Eddie Betts, Hayden Ballantyne and Luke Breust share more than just the letter ‘B’ to mark their surnames; these three are the best small forwards, or forward pocket players, in the AFL.
As fans, we are privileged to watch a number of talented, skilful and courageous players do what they do each week.
And there is no better player to marvel at than the forward-pressuring, goal-sneaking, spectacular small forward.
In the past decade, fans would come to see the likes of Stephen Milne, Phillip Matera and Leon Davis work their magic in the forward line. Along with the likes of Jeff Farmer and Brad Johnson, these players were the best of their kind.
Unfortunately for the fans, and the game of AFL, Cyril Rioli, Michael Walters and Mark LeCras – three of the most gifted, exciting small forwards in the game – have been crippled by injury this season. However, there have been vast improvers.
Jamie Elliot is having a great season, kicking 33 goals so far, second at Collingwood. Robbie Gray has been consistent for Port Adelaide, leading the competition in goal assists. And Lindsay Thomas, though a controversial figure, is always threatening near goal.
But the stand-outs this year are Betts, Ballantyne and Breust. So, who would you rather?
Eddie Betts
Betts could not have adjusted better to his new club. He has kicked 42 goals and finds himself second in goal assists in the competition.
Betts is your 200-gamer, experienced small forward – your bread and butter who can kick a goal from just about anywhere. Eddie took his talents to Adelaide this season and the Crows could not be happier with their recruit. In fact, there were suggestions of renaming one of forward pockets after him, as he slotted two brilliant goals from the boundary in the Showdown earlier this year.
The question mark over Eddie has always been his consistency. As a fan, Betts, like Rioli, gets you excited every time he goes near the ball. As the opposition, he just gets you nervous.
Hayden Ballantyne
Where do we begin? Ballantyne has been labeled the most annoying footballer in the league. He’s the sort of player you love to hate.
Like Betts, Ballantyne has also kicked 42 goals this season. But Ballantyne is ferocious – he is the best tackler of the three. His pressure on the opposition is often what wins back the ball for his team.
Ballantyne is quick – he runs, chases and runs some more. His goal kicking can improve, but you could not ask this guy to do more for his team. Well, except to cut the silly things he does every once in a while.
Perhaps for Fremantle, there is no player as important to be firing in September than Hayden Ballantyne.
Luke Breust
The quiet achiever of the bunch just goes about his business every week. But Breust leads the stat line out of these three – kicking 49 goals and averaging almost 16 disposals a game. Oh, and the 49 goals came at 49.8 this season – he is incredibly accurate in front of goal.
With a talented forward line, it is impressive that Breust manages to hold his own. He is a solid tackler and along with Paul Puopolo, has given Hawthorn a great edge when pressuring the opposition in the forward half.
Breust is the youngest of the three, but has been building ever since he debuted in 2011. He is the least ‘exciting’, but he would be the guy you want kicking for goal after the siren. He is Mr Reliable.
So there it is. Betts, Ballantyne and Breust. The best of the bunch this year. Each is brilliant in their own right.
You can only have one. Who would you rather?
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