THE LOCKERS have been emptied, the footballs put away and, now, all that’s left to do before the focus switches to ’09 is reflect on the season that was.
This year 37 players, including six debutants, pulled on the Port Adelaide guernsey and today portadelaidefc.com.au rounds out its review of the individual performances for the Power in 2008.
Nick Salter
Games: two
Salter, who was elevated from the club’s rookie list prior to round 18, enjoyed a dream start to his AFL career with two goals in less than half of football against St Kilda before a concussion ended his day. The country lad played just one more game with the Power before injuring his neck, but he has genuine talent.
Salter, who was elevated from the club’s rookie list prior to round 18, enjoyed a dream start to his AFL career with two goals in less than half of football against St Kilda before a concussion ended his day. The country lad played just one more game with the Power before injuring his neck, but he has genuine talent.
Paul Stewart
Games: 11
Stewart, who missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, impressed over the pre-season and was rewarded with an AFL debut in round one. The versatile defender impressed with his courage and offensive drive and picked up a career-high 22 possessions and nine marks against St Kilda in round 18.
Stewart, who missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, impressed over the pre-season and was rewarded with an AFL debut in round one. The versatile defender impressed with his courage and offensive drive and picked up a career-high 22 possessions and nine marks against St Kilda in round 18.
Jacob Surjan
Games: 19
The rugged half-back was squeezed out of the side in round 11, but fought his way back to play the last eight games. Surjan averaged 15 possessions and four marks in the young back line and will be looking to reaffirm his place in the best 22 next year.
The rugged half-back was squeezed out of the side in round 11, but fought his way back to play the last eight games. Surjan averaged 15 possessions and four marks in the young back line and will be looking to reaffirm his place in the best 22 next year.
Matt Thomas
Games: five
Thomas has managed just nine AFL games in his past two years with the Power after another injury-interrupted season. Thomas played the opening four games of 2008 before a plantar fascia tear and stress fractures in his feet ended his campaign.
Thomas has managed just nine AFL games in his past two years with the Power after another injury-interrupted season. Thomas played the opening four games of 2008 before a plantar fascia tear and stress fractures in his feet ended his campaign.
Adam Thomson
Games: seven
Thomson starred in his first game for the Power this year with 21 possessions and two goals against West Coast in round five. The gritty in and under player experienced groin soreness partway through the season and was, again, unable to establish himself as a regular in the Port Adelaide line up.
Thomson starred in his first game for the Power this year with 21 possessions and two goals against West Coast in round five. The gritty in and under player experienced groin soreness partway through the season and was, again, unable to establish himself as a regular in the Port Adelaide line up.
Toby Thurstans
Games: 16
Thurstans played 11 games straight before suffering a minor knee strain and returned after a month on the sidelines to play an important role in defence. The forward-turned-defender averaged 15 possessions and five marks on the opposition’s tallest forwards and ranked number one at the club in disposal efficiency (84 per cent).
Thurstans played 11 games straight before suffering a minor knee strain and returned after a month on the sidelines to play an important role in defence. The forward-turned-defender averaged 15 possessions and five marks on the opposition’s tallest forwards and ranked number one at the club in disposal efficiency (84 per cent).
Warren Tredrea
Games: 17
Tredrea, who kicked 31 goals for the second year running, appeared to rediscover freedom in his movement in 2008 and provided a strong target in attack. The skipper ranked third at the club in contested marks and marks inside 50 and booted bags of four on two occasions before his season ended with shoulder surgery after round 17.
Tredrea, who kicked 31 goals for the second year running, appeared to rediscover freedom in his movement in 2008 and provided a strong target in attack. The skipper ranked third at the club in contested marks and marks inside 50 and booted bags of four on two occasions before his season ended with shoulder surgery after round 17.
Justin Westhoff
Games: 21
The older Westhoff brother pushed further up the ground in his second AFL season and played the opening 12 games before going back for a one-week stint with Central Districts. The solitary game at Elizabeth served its purpose with Westhoff returning to the Power to kick 14 of his 22 goals in the last nine games. The lanky forward also finished the year ranked first at the club in contested marks.
The older Westhoff brother pushed further up the ground in his second AFL season and played the opening 12 games before going back for a one-week stint with Central Districts. The solitary game at Elizabeth served its purpose with Westhoff returning to the Power to kick 14 of his 22 goals in the last nine games. The lanky forward also finished the year ranked first at the club in contested marks.
Matthew Westhoff
Games: three
Westhoff, like Marlon Motlop, was plucked from SANFL reserves to make his AFL debut and did not disappoint. The Justin look-alike kicked three goals in three games and showcased his football smarts and strong marking ability. Westhoff picked up 12 touches, four marks and kicked 2.2 against Melbourne in round 21 and will be hungry for more AFL action in 2009.
Westhoff, like Marlon Motlop, was plucked from SANFL reserves to make his AFL debut and did not disappoint. The Justin look-alike kicked three goals in three games and showcased his football smarts and strong marking ability. Westhoff picked up 12 touches, four marks and kicked 2.2 against Melbourne in round 21 and will be hungry for more AFL action in 2009.
Damon White
Games: six
White, who also experienced an injury-interrupted year, didn’t break into the Power line up until round 14 when coach Mark Williams experimented with the versatile tall at centre half-back. The West Australian showed promise in his newfound position, but the club couldn’t afford to keep him there and White returned to the forward line to kick three goals against Carlton in round 19.
White, who also experienced an injury-interrupted year, didn’t break into the Power line up until round 14 when coach Mark Williams experimented with the versatile tall at centre half-back. The West Australian showed promise in his newfound position, but the club couldn’t afford to keep him there and White returned to the forward line to kick three goals against Carlton in round 19.
Ryan Williams
Games: two
Williams was another who showed his wares during the NAB Cup. The tough defender/midfielder enjoyed a super-consistent season with Central Districts and forced his way into the Port Adelaide side for round 19. Williams played in two tough losses with the Power, but has good speed and strength and is a player of the future.
Williams was another who showed his wares during the NAB Cup. The tough defender/midfielder enjoyed a super-consistent season with Central Districts and forced his way into the Port Adelaide side for round 19. Williams played in two tough losses with the Power, but has good speed and strength and is a player of the future.
Michael Wilson
Games: five
Wilbur always used to say he was one injury away from retirement and, unfortunately, this prediction came true in 2008. The much-loved veteran battled manfully to overcome a snapped achilles and returned to play a handful of games with the Power before suffering another serious knee complaint. A farewell lap around AAMI Stadium was hardly a fitting farewell for this club champion, but an accurate reflection of his utterly selfless nature.
Wilbur always used to say he was one injury away from retirement and, unfortunately, this prediction came true in 2008. The much-loved veteran battled manfully to overcome a snapped achilles and returned to play a handful of games with the Power before suffering another serious knee complaint. A farewell lap around AAMI Stadium was hardly a fitting farewell for this club champion, but an accurate reflection of his utterly selfless nature.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
