Porplyzia 'almost elite'

ADELAIDE forward Jason Porplyzia is well on his way to becoming an elite player in the AFL competition, according to coach Neil Craig.

Porplyzia, 24, kept the Crows in the game against the Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday booting two of his side’s three first-half goals.

The crafty forward kicked another two majors after half time including a classy running goal to seal the 16-point win.

Porplyzia also proved the difference in Adelaide’s win over North Melbourne prior to the break.

Porplyzia, who leads the club’s goalkicking with 30, emerged as a genuine match winner before succumbing to a shoulder injury last season.

Craig was full of praise for the former rookie after Saturday’s come-from-behind win.

“I’ve got a really high regard for Jason, not only because of his skill and his capacity to kick goals and execute, but his decision-making is also exceptional. And you saw last year (through him playing with a shoulder injury) what he can do from a mentality point of view,” Craig said after the game.

“Jason will develop into an elite AFL player, there’s no doubt in my mind because he’s got a great attitude and he’s mature for his age.

“Is he there yet? No, he isn’t because that takes time and to be exposed to a whole range of different pressures which Jason hasn’t been exposed to yet…but he’s well on his way.”

Craig was also pleased with the performance of former first-round draft pick Patrick Dangerfield.

Dangerfield, 19, finished with modest statistics of 12 possessions and two marks, but tellingly led Adelaide in clearances (six) and contested possessions (eight).

The hard-bodied Victorian was given former club champion Mark Ricciuto’s famous guernsey number 32 over the summer.

Craig said Dangerfield possessed the same attitude as Ricciuto.

“For a guy Patrick’s age, his attack on the footy is as good as I’ve seen in my involvement in footy. At such a young age, it’s exceptional…absolutely exceptional and it’s just natural for him; it’s not manufactured,” Craig said.

“He’s a powerful man. I think [assistant coach] Todd Viney made the comment the other day just in doing some stoppage work at training about how strong Patrick is.”