PORT Adelaide supporter and BigFooty user Craig McKay (Macca19 on BigFooty) rates his top five from Showdown XXXVI – with a few surprises.

Macca19’s Top 5
Brad Ebert

For me, Ebo was best on ground. Not only did he shut out Dangerfield in the midfield, he also won plenty of the football himself, put his body on the line numerous times....and the gut running. That gut running. Has to be one of the hardest working players in the competition and deserves more respect and credit than he currently receives. An elite game by an elite player. His work rate to get the ball dropping back in defence and then running hard to create options further up the field is out of this world.

Jackson Trengove
Thought he was high in our best players as well. Obliterated McKernan. Not only did he kill him, I thought he had plenty of influence in dropping back on other contests and his ruckwork was solid as well. Top game Jacko

Tom Jonas
Took Dangerfield to the cleaners up forward. Then went on to Betts and took him to the cleaners. Love TJ so much. Such a gun footballer and he deserves a lot more credit across the AFl for what he does. Was well inside our best player. Just knows what to do and when to do it, knows how to defend strongly and is always good with the ball. Such a hard worker as well. Will have a very long career with Port.

Hamish Hartlett
Glad he got the medal, even though I didnt have him as best on. His gut running was superb as well. Not only did he work hard across the ground, his contested work was probably the best ive ever seen it. So strong in the hips to shrug off tackles, so good with the ball in his hand. Is turning into the elite player we know he should be. Brilliant.

John Butcher
Only 11 touches, only 3 marks, just the 1 goal. But how bloody influential was he in the contest? That’s the best game I’ve seen him play, including the bag against the Dogs. His ability to keep the ball ahead of him in the contest and ensure that we won the ball was phenomenal. He won’t get many plaudits from the press for his game, but everyone I spoke to after the game thought he was a game changer. That’s why he needs to stay fit and continue to develop. Fantastic effort Butch.

Macca19’s best young player
Jack Hombsch

Good work on Johnston. I wonder if we will ever see Hombsch turn into a Chad Cornes style midfielder. I reckon he can. So strong over the ball and I absolutely adore how he can deliver the ball running at full tilt with a player on his hammer. Almost the best pressure kick in our side. Great performance. Must be a lock in our side now.