redden
Round 13 - Justin Westhoff
Round 12 - No Nomination
Round 11 - Nick Salter
Round 10 - Jay Schulz
Round 9 - Matthew Broadbent
Round 8 - Daniel Stewart
Round 7 - Michael Pettigrew
Round 6 - Cameron Cloke
Round 5 - Nick Salter
Round 4 - Josh Carr
Round 3 - David Rodan
Round 2 - Nick Salter
Round 1 - Danny Meyer
