Opinion
Even though there are only two AFL teams in South Australia, there’s a good group of players that are a part of the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power in this hypothetical Preseason Challenge Cup.
The leadership group would consist of two co-captains, one from each team; Travis Boak and Rory Sloane. Both of them have the ability to lead. The starting 22 is made up of ten Adelaide Crows players and 12 from the Port Adelaide Power. Check out the team.
Coach: Matthew Nicks (Adelaide Crows)
B: Ryan Burton (Port Adelaide Power), Daniel Talia (Adelaide Crows), Rory Laird (Adelaide Crows)
HB:) Brodie Smith (Adelaide Crows), Tom Doedee (Adelaide Crows), Wayne Milera (Adelaide Crows)
C: Tom Rockliff (Port Adelaide Power), Brad Crouch (Adelaide Crows), Karl Amon (Port Adelaide Power)
HF: Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide Power), Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide Power), Tom Lynch (Adelaide Crows)
F: Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide Power), Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide Power, Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide Power)
FOLL: Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide Crows), Travis Boak (co-captain – Port Adelaide Power), Rory Sloane (co-captain – Adelaide Crows)
I/C: Connor Rozee Port Adelaide Power), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide Power, Matt Crouch (Adelaide Crows), Oliver Wines (Port Adelaide Power)
Emg: Darcy Byrne-Jones (Port Adelaide Power), Tom Jonas (Port Adelaide Power), Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide Power), Steven Motlop (Port Adelaide Power)
Coach
Even though Matthew Nicks has only coached one AFL game, he would still be a good coach for this combined team.
Backs
Ryan Burton is a mobile defender who will prove to be a revelation for the Port Adelaide Power.
Daniel Talia was a part of 2019 AFL All-Australian squad; he is arguably the best fullback in the AFL.
Rory Laird creates plenty of run out of defence.
Halfbacks
Brodie Smith is now a part of the Adelaide Crows’ leadership group, which shows how highly thought of he is within the club.
Tom Doedee has joined the Adelaide Crows’ leadership group as well and has the capability to be a key tall defender, whether it be fullback or centre halfback.
Wayne Milera is a talented player that has the capability of creating plenty of run off a halfback flank.
Centres
Tom Rockliff has the ability to play on a wing and win plenty of the ball.
Brad Crouch won the 2019 Adelaide Crows Best and Fairest, and he can be a good asset in this team’s midfield.
Karl Amon averaged 19.6 disposals in 2019 and was named in the Port Adelaide Power best players on the AFL website in Round 1 of 2020, and he should perform well in the team.
Half-forwards
Xavier Duursma finished ninth in the 2019 Port Adelaide Power Best and Fairest. He is a talented player who has the ability to play on a half-forward flank.
Justin Westhoff is capable of playing centre half-forward. He is a talented utility who can play a number of roles.
Tom Lynch is a quality mobile tall forward who is capable of winning plenty of the ball and kicking goals playing as a centre half-forward.
Forwards
Robbie Gray was in the top ten in the 2019 Port Adelaide Power Best and Fairest and will bring experience to the line-up.
Scott Lycett has the capability of playing as a mobile tall forward and as a second ruckman.
Todd Marshall kicked two goals in Round 1 of season 2020; he has the potential to develop in the future as he should be given more game time.
Followers
Reilly O’Brien has the ability to be one of the best ruckmen in the AFL if he is given the opportunity to be the number one ruckman for a period of time where he can develop and grow.
Travis Boak is a player that has lots of ability not only as a midfielder but as a leader too. He leads from the front through his consistent performances.
Rory Sloane is the captain of the Adelaide Crows for season 2020 after finishing second in the 2019 Adelaide Crows Best and Fairest. He is a natural leader, has a good work rate and his application to the contest is impressive.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Interchange
Connor Rozee is a talented player that will improve as he gains more experience; he finished fourth in the 2019 Port Adelaide Power Best and Fairest.
Dan Houston finished third in the 2019 Port Adelaide Power Best and Fairest, which indicates what a quality player that he is.
Matt Crouch can win a lot of the ball. He averaged over 30 disposals a game in 2019.
Oliver Wines is a good player and is the vice-captain of the Port Adelaide Power team. He would benefit from playing less game time through the midfield in order to prevent him getting injured as he currently has a shoulder injury.
Emergencies
Darcy Byrne-Jones finished second in the 2019 Port Adelaide Power Best and Fairest, which indicates how tough it was to select the South Australian Preseason Challenge Cup team.
Tom Jonas finished equal fifth in the 2019 Port Adelaide Power Best and Fairest.
Sam Powell-Pepper is a player that needs to show more endeavour so he can apply his talent and become a better player.
Steven Motlop is an inconsistent player that has a lot of ability as he showed in Round 1 of season 2020, where he kicked two goals.
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