Brownlow Medal Player Review

Brendan Goddard (posted by Macca)

Brendan Goddard

188/80, right-foot dual-sided, bottom-age.

6'2" ruckrover-type midfielder who can play tall or small. No obvious fault. Clearly #1 pick. Ready for AFL 2003.

Style like Michael Tuck (but better kicking style).

"Genuine footballer - a ball magnet who does his job extremely well without fuss and is wherever the ball is", rather than a spectacular "magic" type. Is consummate all-round professional footballer – “the footballer’s’ footballer”. Exceptional footy smarts, strong overhead, excellent disposal, quick hands, deceptive pace and athleticism.

When we compare players rated similarly (ie Salopek and Goddard)Both Goddard and Salopek are very consistent, and natural on-field "leaders by example". Physically, if you saw Goddard and Salopek walking side by side without knowing who they were, you'd pick Salopek as a footballer (great built, posture, cool-dude "man's man" look, air of assurance). By comparison, Goddard would look like his non-sporting side-kick - hunched shoulders, dorky darkish/reddish hair style, walks like he carries the world on his shoulders and his posture projects a somewhat introverted persona. Despite appearances, I’d like to have Goddard standing next to me in the trenches. He has a nice combination of self-confidence, courage and never-say-die. And he's too smart and slippery to ever get shot.

Both Goddard and Salopek are serious talents. They are both the real deal. And I rate Goddard significantly above Salopek.

A tall midfielder but, in the right circumstances, could probably play almost anywhere.

- Never seems to be rushed - always seems in cruise mode.

- Serious footy smarts.

- Uses ball so well, hand or foot, either side, short or long, weighted or worm-burner. Can do a 45m pin-point pass off basically one step.

- He routinely gets the trajectory of his kicks perfect – the right depth, power, direction and weighting – they don’t hospital float or go so hard the team-mate can’t run onto them at a comfortable pace. Even kicks through traffic. Same can be said about his handballing. Gets terrific depth to his kicks with apparent ease. Is not a Rocca but 60m is certainly not beyond him – and reliably.

- Very clean hands. He is one-grab – aerially or below the knee. Very quick hands. He routinely picks up and feeds in the one motion – and to a target.

- Has terrific vision, awareness, poise under pressure.

- Excellent traffic management. Finds space in traffic amazingly well. Is very slippery, never seems to get caught. Seems mentally a step ahead of other players. Is very adept at centre bounce clearances. He gets his own ball and a very high percentage of his possessions are hard-ball gets.

- Importantly, whatever he can do, he can do at pace (where appropriate).

- Excellent decision-making. A very quick, creative mind. Doesn’t get flustered, has seemingly intuitive awareness of players around him, knows how to slip into space to give himself added time, picks the right option and makes up his mind quickly.

- Reads the play so well and covers a stack of ground in what often resembles perpetual motion. Is all over the ground, always seems to be where he needs to be. A ball-magnet. Eg He can break from serious traffic in the back pocket , deliver a quick feed, run 20 to apply a block, then pop up 3 plays later in the forward pocket. I’d probably describe him as a “mopper-upper”. His natural style seems to be to come from just behind the play. He is very good at dropping a kick behind play. He also reads the ball so well – both aerially and at ground level.

- Strong overhead. Huge leap, even from a standing start. Is not a Carey but does regularly take contested pack marks from the front, the back or inside. He doesn’t need a ride – he can float across to mark from an “impossible” position. Is also very good at selectively flying over the top of the rucks at throw-ins to feed to a team-mate.

- Excellent balance. He keeps his eyes on the ball and keeps his feet. Has cat-like recovery.

- Excellent evasion skills, in various ways.

- His pace and acceleration are deceptive. Occasionally looks slow but he plays within himself wherever possible. He is not greased lightning by any means but, despite appearances, he is very quick off the mark and can run the lines. Loves a bounce or two and, when he goes for one of his dashes, he normally looks to be cruising – until you notice they don’t look like catching him.

- Excellent work and team ethic in every regard, including leadership. Seems to have good people skills & good brain on and off the field. eg blocking, “dummy marking” blocking, talking, encouraging, directing traffic, concentrating hard at the coach’s huddles, one-percenters, chasing hard, fierce and effective tackling.

Query:


Some stats:

In 2001, Played just 4 TAC games but averaged 30 disposals, 6 marks and picked up a BOG and a 2nd BOG in the Morrish Medal. Missed some games due to a July injury and has school commitments. In his first game back after injury, 29 disposals against Salopek’s side. Averaged 19 disposals from 7 games as a 16yo.

In the U18 Championships had 19 disposals (6 marks) and 29 disposals (5 marks) in his 2 completed games (injured early in the 3rd).

P.S. Barracks for Carlton. (Some will see that as OK, others as a character weakness, so I’ve left it til last).

posted by Gerry @ 6:24 pm