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 – Trent McKenzie
Best and fairest results aside, Trent McKenzie’s Lazarus-like return from the AFL wilderness in 2020 is commendable in and of itself.
McKenzie joined Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent at the end of 2017 after 106 games as an inaugural member of the expansion side on the Gold Coast, having forged his name as ‘The Cannon’ with his raking left boot and eagerness to unleash it on goal.
After managing just 14 games from his final two years at Metricon Stadium, McKenzie looked destined for the AFL scrap heap after adding just two more appearances in as many years at Alberton.
However, a strong showing at the back end of the 2019 SANFL season, playing a pivotal role in the Magpies’ charge to a Grand Final appearance, and a rock solid outing against the Dockers in the final AFL game of the season, the man affectionately known as ‘Moose’ by his teammates earned another lifeline and hasn’t looked back.
Reinventing himself as a more traditional key back than the line-breaking half-back/wingman he was at the Suns, McKenzie played 17 games in 2020, missing just two with back spasms.
McKenzie spent more time deep with greater accountability against the opposition’s key forwards and gave a respectable account for himself, leading Port in rebound 50s, trailing only Charlie Dixon at the club for contested marks and finishing top three for total marks and one-percenters.
His rock solid play earnt the 28-year-old a two-year contract extension before the end of the season, and while claiming a John Cahill Medal might seem farfetched, a top 10 finish would come as no surprise as a reward for his meteoric return to AFL relevance.
Three of the best:
Round 2 vs Adelaide
If you want to endear yourself to the Port Adelaide faithful, a strong showing in your first Showdown is a great way to start. McKenzie was a key pillar in Port’s suffocating defence that mauled the Crows, gathering 15 disposals and taking a career-best 11 marks (two of them contested).
Round 4 vs West Coast
The pure numbers (seven disposals, four one-percenters) don’t paint the full picture, but McKenzie was vital to Port Adelaide securing the points against the Eagles. His spoil back with the flight against the dangerous Jack Darling alone will secure him some votes.
Round 18 vs Collingwood
Much has been made of the height, or perceived lack thereof, within Port Adelaide’s defensive stocks. Standing a modest 191cm, McKenzie went toe-to-toe with all 211cm of Collingwood big man Mason Cox to hold the Magpies dangerous target man goalless.
