With Clubs often reluctant to sacrifice one or more ball winners to play exclusively defensive or tagging roles, the ‘accountable’ midfielder has become an important part of a team’s composition.
Skipper Nathan van Berlo, who has played negating roles on dangerous onballers including Brent Harvey, Marc Murphy, Josh Kennedy, Stephen Hill and Danyle Pearce this season, is Adelaide’s first-choice stopper. However, another Crow has stepped up to help shut down the opposition’s prime movers.
Former rookie Matt Wright assumed the job on Richmond star Trent Cotchin a fortnight ago after van Berlo was substituted out of the game with blurred vision at half-time. In Balfours Showdown XXXIII on Saturday night, Wright started the game opposed to Port Adelaide acting-captain Travis Boak. The skilful midfielder still collected 20 possessions, five inside 50ms and a game-high eight tackles. He was also involved in eight Adelaide scores.
Left out of the side for the opening three matches of the season, Wright hasn’t looked back since being recalled to the team to play Greater Western Sydney in round five. He’s averaging 18 possessions rotating between the midfield and forward line, impressing coach Brenton Sanderson with his skills around the stoppages.
“Sometimes you have to watch the replay to see some of the things, and fully appreciate what Matty does,” Sanderson said.
Wright said he was enjoying his new role, learning from some of the game’s best players.
“It wasn’t so much a hard tag, but more of a run-with role,” Wright told afc.com.au.
“Boak is a fantastic player, and we have to be very mindful of stopping the opposition’s gun midfielder. I’ve played more of an accountable midfielder-type role.
“Before this year, I hadn’t done a whole heap of it but I really enjoy the role. Playing on the elite players of the competition, you can pick their brains a bit. If I can take one or two things from each player each week it’s only going to help me as a midfielder.
“I really enjoy playing through the guts, so when the opportunities arise I really have to take them.”
Van Berlo, who was unable to train until Thursday last week because of the heavy knock he sustained against the Tigers, made a remarkable return against the Power.
The hard-working onballer kept Danyle Pearce to a mere 15 possessions, while amassing 26 of his own. Teammate David Mackay praised van Berlo for his selfless contribution to the team.
“VB is such an important player. He just plays his role and is so reliable,” Mackay said.
“He works hard at his game and it’s a credit to him that he’s able to come out and get results like he got tonight. It just helps the team.”
