Adam Cooney has named his top five players at both Adelaide and Port Adelaide, as well as a combined list ranking the top five players currently in South Australia.
Both lists have a mix of youngsters and veterans, highlighting the changing of the guard at both clubs.
See his lists below:
Adelaide’s top 5 players
5. Darcy Fogarty
“He had a breakout season and was terrific and got better as the year went on. His breakout means they’ll have a dangerous forward line next year.”
Andrew Hayes: “A big credit to Darcy Fogarty. Even early in the season, he was at the crossroads. For him to turn it around and not just find himself, but effectively be in the Crows’ best players, that’s a fantastic result.”
4. Ben Keays
“He certainly unlocked his potential.”
3. Jordan Dawson
“He has been a great recruit. Who could forget the goal after the siren in the Showdown.”
2. Taylor Walker
“He just keeps on keeping on. Kicked 47 goals, he was terrific.”
1. Rory Laird
“He’s quite comfortably at number one. We showed the comparisons to Lachie Neale in terms of disposals and clearances and disposal efficiency and I don’t think there’s 47 players between Neale and Laird.”
Port Adelaide’s top 5 players
5. Ollie Wines
“He got enough footy to probably finish top five in the club’s best and fairest. He dropped away a little bit, but still in their top five players.”
4. Dan Houston
“He’s just a terrific ball-user, a good decision maker and had a great season.”
3. Travis Boak
“Travis Boak is still in the top three. We know how good he is and has been over a long period of time.”
2. Todd Marshall
“He rocketed to number two. He kicked 45 goals and stood up when the other key forwards were injured and I think a lot questioned where he was at as well and whether he would make it as that third key forward.”
1. Connor Rozee
“He was their clear number one and will comfortably win their best and fairest and was clearly their best player.”
“Don’t be surprised if he has a big summer and becomes one of the top five midfielders in the game.”
Combined top 5 at the South Australian clubs
5. Todd Marshall
4. Jordan Dawson
3. Taylor Walker
2. Rory Laird
1. Connor Rozee