The Fremantle Dockers will celebrate their best and fairest night this weekend and Ryan Crowley, who took out the award in 2012, is again a big chance to win the Doig Medal.
Crowley had another outstanding year, arguably better than 2012, stopping some of the competitions best midfielders and again will be hard to beat.
His biggest challenge should come from his fellow midfielders.
David Barlow had a super year. He averaged over 26 disposals per game and kicked 14 goals. He only missed one game throughout the season and played a big finals series.
David Mundy continued his strong clearance work and is a strong chance to claim his second Doig Medal. Mundy won his first best and fairest in 2010 and played a huge game in the 2013 grand final.
Michael Johnson was the only Docker to win an All-Australian jumper and should be a high finisher. Johnson was superb at half-back this year and could very well be the biggest challenge to Ryan Crowley this year.
Nat Fyfe has always polled well in best and fairest. He came second in 2011 and has become one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition. The 22-year-old averaged almost 26 disposals per game and kicked 18 goals.
Chris Mayne is also a chance to score vote. The forward, who was an All-Australian squad nomination, is incredibly important to the team set up.
One of the things that must always be considered in a best and fairest count is how much the team values the players and the job they did.
This is one of the reasons Joel Patfull has won back-to-back Merrett-Murray Medals – he is one of the most under-rated defenders but does his job every week.
This is one of the reasons why Ryan Crowley is the hot favourite to go back to back.
Crowley is not a fantasy player; he is not in the team to get disposals. He is in the team to stop the elite midfielders from the other team getting disposals.
Only very few taggers, such as Kane Cornes, manage to find the footy themselves.
Who do you think will take out the Dockers best and fairest award?
johno
Guest
Well deserved, first of many I feel (plus Brownlows, Norm Smiths, premierships et etc).
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
For those wondering. Fyfe won the 2013 Doig Medal.
Avatar
Roar Guru
No surprise, Crowley's won it.
Brendan
Guest
Crowley will pinch it.
Ethan Meldrum
Roar Rookie
Had a better season than last, which netted him a Doig Medal too. I'd be surprised if he doesn't take it home.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
The gone ones aint gunna win it ! but yes, it is a bit weird.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
It's a bit weird, players like you said Francis are already gone!
Are you there Harry
Guest
Save money on catering.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
I agree he is not the best player in the team. But he won last year and had another strong year this season.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
He missed a few games which will be a disadvantage. But he is an absolute superstar
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Its a bit bizarre isn't it. Lots of players have been delisted and have gone to other clubs. West Coasts is around the 30th of November.
Are you there Harry
Guest
Hawthorn hads theirs early October. Did Freo walk back to WA?
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Roar Guru
From what I also know, West Coast haven't had their B&F awards night yet either. Freo may have delayed their B&F awards night due to them making the Grand Final.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
More to the point they're having their best and fairest this week? Some teams have already started pre-season!!!
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Good spot. Thats my bad.
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Roar Guru
"David Barlow had a super year." You probably meant "Michael Barlow". I've been a fan of him since his debut and serious knee injury in 2010, and I expect big things of him in 2014.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
I think Fife should win it.
Australian Rules
Guest
Footy's certainly an evolving game. Fremantle's "best" player is not the one who kicks goals or gets the ball (Crowley kicked 9 goals in 2013 and averaged just 7 kicks per game)... he's the guy who nullifies the *opposition's* best player. Interesting take on "fairest" too...
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Best?
checkside
Guest
Fairest?