Some Port Adelaide fans believe young rebounding defender Jasper Pittard costs the Power crucial games. Other fans believe he’s the next big thing.
Pittard was drafted in the 2009 National Draft with pick 16. In his first year at Port Adelaide he played for Sturt in the SANFL and could not crack into the top side.
The skinny defender made his debut in the first round of the 2011 season. He went on to play 12 out of the first 13 games for that season but was cruelled by injury.
He didn’t return return to the senior line-up until Round 20.
In his debut year, Pittard was rewarded with a rising star nomination for a 25-disposal performance in an inspirational Showdown win during Round 4. The man formerly known as McMillian-Pittard consistently had games where he recorded more than 15 disposals, showing promising signs to the depressed Port Adelaide fans.
The galloping gazelle managed to play 17 out of a possible 24 games in 2013 which was a great return, considering previous seasons. He also set a career high amount of disposals, 27 against GWS in Round 2.
On paper, it looks as if Pittard is having a great year. In 2014 he has a disposal efficiency of 75 percent and is averaging 17.5 disposals. He is also second at Port Adelaide for rebound 50s, only four behind Matthew Broadbent.
The majority of Power fans still prefer Pittard to be dropped. Statistically Pittard averages 2.2 clangers a game but that doesn’t reflect the frustration he creates among the Alberton crowd.
Pittard continually creates pressure situations and is known for his poor decision making.
Kane Cornes recently said even the players give him stick about his decision making on field. Pittard is also known to be the player who receives the most sprays behind closed doors from his mentor and coach Ken Hinkley.
He is known to continually kick the ball poorly to create fifty-fifty contests or punt a grubber which turns into ten players jumping onto the ball resetting Port Adelaide’s running game by creating a stoppage. Although creating stoppages can be an understandable option in certain circumstances, Pittard creates these situations weekly more than necessary.
It seems like all of Adelaide Oval takes a deep breath when he tucks the ball in and takes long strides from the back line as he attempts to weave through opposition players. When he does get through to the attacking 50, he seems to burn the ball by either being tackled or handballing laterally into a pressure situation.
It seems like Hinkley feels the same. During the pre-match coverage on Channel Seven for Port Adelaide’s match up with Hawthorn, there was a recording of Ken Hinkley telling Pittard to “defend hard” as “it’s the key thing for you (Pittard).” The Power coach went on to tell him “if you (Pittard) defending hard, I (Hinkley) live with the other stuff okay.”
When Pittard is on song, it’s because he is operating well defensively. Last Showdown, he took seven marks while rebounding from 50 seven times along with three inside 50s.
The positive of Pittard’s game, is that he is a risk taker and is not afraid to the take the game on. As a player who has only played 46 games, he will get better by learning from mistakes as he matures with AFL experience.
There is no point of him playing at SANFL level as he currently showing good numbers at AFL standard. The only reason to play him for the Port Magpies would be to get confidence back as he most likely would dominate, and as outsiders we do not know how much confidence he currently has.
Will Pittard reach his true potential?
Jimbo
Guest
I'm sorry but the young man is just not good enough to play at the top level. He takes unnecessary risks, has poor decision make skills, turns the ball over too much which often results in goals for the opposition, puts his own players under pressure, has poor vision, disposals are scrappy and ineffective and I believe he brings the whole team down. He does try hard but that just not good enough. He needs to go.
Leigh Matthews
Guest
Eight disposals today, a couple of which were from kick-outs to himself. Most, if not all, ineffective. This was in a game where he was playing as a loose defender in which the ball spent majority of the time at his end of the pitch. Standard
Ken Hinkley
Guest
The kid is hopeless. It's almost an insult to Corey Enright suggesting he could one day emulate his exploits as a footballer. "What about that coast to coast goal where he was holding a ball hoping for a miss….which happened then he threw the ball to the kicker and away Port went be4 the opposition could set up. This is footy smarts! !!" You're having a laugh right, Kev? The one example you're using to defend the calibre of a footy player is an instance where he threw the ball to a teammate outside of play... Anyone can have 'footy smarts'. Doesn't mean they can play. It must leave blokes like Steve Summerton scratching their heads as to how they can't buy their way onto an AFL list yet this bloke gets a game week in week out.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
There is a Jasper Pittard debate?
Gyfox
Guest
One of the group I sit with at The Portress is always criticising Pittard! You know the sort. Of supporter..."you always do that, Pittard", "why is Hinkley playing him", etc, etc
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Radelaide, I agree with you on the Corey Enright comment. Also I think sometimes supporters can focus on his mistakes more than his positives in some games. The media seems to like him for his flair which creates "entertainment value."
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Not sure about the Mark Williams comment but it sounds like something Jasper Pittard would do, which is a great attribute. He started his AFL season well this year and I don't mind the impact he can make as a sub but recently his performances have been going downhill... and quickly. I am expecting Logan to come into the side for him this afternoon for him otherwise I want to know what the coaches are thinking.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
It's interesting Kevin how you always seem to be commenting on what you think are my "poor" articles now rather than the ones you possibly like. It focuses on what the majority of Power fans believe. I also looked at his positives which included looking at his most outstanding games. And that play was looked at On The Couch where Kane Cornes stated Pittard gets stick for his decision making. However, that play was clever - shows Port are well drilled. I don't think the risk taking is an issue, it's knowing when to take the risks and we all know what happens to teams who turn the ball over due to poor risk taking. Also I never said Jasper should be dropped, I don't think he needs to be. I even say he "most likely would dominate" in the SANFL. I also never said he was down on confidence.
Kevin Martin
Guest
Poor article ... focuses too much of JP negatives. What about that coast to coast goal where he was holding a ball hoping for a miss....which happened then he threw the ball to the kicker and away Port went be4 the opposition could set up. This is footy smarts! !! This young team is doing well coz they take risks ... no way will JP be dropped and he doesnt need it for confidence .... he has plenty! !!!
Radelaide
Guest
Kane Mitchell comes across as an outside runner and not really suited for the wet, I would rather Logan play in his place in the wet but he keeps his place because he is a very hard runner who keeps running all day which means Hinkley will look the other way on mistakes. Also he is only 24 so still has a year or 2 off of being at his best and as Logan is 29 you can see why the coach goes with who he does. Pittard also I feel is in the same boat in that he is at the right age (hasn't hit his best yet) but instead of being as fast as Kane he takes the game on so much to try and create drive from half back, he is always trying something new (that's why he kicks out a lot). He cops a lot of stick but really he only mucks up a couple of times a game in a bad game but creates a lot more chances with his dare but when he does have a good game he is near flawless in creating so many opportunities and reliably keeping his man honest. I think he can progress to a Corey Enright kind of player which would be perfect as when Chad Cornes went back to play the same role he played his best footy and we won a premiership.
Rob McLean
Guest
Pittard's an interesting one. Is he the lad that Mark Williams dubbed the professor when he drafted him as he was asking plenty of, precocious, questions about coaching etc? I'm assuming you're a Port man, Ben. What are your thoughts on Kane Mitchell? Whenever I watch him play, I hold my breath. I always figure Port have a big chink in their armour when he's in the side.