The two South Australian teams would be an intriguing combination if they were merged into one line-up.
The 22 players who make up the experimental squad I have formulated should make for good talking points, as I have chosen the players I believe will perform well in the upcoming AFL season.
Crows, Power
Coach: Don Pyke (Crows)
Captain: Brad Ebert (Power)B: Luke Brown (Crows), Daniel Talia (Crows), Kyle Hartigan (Crows)
HB: Matthew Broadbent (Power), Jack Hombsch (Power), Rory Laird (Crows)
C: Hamish Hartlett (Power), Travis Boak (Power), Richard Douglas (Crows)
HF: Mitch McGovern (Crows), Tom Lynch (Crows), Tom Rockliff (Power)
F: Eddie Betts (Crows), Taylor Walker (Crows), Robbie Gray (Power)Foll: Paddy Ryder (Power), Rory Sloane (Crows), Brad Ebert (Power)
Int: Justin Westhoff (Power), Sam Gray (Power), Jack Watts (Power), Steven Motlop (Power)
Coach
Don Pyke is the better of the two coaches. He coached the Crows to a grand final last season, while the Power got knocked out in the first week of the finals.
(Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Captain
Brad Ebert plays his role every week without any fuss and is a part of the Power leadership group. He lets his footy do the talking.
Back line
Luke Brown is a talented small defender. Daniel Talia is possibly the best full back in the competition and can shut down the opposition’s number one tall forward.
Kyle Hartigan is an attacking defender who uses the ball efficiently. Jack Hombsch should never have been let go by the Giants as he’s a defender with a lot of ability. Matthew Broadbent and Rory Laird are half back flankers who are assets when their team has possession.
Midfield
Hamish Hartlett is a player who can operate through a half back flank as well as on the wing, while Richard Douglas can push up onto the forward line and cause damage on the scoreboard. Travis Boak is a good leader and can play through the middle of the ground.
(Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Forward line
Tom Lynch can lead up to a wing and provide a target. He is a dangerous half forward who can get a lot of the ball and create havoc for opposition defenders.
Mitch McGovern is a mid-sized forward who is hard to find a match-up for. He doesn’t get a lot of possession but can cause damage on the scoreboard. Tom Rockliff can push up into the midfield, creating more rotations for his team, and can also play a role on the half forward flank.
Followers
Although Paddy Ryder was named as All Australian ruckman last season, he just edges Sam Jacobs out for the ruck position as he is versatile and can push forward.
Rory Sloane and Brad Ebert are two players with truckloads of ability. I don’t know why the Eagles let Ebert go, as he is one of the most underrated players I have seen. Sloane is an automatic selection as he can be extremely damaging when he gets an opportunity to play in the middle of the ground.
Interchange bench
Justin Westhoff is one of the best utility players in the AFL. He predominantly plays on the half forward line but is also able to fill a role in defence or could even play as a second ruckman if needed.
Sam Gray has been a revelation since breaking his way into the Power team. He is normally in the forward line but can push into the midfield if required.
Jack Watts has had a good preseason, coming off a disastrous 2017 season with the Demons. He has the ability to be a valuable utility player for the Power. Steven Motlop is a matchwinner and should be utilised off the bench and play on the burst.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
Like the try but: - An Ebert can't captain a combined side. - Charlie Dixon is clearly the best FF - Richard Douglas struggles to make the Crows best 22. - Matt Crouch (an error obviously) - Westoff does not make a team with Lynch - Hartigan is not best 22 - Watts is not Melbourne best 22 so does not get a gig. - Motlop?
Sammy
Guest
Why would the crows want to reduce the talent of their team..currently they have been selected by roar voters as a lock for no 1 this year..adding in puffplayers only weakens the side??
Vocans
Guest
Black and white will go with any colours - red, blue, yellow - but teal!! No go. No merger.
truetigerfan
Guest
Awesome post Jonboy. Would have fancied running around on the wing 30 years ago! Good job. About time you put everyone in their places! Do worry about team morale though, a few personality clashes in there I think!
Jonboy
Guest
True tiger check the fairytale site your in the Roar footy team.
Jonboy
Guest
Very true tiger.
truetigerfan
Guest
Yet his inspiration was sadly lacking when it counted in the big one last year. Good decision to bypass him, Doran.
Powerboy
Guest
I couldn't be bothered reading this. That somebody actually wasted some hours of their life doing so is astounding. I suggest that in order to make sense next time, Doran, try combining Atletico Madrid with the Utah Jazz.
Rex
Guest
Did you say puffs - est. 1997??
Earl
Guest
Looking forward to seeing who gets left out of the Swans/GWS team.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
It’s merely a hypothetical exercise.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Sorry I left M.Crouch out in error.
BigAl
Guest
Brad Ebert Captain ? You say " He lets his footy do the talking.", but a captain is not there just because he is a very good player. They also have to bring inspiration, and one of the best in the AFL at this is Tex Walker !! And you bypassed him ??? . . . durrrh !
Jorge from Bvegas
Guest
First impressions are startling, and have not changed as the minutes wore on. I am unsure if the author is bored with the preseason and is wanting to ‘light up ‘ the comments section all week, otherwise I can not fathom a justification for several players. The most obvious, and no personal egress intended, but ‘HTF???’ Hamish Hartlet plays in a combined side which doesn’t include a Crouch brother, Bryce Gibbs, Chad Wingard, Ollie Wines, Sam Powell Pepper........... is incredulous.The fact non of these players made it to the bench or emergency list beggars belief. If I wasn’t a Lions man and didn’t know Rocky’s game completely I would be questioning his place as well, though he is a perfect player in a great position for the merged team. The midfield has to have a different mix and besides being a selfless, tireless, workhorse of high integrity and standard, Travis Boak doesn’t make that midfield.In a similar vein neither does Richard Douglas. The bench is I truly believe Doran, you are taking the piss. Picking Sam Gray is like Hamish H, just doesn’t come close in making that team. While for lack of consistency and going missing in games, you cannot justify Watts. On field:- I would swap out Broadbent for Gibbs, HH for Matt Crouch,Travis Boak for Ollie Wines and Richard Douglas for Chad Wingard. The bench:- Sam Gray for Brad Crouch, Jack Watts for Charlie Dixon. Motlop and SPS would be fighting for that last bench spot. I actually think Ebert would be an inspired Captaincy choice, he is an elite midfielder who can do it all, he is the Smooth operator who in this team of stars can navigate in a Teflon like way. Your justification of who coaches is chicken or egg like but simplistically accurate. I think either coach may have a reasonable for and against record with this team. Bono Chance boys.
Mish
Guest
No Dixon at FF? Boak, Hartlett and Sam Gray but no Matt Crouch? Hmmm.
Rex
Guest
Wow - no place for the crows reigning B&F in M Crouch?? Lost me!
Gyfox
Guest
You could never merge a team that is a franchise with a real footy club boasting 148 years of history!