High stocks from Round 2

Note to reader: There is a strong sense of Power in this piece.

Darren Burgess
Don’t know him? He’s the fitness coach for Port Adelaide; they run out games strongly because of him.

Burgess has spent time working with the Socceroos and Liverpool Football Club in recent years, before returning to the Power at the end of 2012.

Port Adelaide kicked 11 of the last 14 goals against Adelaide on Saturday; no doubt Burgess played a big part in the final result. He could make me fit even with a diet of Macca’s, lollies and beers.

(Port) Adelaide Oval
For many Victorians, a trip to the AFL in South Australia once ended with slashed tyres or a trip to the hospital. I’m not saying either of those will change because of Adelaide Oval, but you will be greeted with an AFL experience to savour.

The first showdown at Adelaide Oval was as good as it gets. The ground is light-years ahead of the old AAMI Park venue and it’s just a walk over the bridge from the CBD.

Power(ful) crowd
The crowd of 50,397 was finals-like. It had to have been a 60-40 split the Power fans’ way. The teal masses made it feel like a powerhouse for the Port players. Bragging rights belong to Port Adelaide fans until the next showdown.

Hamish Hartlett is verging on elite
Hartlett had 29 disposals (12 of them contested), four clearances and a goal in the showdown.

Hartlett has always had ability, but spent too much time across half back to be classed as an A grade midfielder.

He’s still got to put together a season in the midfield but his days as a good B grade player are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Chad Wingard
He kicked four, his vertical leap is ridiculous (he can dunk a basketball and he’s only 6 ft tall) and his hands are as soft as butter. Wingard’s third-quarter swayed momentum back towards the Power.

Note to reader: I warned you of a strong Port Adelaide theme!

Shaun Burgoyne
The Hawthorn number nine is no stranger to carrying teams on his back, he did so at Port Adelaide for the majority of his seven years at the club. However, Burgoyne’s 30 disposals were crucial in the win over the Bombers.

The composure shown was first-class and yet another reason why Hawks fans will be smiling in weeks to come.

Nick Riewoldt
With a knee as weak as my water pressure, Riewoldt’s seven disposals and two goals in the third-quarter seems out of this world.

In season 2014, Riewoldt’s stats are: 24 disposals, 14 marks, five goals, 23 disposals, plus three goals. The big Saint will be on six out of a possible six Brownlow votes after two rounds.

Tom Hickey
Many of us thought St Kilda were out of their minds letting Ben McEvoy walk, however Hickey’s 19 disposals, eight marks and three goals meant maybe the Saints knew what they were doing after all.

Nah, let’s be honest, it’s still not worth letting ‘Big Boy’ McEvoy walk, but Hickey has serious potential.

Young Bombers stand up
Patty Ambrose and Martin Gleeson. Three crucial goals in the big game from Ambrose on Friday night got the Bombers back into the game. Brendan Goddard has called him the best athlete he has ever seen on an AFL list.

Gleeson had 17 touches and the lightly-framed defender showed composure well beyond his years in the Bombers’ loss.

Dylan Buckley
Ran himself into the ground and was everywhere in the Blues’ loss. His 18 disposals were used at 94 per cent efficiency; he is the much-needed youth the Blues have been searching for.

Umpiring
Have the peas in the umpires’ whistles been pulled? This is the best umpiring in years! As Sam Newman says, the best umpires are the ones who aren’t there. Keep the whistle away!

Collingwood playing at ANZ stadium
The Pies have won nine of the last 10 up there, that’s enough! I’m not tipping against the Pies at ANZ stadium in Sydney.

Andrew Mackie
One of the most underrated players in the league, and one of the reasons for the sustained success down at the Cattery, 200 games of pure class.

Stevie J’s Brownlow stocks
37 disposals, a career high for the one-time goalsneak, who has moved up forward and has to be an equal favourite with Joel Selwood for the Brownlow Medal if it is to go to a player in the hoops.

Bomber Thompson’s post-match press conferences
Genius!