TonyK
CibbuanoThe Perfect Ten
September 24th 2006 06:00
Here is the final instalment in our look at the top ten players for the 2006 AFL season.
6. Simon Goodwin
The Adelaide midfield star had arguably his career-best season in 2006 on his way to All-Australian honours for the fourth time.
Goodwin averaged 26 possessions this year, more than he has in the past six seasons.
The 29-year-old was ranked in the top ten for kicks, handballs, contested possessions and clearances and led the competition for inside 50's.
His ability to win the contested football and break the lines by foot was a key factor in Adelaide's success which propelled them to a 14-2 win-loss record before the wheels fell off.
The Crows vice-captain is on the fourth line of betting for this year's Brownlow, however Goodwin has never polled well in the medal count, with his previous best performance being just 10 votes in 2001.
Adelaide. Fourth Time All Australian. Previously selected 2000, 2001, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 12 Goals, 11 Behinds. 343 kicks, 87 marks, 254 handballs, averaging 15.6 kicks, 4.0 marks, 11.5 handballs. 113 Clearances, 132 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m. Third in the AFL in total disposals. Fifth in the AFL in total kicks. Seventh in the AFL in total handballs. Fifth in the AFL in contested possessions. Seventh in the AFL in clearances. Led the AFL in Inside 50m.
7. Matthew Pavlich
The Fremantle star collected his fourth All-Australian guernsey recently, which is quite an impressive feat when you consider Pavlich is only 24.
Dockers coach Chris Connolly has used Pavlich in a more permanent forward role in the past couple of seasons after initially starting in the midfield.
The move has paid handsome dividends with Pavlich taking the eight most number of marks in the AFL, and fourth in contested marks on his way to a career-best 71 goals.
The 24-year-old has had fewer possessions this year, averaging only 15.8, down on 16.9 in 2005 and 21.2 the previous year.
However, this was a by-product of a permanent role in the forward 50, and his form this year was integral to the Dockers stark mid-season form reversal which propelled them from a 6-7 win-loss record mid-season to a preliminary final berth last Friday night.
Fremantle. Fourth time All Australian. Previously selected in 2002, 2003, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 63 Goals, 32 Behinds. 271 kicks, 172 marks, 80 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 7.8 marks, 3.6 handballs. 19 Clearances, 84 Inside 50m, 10 Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in total marks. Fourth in the AFL in contested marks. Sixth in the AFL in goals.
8. Brendon Fevola
Just over a year ago Brendon Fevola was being talked about as potential trade bait for the Blues.
The fact that he earned his first All-Australian guernsey recently and is being talked about as the next captain of Carlton, with current skipper Anthony Koutoufides relinquishing the reigns is a credit to him for turning his career around.
The 25-year-old won the Coleman medal in a side that won the wooden spoon for the second year in succession.
This is an astonishing feat when you consider the last time this occurred was in 1965 when Hawthorn's John Peck claimed the Coleman medal.
There is no questioning that Fevola has stamped himself as one of the premier forwards of the competition, and surely he will be hoping from greater support next season when the Blues aim to avoid a hat-trick of wooden spoons.
Carlton. First time All Australian. 21 games in 2006. 84 goals, 53 behinds. 226 kicks, 138 marks, 40 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 6.6 marks, 1.9 handalls. Three Clearances, 56 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in contested marks. First in the AFL in goals.
9. Dean Cox
The West Coast ruckman has been an integral part of the Eagles success of the past couple of years which has seen them make their second grand final in as many years.
Cox, who earned his second All-Australian guernsey recently after receiving his first in 2005 was a favourite for the Brownlow after the first three rounds of the season.
While the 25-year-old is ranked ninth in the AFL for hitouts with 346, which is a whopping 243 behind Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly, its Cox's ability to get the ball around the ground that sets him apart.
His ability to cover the ground, and use the ball cleanly by foot is astounding for a man his size and essentially provides coach John Worsfold with another midfielder as Cox averages 18 possessions per game.
This was no more evident than in yesterday's preliminary final against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, where the Eagles ruckman had 27 possessions compared to Matthew Clarke's five touches.
It has been a rapid rise for Cox who started on the Eagles rookie list and made the most of his opportunities when then number one ruckman Michael Gardiner broke down with a knee injury.
West Coast. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2005. 17 games in 2006. 13 Goals, Six Behinds. 192 kicks, 122 marks, 111 handballs, averaging 11.3 kicks, 7.2 marks, 6.5 handballs. 346 Hit Outs, averaging 20.4 hit outs. 46 Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 37 Rebound 50m. Ninth in the AFL in hit outs.
10. Nick Riewoldt
It wasn't all doom at gloom down at Moorabbin this year.
Despite serious injuries to key players Justin Koschitzke, Aaron Hamill and Matt Maguire and the eventual axing of coach Grant Thomas, there were a few bright spots for the Saints and Riewoldt was one of them in 2006.
The two-time All-Australian forward had a season equal to his first All-Australian selection in 2004, leading the AFL in marks and contested marks and finishing tenth in the Coleman medal race with 58 majors.
The 23-year-old took his leadership qualities to a new level this season, and this was no more evident than in the Saints round 11 two-point win over the Swans.
St Kilda's season was teetering on a knife-edge with a 5-5 win-loss record and Riewoldt led from the front with 23 possessions and 7 marks in a win that would spark a five-game winning streak for the Saints.
With coach Grant Thomas gone, Justin Peckett and Stephen Powell retired and several ageing stars to hang up their boots in the next year, Riewoldt shapes as a key as St Kilda aims to rebuild.
St Kilda. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2004. 22 games in 2006. 58 Goals, 34 Behinds. 282 kicks, 206 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 9.4 marks, 3.8 handballs. 25 Hit Outs. 11 Clearances, 49 Inside 50m, 16 Rebound 50m. Led the AFL in total marks. Led the AFL in contested marks. Tenth in the AFL in goals.
Did we get the top 10 right. Have your say.
6. Simon Goodwin
The Adelaide midfield star had arguably his career-best season in 2006 on his way to All-Australian honours for the fourth time.
Goodwin averaged 26 possessions this year, more than he has in the past six seasons.
The 29-year-old was ranked in the top ten for kicks, handballs, contested possessions and clearances and led the competition for inside 50's.
His ability to win the contested football and break the lines by foot was a key factor in Adelaide's success which propelled them to a 14-2 win-loss record before the wheels fell off.
The Crows vice-captain is on the fourth line of betting for this year's Brownlow, however Goodwin has never polled well in the medal count, with his previous best performance being just 10 votes in 2001.
Adelaide. Fourth Time All Australian. Previously selected 2000, 2001, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 12 Goals, 11 Behinds. 343 kicks, 87 marks, 254 handballs, averaging 15.6 kicks, 4.0 marks, 11.5 handballs. 113 Clearances, 132 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m. Third in the AFL in total disposals. Fifth in the AFL in total kicks. Seventh in the AFL in total handballs. Fifth in the AFL in contested possessions. Seventh in the AFL in clearances. Led the AFL in Inside 50m.
7. Matthew Pavlich
The Fremantle star collected his fourth All-Australian guernsey recently, which is quite an impressive feat when you consider Pavlich is only 24.
Dockers coach Chris Connolly has used Pavlich in a more permanent forward role in the past couple of seasons after initially starting in the midfield.
The move has paid handsome dividends with Pavlich taking the eight most number of marks in the AFL, and fourth in contested marks on his way to a career-best 71 goals.
The 24-year-old has had fewer possessions this year, averaging only 15.8, down on 16.9 in 2005 and 21.2 the previous year.
However, this was a by-product of a permanent role in the forward 50, and his form this year was integral to the Dockers stark mid-season form reversal which propelled them from a 6-7 win-loss record mid-season to a preliminary final berth last Friday night.
Fremantle. Fourth time All Australian. Previously selected in 2002, 2003, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 63 Goals, 32 Behinds. 271 kicks, 172 marks, 80 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 7.8 marks, 3.6 handballs. 19 Clearances, 84 Inside 50m, 10 Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in total marks. Fourth in the AFL in contested marks. Sixth in the AFL in goals.
8. Brendon Fevola
Just over a year ago Brendon Fevola was being talked about as potential trade bait for the Blues.
The fact that he earned his first All-Australian guernsey recently and is being talked about as the next captain of Carlton, with current skipper Anthony Koutoufides relinquishing the reigns is a credit to him for turning his career around.
The 25-year-old won the Coleman medal in a side that won the wooden spoon for the second year in succession.
This is an astonishing feat when you consider the last time this occurred was in 1965 when Hawthorn's John Peck claimed the Coleman medal.
There is no questioning that Fevola has stamped himself as one of the premier forwards of the competition, and surely he will be hoping from greater support next season when the Blues aim to avoid a hat-trick of wooden spoons.
Carlton. First time All Australian. 21 games in 2006. 84 goals, 53 behinds. 226 kicks, 138 marks, 40 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 6.6 marks, 1.9 handalls. Three Clearances, 56 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in contested marks. First in the AFL in goals.
9. Dean Cox
The West Coast ruckman has been an integral part of the Eagles success of the past couple of years which has seen them make their second grand final in as many years.
Cox, who earned his second All-Australian guernsey recently after receiving his first in 2005 was a favourite for the Brownlow after the first three rounds of the season.
While the 25-year-old is ranked ninth in the AFL for hitouts with 346, which is a whopping 243 behind Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly, its Cox's ability to get the ball around the ground that sets him apart.
His ability to cover the ground, and use the ball cleanly by foot is astounding for a man his size and essentially provides coach John Worsfold with another midfielder as Cox averages 18 possessions per game.
This was no more evident than in yesterday's preliminary final against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, where the Eagles ruckman had 27 possessions compared to Matthew Clarke's five touches.
It has been a rapid rise for Cox who started on the Eagles rookie list and made the most of his opportunities when then number one ruckman Michael Gardiner broke down with a knee injury.
West Coast. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2005. 17 games in 2006. 13 Goals, Six Behinds. 192 kicks, 122 marks, 111 handballs, averaging 11.3 kicks, 7.2 marks, 6.5 handballs. 346 Hit Outs, averaging 20.4 hit outs. 46 Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 37 Rebound 50m. Ninth in the AFL in hit outs.
10. Nick Riewoldt
It wasn't all doom at gloom down at Moorabbin this year.
Despite serious injuries to key players Justin Koschitzke, Aaron Hamill and Matt Maguire and the eventual axing of coach Grant Thomas, there were a few bright spots for the Saints and Riewoldt was one of them in 2006.
The two-time All-Australian forward had a season equal to his first All-Australian selection in 2004, leading the AFL in marks and contested marks and finishing tenth in the Coleman medal race with 58 majors.
The 23-year-old took his leadership qualities to a new level this season, and this was no more evident than in the Saints round 11 two-point win over the Swans.
St Kilda's season was teetering on a knife-edge with a 5-5 win-loss record and Riewoldt led from the front with 23 possessions and 7 marks in a win that would spark a five-game winning streak for the Saints.
With coach Grant Thomas gone, Justin Peckett and Stephen Powell retired and several ageing stars to hang up their boots in the next year, Riewoldt shapes as a key as St Kilda aims to rebuild.
St Kilda. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2004. 22 games in 2006. 58 Goals, 34 Behinds. 282 kicks, 206 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 9.4 marks, 3.8 handballs. 25 Hit Outs. 11 Clearances, 49 Inside 50m, 16 Rebound 50m. Led the AFL in total marks. Led the AFL in contested marks. Tenth in the AFL in goals.
Did we get the top 10 right. Have your say.
| 50 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
