AS Port Adelaide prepares to crown its 2020 club champion at next Thursday’s Best and Fairest count, portadelaidefc.com.au looks at the contenders to take home the John Cahill Medal.
How the voting works: Following the completion of each game, the panel of Senior Coach Ken Hinkley, Senior Assistant Michael Voss, each player’s respective line coach and General Manager – Football Chris Davies cast their votes. Each player’s performance is rated between 0-5, with a maximum of 20 and minimum of zero votes awarded per player, per game.
John Cahill Medal Contender – Scott Lycett
With former club champion Paddy Ryder moving on to St Kilda in the off season the baton as Port Adelaide’s number one ruckman was officially passed to Scott Lycett.
And didn’t the former Magpies junior step up to the plate in 2020.
Lycett shouldered the load in the middle for the Power with aplomb, firmly establishing himself as the club’s lead ruckman while also forming a successful partnership with blossoming big man Peter Ladhams in the latter stages of the season.
The Thevenard product was the clear hitouts leader at Port, while his 352 hitouts was good enough for eighth across the entire competition despite missing four games with a knee injury.
Importantly, his 33% hitouts to advantage rated him as elite in the AFL and his willingness to bunker down and get the tough stuff done (fourth at the club for one-percenters and clearances, and ninth for contested possessions) could not be questioned.
Perhaps supporters will most fondly remember Lycett’s 2020 for his gallop down the eastern wing of Adelaide Oval and taking three running bounces in the 50-point over Essendon.
A Port Adelaide boy through and through, ‘Scooter’ grew up dreaming of emulating his Magpies heroes and taking to the stage and accepting an A.R. McLean Medal. Could a first John Cahill Medal take its place?
Three of the best:
Round 2 vs Adelaide
Lycett looked at home pulling his Prison Bar jumper back on and played an important role in the demolition job in the Round 2 Showdown. His 15 disposals and 32 hitouts (nine to advantage) were critical to setting up his Harry Highpants celebration in the team photo post-game.
Round 3 vs Fremantle
Port Adelaide and Fremantle were left bruised and battered after a physical encounter in wet conditions at Metricon Stadium. Port took home the points thanks in large part to Lycett’s slobber knocker performance in the middle of the ground, winning a season-high 37 hitouts in a dominant display against Rory Lobb.
Round 6 vs GWS
Shane Mumford has long been one of the more intimidating big men in the AFL, with his love of the contest and history of throwing his weight around. However, try as he might, the Giants big man’s roughhousing tactics could not slow Lycett down. Port’s big fella gather eight clearances from his 11 possessions (all of them contested) to help secure an important win in the Gold Coast Hub.
