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 – Sam Powell-Pepper
Much was made in recent seasons about the dynamic of Port Adelaide’s midfield mix and whether the likes of Sam Powell-Pepper, Travis Boak, Tom Rockliff and Ollie Wines could co-exist in a winning side.
Heading into 2020 the decision was made and the bullocking Powell-Pepper officially made the move to a new high half-forward pressure role and the positive impact was immediate.
So successful was the Western Australian in his newfound position mixing between the forward line and engine room that by season’s end he was rewarded with a three-year contract extension and all talk of him being courted to a new club extinguished.
Powell-Pepper’s vicious desire for the football transitioned well into his new role terrorising defenders and locking the ball in Port’s forward half. His 17 pressure acts and 4.1 tackles per game ranking him elite in the competition.
However, his ability to roll up the sleeves at the coal face was not lost, as evident by his 2.8 clearances and 2.1 stoppage clearances per contest – also each elite in the AFL. With no better example coming from his five clearances in the first 15 minutes of the Qualifying Final against Geelong that helped set the tone for an exhilarating win.
The 22-year-old was the comfortable clubhouse leader for tackles at Alberton, while he also placed 17th best across the wider competition.
The East Perth product has always excelled in those areas, but what impressed many over the course of 2020 was his clear improvement in the areas of his game that were most often criticised. His 71% disposal efficiency was a career-high and rated above average in the AFL, and while his 58.5% kicking efficiency still sits in the average category, it was also a career-best mark and he committed the fewest clangers and turnovers of his career by a wide margin.
Having already played 76 games in his career it is easy to forget that ‘Peps’ is just 22 years of age. He played all 19 games in 2020 and is already an award winner on Port Adelaide’s night of nights, taking out the Gavin Wanganeen Medal in 2017. His dedication to team-first football has already been rewarded with a new contract. Where will it place him in the John Cahill Medal rankings?
Three of the best:
Round 6 vs GWS
Powell-Pepper was an absolute terror against the Giants, galloping up and down the wings and wreaking havoc at Metricon Stadium. His 22 disposals was a season-best output, as was his mark of 442 metres gained. He also pumped the ball inside 50 six times and kicked an important goal to steady the ship when GWS threatened.
Round 16 vs North Melbourne
Another well-rounded performance shifting between attack and the midfield. SPP gathered 18 disposals, five inside 50s, eight score involvements and a goal.
Qualifying Final vs Geelong
Powell-Pepper proved the barometer early, winning all five of his clearances within the first 15 minutes before settling back into his new forward role with five score involvements. Not his greatest statistical output, but his influence on the game came highly rated by senior coach Ken Hinkley, who awarded him the maximum five coaches votes for the Garry Ayres Award, despite Geelong’s Chris Scott deeming him worthy of none.
