An objective view of your favourite AFL player
Welcome.
This blog is being developed by the GCFFL in response to many requests that we share the special information we have about Australian Rules Football (AFL) players.
This information will assist readers if they are thinking of putting any money on that player (or players) to win the Brownlow Medal - the best and fairest medal for the AFL.
Feel free to comment on what our select group of writers has to say about the players. We welcome any suitable comments about players in our great competition. However, be warned that the language of the player reviews can sometimes get a little "fruity". So do not read on if such language offends.
All stupid, racist or sexist remarks will be removed.
GC
Blog coordinator.
posted by Gerry @ 11:05 am
1 Comments:
Nick Riewoldt
Nick Riewoldt's emergence as one of the stars of the A.F.L is now almost complete. Having the enviable luxury of picks one and two in the 2000 Draft, speculation abounded as to who Saint Kilda would opt for. The Saints surprised no-one when they plunged wholeheartedly for the boy from Queensland, despite the fact he had missed most of 1999 with injury.
Four years on, and the decision to draft player 1832, Nicholas Riewoldt as 'the Saints' first pick seems destined to pay handsomely as Riewoldt is widely acclaimed as the league's leading player.
As a marking forward in an era of marking forwards, Riewoldt has no equal. The league is littered with forwards of remarkable acclaim. The sheer power of Warren Tredrea and Jonathon Brown, the aweswome speed of Chris Tarrant, the accuracy of Barry Hall and the dogedness of David Nietz.
Yet, somehow, each of these players, as brilliant as they are, have weaknesses of one sort or another. Not Riewoldt. His game is unparallelled in the modern era. His game is defined by several key components; relentless presentation, superb timing, fearlessness, an insatiable appetite for overhead marking and a body that lends itself to the gruelling Centre Half Forward position.
One of the main reasons for Riewoldt's transcendence is his brilliant aerial skill. Riewoldt's ability to 'work to a contest' is only superceeded by the sheer weight of times he does so and the ease at which he completes the task. As an indicator to the efficiency of this aspect of his game, his career marking average is close to 10. When one considers that of this average, 6 are in the 50 metre radius and 5 are contested grabs, one begins to recognise the monumental effect Riewoldt can have.
Perhaps the one area that impresses even the sternest judges is the courage that this remarkable young man displays in the cauldron of the AFL. Riewoldt not only presents himself leading forward to the ball, but is happy to scurry backwards towards oncoming traffic. Undeniably, this warms the hearts of all Saints supporters as the example set is one of unegotiable strength.
Equally, it would be fair to say that Riewoldts undeniable courage also threatens incredible ruin to both himself and his club, should he meet the 'fat' of a stampeding pack.
Given that Riewoldt has suffered a terribly unfortunate injury in the first round of the 2005 season, it would be irresponsible to suggest that he could figure in Brownlow calculations.
That said, a player made from the cloth that he is, half a season may be all that he needs.
Player honours: best and fairest 2002, 2004; All-Australian 2004; International Rules Series 2004; AFLPA MVP 2004; National AFL Rising Star 2002; pre-season premiership side 2004.
Macca - GCFFL Premiership coach 2001-2002
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