St Kilda v Richmond Round 5
It was here that Richmond was supposed to make a mark in the AFL, but the only real mark they left on the game was the 2 cm hairline fracture in Chris Hyde's head. It was a good effort all-round from St Kilda - particularly from an unfit Fraser Gehrig and Stephen Milne. However, the boys gave Nic Dal Santo the three votes mainly because of his dominance in the back lines and his willingness to run forward - he is a very fit young man! Two points to Stephen Milne in one of his best and most elusive games for the year. The one vote was difficult to find but Shane Tuck's individual and yet unheralded effort probably helped make Richmond look better than they really were.
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Round 5
What a disappointing game for all Adelaide supporters. Not so much the way they played, but more the way they just lay down and let the Bulldogs run over them in the third quarter. Clearly the player of the game was Luke Darcy. Six goals, mainly in that crucial third quarter, saw him almost single-handedly turn the game. Adelaide had no match for him. However, it must be said that he was well fed by the Bulldogs midfield, particularly Scott West whom we gave 2 votes. A single vote went to Daniel Giansiracusa most probably because his efforts for the whole game meant that he was so exhausted that he could not keep down the water being offered by the trainer!
Hawthorn v Kangaroos Round 5
In a match that never reached great heights, finding the best players was a matter of working out who made the fewest errors - particularly in the Hawthorn side. There is much to look forward to with this team, but not this year. For the Kangaroos, the player who did most to sway the direction of the game was big Saverio Rocca whom we awarded the 3 votes for the games. His goals and strong presence in the forward line could not be matched, particularly early, by his opponent.
For sheer number of possessions you could not go past Chance Bateman for the 2 votes. He presented himself all game and was willing to run through the lines and go forward rather than sideways. The final vote probably went to Daniel Harris.
Round 4 Kangaroos v Collingwood
The tempo of the AFL has lifted as various teams remove the flooding shackles and, as a result, the recent games have been great to watch. Makes you want to be in Melbourne to watch the ANZAC day game live! There were a lot of hard working footballers in this game and many left their mark. To me it was hard to go pass the sheer brilliance of Daniel Wells. His control of the ball (and his body) was mesmerising and, at times, pivotal in keeping the Kangaroos in the game. He must have surely scored some Brownlow votes - I predict at least two. The top vote was harder to give - but reluctantly I would have to hand it over to Shannon Grant who seemed to be everywhere at the right time. Very closely followed behind him was Scott Burns who started slowly, but then racked up possessions, many contested, to get Collingwood back in the game. Glenn Archer may also have had an impact on the votes, particularly for his first half performance.
Brisbane v Sydney Round 3
What a game- again, particularly after 3/4 quarter time. Brisbane had it by the neck and had squeezed the life out of Sydney. Sydney seemed to be content to play their usual "down-the-flanks" in short passes game but it was getting them nowhere. Akermanis was doing the job of the fabulous five on his own, as Luke Power had been shut down and Voss and Lappin were still suffering or recovering from injury.
The Roos had a big spray and Sydney were transformed. Straight down the middle, effective use of handball in the centre, then long kicks to full forward and they had cut a 30+ margin to nothing. Big Barry Hall capped off a victory after the siren - probably one they did not deserve.
Akermanis must win the three votes for a consistent effort all game. However, not far behind him should be a new shining light from Sydney - Luke Ablett. Relatively obscure last year (despite his famous surname) he played strongly for 8 marks and 11 contested possessions. However, it was his poise and skill that stood out and in my mind should earn him two points. Daniel Bradshaw did his job but never strikes me as outstanding - certainly he is no Lynch. Probably the one vote should go to Jude Bolton - who was also involved all night without stamping his authority.
Collingwood v Carlton Round 3
Shades of Collingwood v Adelaide last week with a pretty woeful first half - particularly by Collingwood, but also by the big Carlton twins, Fevola and Whitnall. Tarrant being dragged just before half time was a sign that all was not well in the Pies camp.
Despite the temperature, both teams burst out of the blocks after half time, scoring an astonishing 15 goals. But none more so that Chris Tarrant who, after waking up, decides to put on a display which shows why he could be one of the great players of our time. From having 3 possessions, 1 mark and 0 goals to half time, to then turn it around and complete the game with 10 possessions, 7 marks and 5 goals was just astonishing. Clearly, though, the person who kept the Magpies in the game and then helped them win it was Paul Licuria - for me, a second Best-on-Ground performance in two weeks. He was everywhere. Very close behind him, but not quite as effective was Nick Stevens (Carlton) whom I would award two votes. Finally, I would split the final vote between Matthew Lappin for his drive and three goals, and James Clement for his poise and leadership.
Melbourne v Geelong Round 3
Melbourne out-Geelonged Geelong!
One of Geelong's great traits last year was there tough, hard persistance on the ball. For such a young team, they were never intimidated by even the most aggressive teams. Today, they just didn't have the cattle do keep up. Melbourne was not only ferocious, but incredibly talented. The star was obviously Cameron Bruce with over 30 touches, many marks and a couple of goals - Geelong had no-one to go with him.
Josh Hunt and Darren Milburn did their best in defense but could not keep up against the barrage. I would probably give Hunt one vote for his performance. Doing his best to keep Geelong in the game was Gary Ablett and along with Milburn I would say their efforts were worth two votes.
My votes for Adelaide v Collingwood Round 2
In a dismal game before half time, finding vote winning players was going to be difficult. It was really a matter of who made the least number of mistakes. The second half was a little better although the skill level was quite poor.
Most pundits would give Andrew Mcleod the three votes for the Brownlow in this game but I beg to differ. I would award it to Paul Licuria (Collingwood) for the amazing amount of work he did around the ground. It wasn't his fault that Collingwood lost. Two votes definitely to Andrew McLeod and only then because of his game-busting ability. One vote would have to be given to Simon Goodwin with Ben Johnson close behind him. Not literally.
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).
Round 2 Luke Power (Brisbane Lions) shortens in odds for Brownlow
The baby of the "Big 5" from Brisbane showed that he will live up to his name this year with a great performance against Port Adelaide at AAMI stadium. He showed his all-round ability picking up plenty of touches, getting dirty with a few tackles and slotting through a crucial goal to further bolster Brisbanes big 6 goal come back in the last quarter.
With the greats of Voss and Lappin succumbing to injury and old age, Luke is shaping up to take on the reigns as the new "Brownlow" medal winner in the Brisbane mid-field. Maybe 2005 will be his year.
An objective view of your favourite AFL player
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