As the excitement builds for season 2019, we've taken a look at the best five games of new recruit Chad Wingard's career to date.
Round 19 2013
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
24 disposals, six marks, seven inside 50s, five goals
Wingard wreaked havoc in the two Showdowns of 2013 with this performance following a 25-possession, three-goal performance in his first win against Adelaide in Round 3 earlier that season. But this Round 19 performance has to take the cake as the highlight of his maiden All Australian year. At 19 years of age, Wingard was clearly the most influential player on the ground throughout the game. But the pinnacle of his night, a night when Football Park hosted its last ever game between these two bitter rivals, came in the final minute when Wingard clutched onto a centring kick before slotting home the game-winning goal, in a moment that defied his age and relative lack of experience.
Watch: Wingard's top ten goals
Round 8 2014
Port Adelaide vs Fremantle
17 disposals, five marks, three inside 50s, five goals
After sending off Football Park in fine fashion the year previous, Wingard was sure to welcome Adelaide Oval in in much the same way. The forward booted seven goals through his first two games at the venue before delivering his best performance at the ground yet in Round 8 against Fremantle. Wingard earned himself three Brownlow votes in this clash against the Dockers as he kicked five goals to prove the difference against the visitors. His bag of five included four second-half goals when the game was on the line. A true match-winning effort.
Round 15 2017
Port Adelaide vs Richmond
39 disposals, six marks, four tackles, 14 inside 50s, 10 clearances
Wingard showed a different side to his game in this clash against the 2017 eventual premiers. It was the type of match that wouldn’t typically be seen as one a man of Wingard’s stature might dominate with only 19 goals scored between the two sides for the night. Nevertheless dominate Chad did, with his tallies of disposals, inside 50s, clearances and contested possessions all game-highs.
Round 17 2017
Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne
30 disposals, six marks, five tackles, six inside 50s, six clearances, three goals
Wingard continued his purple patch of form in this duel against the Kangaroos. The 23-year-old once again earned three Brownlow votes as he proved influential in every area of the game. Of his six marks on the day, four were contested, registering a career-high for the two-time All Australian. This was the third game of arguably the best three-game stint of Wingard’s career, averaging 30 disposals, 14.3 contested possessions, 8.7 inside 50s, 7.7 clearances and 1.3 goals per game
Round 16 2018
Port Adelaide vs St Kilda
32 disposals, five tackles, nine inside 50s, five clearances
The best game of Wingard’s 2018 campaign came in the Power’s 36-point win over St Kilda in Round 16. The Saints struggled to contain the forward, polling three Brownlow votes for another outstanding performance. In what was ultimately a scrappy game at Adelaide Oval, Wingard provided a spark and a level of class that was otherwise unmatched across the field.
