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 – Karl Amon
After struggling to find his place in Port Adelaide’s side in the early stages of his career, Karl Amon put together a brilliant 2019 campaign that was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.
With the pressure on to replicate his form in 2020, the soft-spoken Amon did just that as he surges closer to the 100-game mark in his AFL career.
The silky left-footer played every game in Port Adelaide’s 150th anniversary season and fully established himself as an import part of Ken Hinkley’s side and one of the more reliable wingmen in the AFL.
Amon’s ability to carry the ball and drive it forward effectively was a key factor in Port’s increased scoring capacity in 2020. He led the club in total metres gained – setting a career-high despite the shortened season, ranked fourth for inside 50s and sixth for score involvements.
In 2020, Hinkley and his coaching panel put an emphasis on the fact that team football wins games. Succeed in your role and the team will succeed around you. Karl Amon did just that this year and with those same coaches responsible for handing out the votes, don’t be surprised to see his name towards the top of the John Cahill Medal rankings.
Three of the best:
Round 4 vs West Coast
Amon was a key contributor to Port Adelaide’s critic defying win over the Eagles at Metricon Stadium, boasting six score involvements from his 17 touches and even put his name in the paper with a goal for good measure.
Round 9 vs Melbourne
Arguably his best performance for the season, Amon was everywhere in the destruction of the Demons at the Gabba. The 25-year-old amassed 25 disposals and six score involvements while going at season-best 84% efficiency in a wingman’s masterclass.
Round 16 vs North Melbourne
Amon was again busy in another commanding performance by the Power. While his disposal tally was down, gathering just 18 touches, he made the most of them, gaining 452 metres of territory and delivering five inside 50s, five score involvements and a goal.
