This may be potentially the toughest ‘who would you rather’ so far, but this edition measures up three of best young guns in the AFL.
So let’s get straight into it shall we?
Which star midfielder would you rather – Dylan Shiel, Marcus Bontempelli or Ollie Wines?
Let’s get the ball rolling.
Dylan Shiel
Whitfield, Treloar, Smith and Greene. The list of rising stars at the Giants can go on and on. But I went with Dylan Shiel, who after Round 5 was placed fourth (with 29 votes) on the AFLCA’s Player of the Year voting.
Shiel was an underage recruit for GWS, who debuted in 2012, in their inaugural season. He has played 56 games with the Giants, but none have been more important than his first six games of 2015. After missing games with injury last season, Shiel is one of the emerging premier mids in the game.
The big-bodied Shiel, who has been likened to Chris Judd, is an explosive, powerful and classy midfielder.
He doesn’t just barge through packs, he also knows how to finish, as he’s ranked third in the competition for total effective disposals. He is one of the most physically mature players at the young Giants.
He is also a goal-kicking mid, having kicked 30 already in his young career.
He provides a strong presence at stoppages; he can use his speed and power to break away from any contest and has a fierce attack on the footy.
He has definitely benefited from the addition of Ryan Griffen, who attracts the opposing tag before the likes of himself and Treloar.
Shiel is averaging a staggering 28.3 disposals per game (ranked 11th in AFL), 4 tackles and almost a goal a game in 2015.
He had a dominant performance against the Gold Coast in Round 4 where he picked up 39 touches, 5 tackles and a goal. Not a bad day’s work at all.
Victorian clubs are circling Shiel. Get your chequebooks ready folks.
Marcus Bontempelli
Standing in at 192cm, Bontempelli is the prime prototype for future midfielders in the AFL. Think Scott Pendlebury. Think Mark Blicavs and David Mundy. Tall midfielders are a hot property right now.
Other than Jesse Hogan, there probably hasn’t been as much hype on any other player than Marcus Bontempelli.
19-years-old, 21 games, 19 goals and a mountain of expectation that ‘the Bont’ is indeed the future of the Western Bulldogs.
In the early part of this season, Bontempelli has excelled any concerns of second-year blues.
He has played in all but one game and has been a key factor in the Bulldogs resurrection.
He was selected fourth overall in 2013, almost won the NAB Rising Star Award and kicked one of the freakiest goals of the season all in his debut year for the Dogs.
Bontempelli predominantly plays in the midfield but has the tools and tricks to be a damaging utility player with more experience. He can play deep in the forward line with his height as well as play a sweeping role across half back.
The composure that Bontempelli shows for a teenager is daunting. He has exceptional agility, awareness and endurance on the footy field and knows most importantly, how to win the ball.
The Bont is the next breakout star in the competition. He has enormous upside and seems like he has all the attributes to be a complete, all-rounder AFL star.
Every time he touches the ball you feel like something good is going to happen. Not many players have that affect on a game, so early in their careers.
He is averaging 21 disposals and 7 tackles a game in 2015. He can kick, he can mark, he can tackle, he can get the clearance and he can rack up the score involvements. What can he not do?
Ollie Wines
Did you know Ollie Wines played 50 consecutive games from when he debuted in his first year at Port until he reached the milestone? Remarkable.
Now it all makes sense. Ollie Wines has never played like a 20-year-old. Like Shiel, Wines had an AFL body when he was drafted. Selected with pick 7 in 2012, Port Adelaide would be absolutely thrilled with its first selection in Wines.
Like the other two players in this comparison, Wines has been instrumental in turning the fortunes of his club around.
In just his third AFL season, Wines has already elevated himself to one of the best inside midfielders in the competition.
Hard-nut. Contested footy. Immediate impact. Tough-as-nails. Leader. Raging bull. These are the words that you associate with Ollie Wines.
You will usually find Wines at the bottom of the pack. He is a ball-winner and one of the many AFL players that enlist the see-ball, get-ball mentality.
He is a tackling beast who will run and pressure all game long.
He is looking to return this week from a broken wrist which he received in Round 3, which has put a halt to his stellar start to the season.
Along with his power teammate Chad Wingard, Wines is cementing his first few years as an AFL player as among one of the best starts to a career in recent memory.
Out of the six players taken before him in 2012, only Jackson Macrae, Jake Stringer and Lachie Whitfield stand out, effectively making Wines a steal for the Power.
At just 20 years old and having played 52 games, Wines was elevated into Port Adelaide‘s seven-man leadership group in 2015.
He has already averaged 22 disposals, 5 tackles and 3 marks over his first few seasons with Port, and will no doubt be looking to continue his dramatic rise once he returns from injury.
The decision
All three players have played a major influence in the early season form of Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and the Giants.
All three are playing incredibly exciting football, but have an even more exciting future ahead of them.
So which rising star would you rather? Dylan Shiel, Marcus Bontempelli or Ollie Wines?
You can only have one.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Savagery from Sam Draper!
Taylor Walker was adamant Sam Draper should have been pinged for holding the ball - but the umpire disagreed!
Things getting spicy in Adelaide!
Tex had plenty to say to Sam Berry after kicking the Crows' second goal.
"Wasn't meant to go there!"
