Brad Symes (Central)
Kicks 15 / Marks 13 / Handballs 20 / Goals 1 / Tackles 4

While Brad Symes hasn’t been a regular in the Power team during 2007, he’s one of a number of players ensuring those in the Power line up are at the top of their game.

Symes has played six AFL matches this season and every match in the SANFL has been of the highest quality. In Round 20 SANFL action, Symes made it impossible for Power Development Coach, Darren Trevena not to select him as the Cibo Glenelg SANFL Power Player of the Week.

Trevena told PortAdelaideFC.com.au that he was especially impressed by Symes’ versatility.

“A lot of his touches were in and around the ball, getting a lot of the contested ball. He had a good mixture of contested ball and running receives as well and his use of the ball was very good,” he said.

“They tried to run with him but they couldn’t keep up. I think his use (of the ball) has been really good and other areas, like getting contested ball, is something that he’s worked into his game as well and he’s been excellent. Be it a stoppage ball, a contested mark or a ground ball, I think he’s been really good in that area.

“A lot of his tackles came in the midfield. Rather than sitting back, I think he has come into a bit of a different role and had to develop his tackling in close and he’s done that really well.”

In all there were 16 Power players in the SANFL. A number have tasted AFL and these reviews from Trevena from the weekend just gone suggest they’re keen to be back in the big time.

Robbie Gray (West Adelaide)
K 8 / M 5 / HB 5 / G 2 / T 1
“It was Robbie’s first game back from injury and he played very well. He did some very special things through the middle. His clearances were good and he finished up with a couple of goals. I’m sure in the next few weeks he’ll put pressure on the Power side.”

Ryan Willits (West Adelaide)
K 9 / M 6 / HB 3 / G 3 / T 1
“Ryan played at centre half-forward and kicked 3.1. He had some nice passages of play and the first ten minutes of every quarter was really good and he showed some really good signs. He improved on previous weeks.”

Adam Cockshell (Norwood)
K 8 / M 6 / HB 5 / G 0 / T 1 / HO 10
“Adam played a different role in the ruck this week and had a few hit-outs and got into the game. He showed some glimpses that we wouldn’t have seen before and I think he enjoyed the role. He’ll get better and better as he learns to play that position.”

Hugh Minson (Norwood)
K 3 / M 4 / HB 5 / G 0 / T 0 / HO 7
“Hugh took a couple of nice contested marks as he rucked and spent time on the bench. All the game time he gets at league level sees him developing as a player.”

Nick Lower (Norwood)
K 17 / M 8 / HB 10 / G 2 / T 5
“Nick had a fantastic game. He was tough and hard and did everything we wanted. He used the ball reasonably well and was very good playing up the ground. He was unlucky not to be our player of the week.”

Matt Thomas (Norwood)
K 18 / M 7 / HB 9 / G 0 / T 3
“Matt played off a half-back flank. He ran well and was tough, his tackling and his assistance to the back line was good. The only thing with Matt was that he was a little bit rusty after being out with his knee injury.”

Ryan Williams (Central)
K 11 / M 4 / HB 4 / G 2 / T 1
“Ryan was pretty good early and then he had a heavy knock and went off. He came back on and had an influence on the game and for him to do that was a big tick next to his name. He’s been adapting to that level quite well and his versatility has been good.”

Damon White (North Adelaide)
K 9 / M 8 / H 2 / G 3 / T 0
“Damon had an excellent first half. He took seven contested marks and presented very well. In the third quarter the ball didn’t go forward as much so his supply stopped and it kept him out of the game. If he had a second half like his first half, he could have been our SANFL player of the round.”

Nathan Lonie (North Adelaide)
K 18 / M 7 / HB 6 / G 2 / T 1
“Lonie was very good again off the wing. He ran hard and kicked the ball inside 50 several times and kicked 2.1. It was a good game after being dropped.”

Nathan Krakouer (Port Adelaide)
K 2 / M 0 / HB 6 / G 0 / T 1
“Nathan played a bit across half-forward. He missed a shot early and that was probably the story of his day. He only had about eight touches and it was a bit of a disappointing game from him. I’m sure he’ll turn things around next week.”

Darryl Wakelin (Port Adelaidea)
K 12 / M 9 / HB 7 / G 0 / T 1
“Wakes played a bit up forward and finished down back. He worked pretty hard on a guy that was getting a lot of the ball. It looks like his injuries are gone now and he’s looking to get back into the Power side to play finals footy.”

Greg Bentley (Sturt)
K 8 / M 4 / HB 11 / G 0 / T 3
“Greg played a bit off half-back and on-ball. He handballed well in close and ran pretty hard. He probably needs to come up a notch. He set his benchmark and he just needs to come up a notch to put pressure on the Power side.”

Gavin Grose (North Adelaide reserves)
“Gavin played a bit in the back line and then in the forward line in the last quarter. He looked to run and create from the back line and took a couple of contested marks up forward as well. It was a solid game from Gav.”

Paul Stewart (Eagles reserves)
“Paul was back from his injury and read the ball well and picked off a couple of kicks from the opposition. His use of the ball was reasonably good, although some of his use was special and some was down a bit as well so he was a bit inconsistent. Overall it was a good game back.”

Peter Hardy (Sturt reserves)
“Peter was very good on-ball and at half-forward. He’s getting to the level now where he’s starting to put pressure on Sturt’s senior side. His work rate was good and he was pretty clean and was confident in himself. He’s getting back to what we’ve seen from him in the past.”

Come back to PortAdelaideFC.com.au next week to see who Darren Trevena awards the Cibo Glenelg SANFL Player of the Week award to.