AF 2015 Profile: Chad Wingard

[ADEZ]

Age: 21
67 games/95 goals
181 cm/ 81 kg

2012: 48.3 (19 H&A games)
2013: 87.4 (22 H&A games)
2014: 77.5 (21 H&A games)

2014 scores:
100   102   73  INJ  62  85   70   100   BYE  73   18   125   72  99  40   61   76   68  52   70  58   119   106   |FINALS|  106  89   46

7 x 100+ (29%)
3 x 80 - 99 (13%)
9 x 79 - 60 (37%)
5 x <60 (21%)


2013 Review (credit: PAFC website):
A John Cahill Medal, Showdown Medal, All-Australian selection and Supporters' MVP were listed along Wingard's name at the end of the 2013 season.
He won games - particularly Showdown XXXV - off his own boot and blitzed his teammates in the best and fairest count after Round 8.
Recognised with All-Australian selection as a result of his breakout year, Wingard became a household name and elevated himself to star status at Port Adelaide.

2014 Review:
It's no secret that Wingard's 2014 was a step backwards in terms of output although he still kicked that same number of goals (41). This perceived drop in output was a result of decreased midfield time as a result of the increased midfield minutes of Wines and Gray, the inclusion of White and Polec and the inability of Monfries to string games together. In 2013 he collected over 20 disposals 17 times, an achievement he only managed 4 times on 2014. Going off stats alone, he still had an excellent season for a small forward kicking the 5th most goals of small forwards and averaged 16 d. (10 k., 6 hb.), 4 m., and 3 t. and managed to finish 9th in Port's B&F.

For the most part of this year, he looked to be continuing in the same upwards trajectory as over his first 11 games (Excluding subbed game where he was on track for 50 DT nonetheless) up until round 14 he averaged 18 disposals and kicked 26.14 on his way to a solid average of 89. His next 7 games is the reason why it appears he had such a poor year as managed he just 5.10 and and averaged a lowly 60. He finished the season well kicking 12.7 (averaging 93) over his last 5 games (including 3 finals).

In 2014, as a small forward, he was very reliant on team success (or vice-versa?) averaging 84 over 15 wins and 66 in 9 losses (most during his form slump). With the improvement of Port's midfield brigade and the fact that he's still developing, I can't see him having as much midfield in time in 2015 as he did in '13 but I expect him to have more than this year particularly if Monfries can stay fit (and avoid suspension) and Neade can lock down a position...When Cornes retires I see Wingard playing 70/30 midfield but till then expect him to continue crafting his talents as a small forward that pinch hits in the midfield often.

Positives:
- Very young
- In a strong side that's gotten stronger
- Has the ability to score very well
- Shown pretty reasonable durability
- Will be very affordable, potentially underpriced
- He will improve
- Potential of more midfield minutes

Negatives:
- Very inconsistent - anyone that had him this year would be used to his 10 point first halves, 60 points second halves
- May continue primarily as a small forward

Prediction:
Last year I done a write up and blindsided by my man-love, I over looked the fact that he was likely to get decreased midfield minutes and predicted 90 odd, I'll try to be much more conservative this time 81 - 86, is a slight chance for me as a cheap choice for F4 behind Buddy, Gray and Dusty

[pommyadam]

as a cheap F4 behind those 3? :o
seriously weakened in 1 line then (Rocky + rooks in midfield I dare say)

would be an F2 in my provisional side (midline Jelwood, Redden, Hanners, Scooter, ASwallow, and 1.6m spare for 8 rooks)

he may improve, but he just seems too inconsistent for mind, which turns me off him
and I kinda like my players to slowly accumulate, rather than perform in patches

[ADEZ]

as a cheap F4 behind those 3? :o
seriously weakened in 1 line then (Rocky + rooks in midfield I dare say)

would be an F2 in my provisional side (midline Jelwood, Redden, Hanners, Scooter, ASwallow, and 1.6m spare for 8 rooks)

he may improve, but he just seems too inconsistent for mind, which turns me off him
and I kinda like my players to slowly accumulate, rather than perform in patches

Was more of an after thought ::) and I can't think of any safe options after Buddy, Dusty and to an extent Gray, not having at least 2 could make for a risky forward line...

I agree that he's a frustrating player to have and is to reliant on goals/patches of brilliance

[Mr.Craig]

You can add Jack Ziebell Award to his honours. ;)

Agree that he'll be around that 81-86 ballpark. Will be an upgrade for me if anything.

[Noz]

Lock him in for number 1 forward next year.

[Mr.Craig]

Lock him in for number 1 forward next year.

I think you're taking the number 1 Noz.

[powersuperkents]

He doesn't have the ceiling. Great AFL player but last years fiasco makes me think his potential is in SC. If he becomes more consistent I could see him average a 'Fyfe 100' - which would be fantastic for a forward but not the best case scenario for a mid - but unless that happens I can't see him breaking 90 this season. Needs to raise that DT ceiling imo