Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne: JLT Review

It was a shootout in the first half, with 22 goals kicked, but I’m sure both sides defensive units got a bit of a blasting at half time, with the screws tightened in the second half, spart from a brief opening of the floodgates in the last 5 minutes. Port generally got on top in the second half though, winning the game 123-102.

Notable absentees

Port Adelaide: Ollie Wines, Charlie Dixon, Hamish Hartlett

North Melbourne: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Jamie Mcmillan, Jed Anderson, Ben Jacobs, Majak Daw

INJURIES: Marley Williams (calf), Jarrod Lienert (knee), Paddy Ryder (head)

Port Adelaide

Travis Boak – FWD – $478,000 – Looks to have swapped the high half forward role with Ebert to move into the middle. Had 18 disposals, 6 marks, 7 inside 50’s and a goal in the first half. Finished with 27 disposals, 20 of which were contested, 10 marks and 3 clearances. Looks promising as a forward selection.

Tom Rockliff – MID – $405, 900 – Super busy first half with 21 disposals, 7 marks, 5 clearances and 2 goals. Smashed everyone possession wise, grabbing 42 (next best was 28 from Higgins), 17 marks, 2 goals and 9 clearances. Only had 11 contested possessions though, but will definitely find his way into plenty of teams now.

Robbie Gray – MID/FWD – $525,500 – Did his usual, dangerous wherever he goes. 2 goals in the first quarter with 8 disposals and 3 clearances. Finished with 20 disposals, 4 clearances and 2 goals. Clashed heads with Ryder in the 4^th, but looked to be OK.

Willem Drew – MID/FWD – $123,900 – Had 11 disposals and 2 shots on goal in the first half and had 16 disposals, 7 marks and 4 tackles for the game. Question will be how long does he stay in the side once Wines is back.

Connor Rozee – DEF/FWD – $189,300 – Just 5 disposals in the first half and 11 for the game, with 2 marks and 3 tackles. Talent is unquestionable, but price makes him not worth picking, especially with Butters and Duursma there.

Zak Butters – MID – $157,800 – Kicked a pair of goals in the first half with 9 disposals and 2 marks. Kicked 3 goals for the game with 14 disposals. Looks the goods.

Xavier Duursma – MID – $130,800 – 8 first half disposals with 2 rebound and inside 50’s. Got going in the 2^nd half to finish with 24 disposals, 11 marks and 4 inside 50’s from 64% ToG, though had 7 turnovers.

Ryan Burton – DEF – $356,700 – 6 disposals with 2 clangers in the first half and ended with 16 disposals. Not enough juice in that stat line to consider picking him at that price.

Brad Ebert – MID – 471,500 – Up forward and had just 9 disposals in the first half and 13 for the game. Doesn’t look like that role is Supercoach friendly judging from Boak’s previous year.

North Melbourne

Shaun Higgins – MID – $560,200 – Led the Roos with 28 disposals, with 2 goals and 6 marks. 24 uncontested possessions won’t help the Supercoach score though.

Ben McKay – DEF – $123,900 – Doesn’t look settled down back at all. Few panicked kicks that led to turnovers and goals for Port, can’t see him keeping his spot in the side once Tarrant and Daw return. Might cross him off the list after this performance. 5 first half disposals with 3 marks and ended with 7 disposals and 4 marks. Might get games early with North missing a few tall defenders, but the Supercoach scores won’t likely come from that kind of stat line.

Jared Polec – MID – $513,500 – Looks to have settled in well at his new team with 14 disposals in the first half. Had 25 for the game with 6 marks and a goal. Same as Higgins, with 17 of his 25 disposals as uncontested, which doesn’t help Supercoach scores.

Aaron Hall – MID – $389,200 – Came off for a bit and still has his knee heavily strapped, which makes me slightly nervous. Also has pink eye and the runs, so might have had less ToG if he had to run off the field to prevent crapping his pants. Had a goal and 8 disposals in the first half to finish with 18 disposals and a goal for the game. Anyone considering picking him would have wanted to see more.

Ben Brown – FWD – $451,100 – 1 goal and 6 disposals in the first half. Would probably be disappointed if you were looking at him that North scored 10 goals and he only had 1. Kicked 1.2 for the game with 11 disposals and 4 marks.

Tarryn Thomas – MID – $175,800 – Doesn’t look likely at his price, had 5 disposals in the first half, but was running at just 20% efficiency. Played 68% of the game for 6 disposals and 2 marks.

Bailey Scott – MID – $117,300 – 9 disposals for the first half with 3 score involvements. Finished with 19 disposals, 2 goals, 4 marks and 2 clearances from 58% ToG. Looks promising.

Paul Ahern – MID – $375,100 – Booted 2 goals in the first quarter and had 3 in the first half, along with 10 disposals and 2 clearances.  Ended with 21 disposals, 3 marks and 3 goals from 63% ToG. If he had FWD eligibility he might be worth considering, but there are a plethora of options in the midfield he’ll get lost in.

So Community, anyone from Port or North catch your eyes today?