Integral Impact | Round 5 V Port Adelaide

Written by Nathan Sepe



Defence: Adam Saad 

Of course, defensively it was not the night for the Baggers, with poor transitioning and running a major downfall on the night. However in saying this us as fans might not see the impact individuals have on the night, and statistically Saad stood up where others failed to, being the most effective on the night. This is the second time Saad has featured as defender of the week this year.

Saad totalled 18 disposals on the night, going at 78% disposal efficiency and 72% kicking efficiency, 10 from 14 kicks effective, which was relatively similar to most of our defenders come the end of the night. Saad played his role much better than others, with his direct opponent Amon scoreless on the night, which although seems irrelevant to the score line, could have made the margin a lot worse as Port Adelaide’s scoring involvements coming heavily through their small forwards. Saad totalled up 5 intercepts throughout the match and had key moments where he was able to break out of the half back line and find a runner down the line. With this came three scoring involvements from Saad. Saad ranked third for the Baggers in tackles with five, which seems like a smaller number however was on the upper end of the pressure scale, where at times no momentum of pressure seemed to stay for substantial periods. Again, Saad ranked third for pressure acts with 20 throughout the night, averaging 5 a quarter. The trend of third continued for Saad, with five one percenters throughout the night. His ability to read the ball whilst managing his opponent is an important asset for this team that struggles to find leaders who will control the ground. Whilst he may not have stood out last night, Saad did his job and kept his opponent quiet, which is the fundamental job as a defender. 

Midfield: Sam Walsh

Unsurprisingly his fourth time as best midfielder of the week, Walsh showed nothing less than fight and determination throughout the entirety of the match, leaving us as supporters to scratch our heads and wonder where this effort is from the others. Nonetheless, Walsh was fantastic again with his array of skills and running a key to keeping us competitive in centre bounces or stoppages at most times throughout the match where playing our way was hard to come by. 

Walsh totalled 29 disposals on the night going at 83% disposal efficiency and 75% kicking efficiency. Walsh totalled 13 contested possessions, which poses very impressive when you look at the disposal efficiency. The pressure and run on Walsh was super impressive yet again, running 15km to finish off the game, a distance that was only closely comparative to Cottrell. The effort of his run is also backed up by the statistics, with a team high 32 pressure acts, nearly double the second best amount of pressure acts for the Baggers.  Walsh had a significant impact around the stoppages and centre bounces, with three centre clearances and five stoppage clearances. Second best for the Baggers, Walsh totalled 6 tackles just under Ed’s seven, yet again proving his pressure and grit in a side that struggles to maintain it for four quarters. Walsh did his work moving the ball up forward with eight scoring involvements, best in that area for the Baggers on the night. It is the same for Walsh week in, week out and we can hope as supporters that this is a trait imprinted in every player come the next week and the week after. Yet again another terrific performance from Walsh.  

Forward: Lachie Fogarty

The forward line never seemed to click throughout the night; however, it was the little things from Fogarty that counted on a night where skills did not do us any favours. Fogarty has fit in well to our side with a real determination to perform to a high standard each week, knowing his position is easily replaceable with youngsters knocking on the door such as Stocker. Fogarty plays his role week in, week out and this week was another display of his ability to control the ball around the ground. 

Fogarty finished the night disappointingly when taking a look stats wise, however his impact without ball in hands stood out more when you, consider the poor night the whole side had. Fogarty finished with 16 touches at 63% disposal efficiency, with seven of those touches contested. Fogarty had a terrible night with kicking, as did most of the side, with himself going at 25% kicking efficiency. To Fogarty’s credit, he was able to get on the scoreboard with one goal to finish proceedings. Fogarty’s main source of impact came from his pressure, finishing the game with 24 pressure acts, a consistent effort from Fogarty all night, which was needed by more forwards throughout the night. It was an overall disappointing effort from the forward line, but the consistency of Fogarty throughout the season has earned him a mention as forward of the week.