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?
Moose
Guest
Have you seen him play live ryan? His pressure is extraordinary! Interesting that ballantyne wasnt playing the two games where Freo were upset this year (vs st k and north)
Nik
Guest
I think it's easy to underestimate how influential Ballantyne appears to be to the Freo players around him. You can see his energy and effort actually lift those around him (or so it seems to me). And that I think, is difficult to overrate.
Nik
Guest
I like watching Eddie Betts (particularly since he's moved to Adelaide), and I don't know enough about Bruest to comment, but for me it's Ballantyne every time. He lifts the Dockers when he plays, he is currently in fantastic goal kicking form, and those who don't like him may be loathe to admit it, but you cannot doubt his work ethic. He will run himself ragged, go hard the entire time he's on the field. The guy is fearless. Love it.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Ballantyne for me. Annoying little sh...t he is and that's why I would take him.
Balthazar
Guest
EVERY statistical measure. I love the hyperbole on The Roar. Yep Breust gets about 4 (a bit under) more possessions and goal assists per game and kills HB in contested possessions (given their respective roles, not surprising as HB is often Freo's only stay home forward and is guarded by some gorilla or other). Better effective disposal percentage, more tackles and unsurprisingly much better in the free kicks. Scores less though - 3.7 vs 3.0 (including points scored - goals are roughly similar), HB more marks and 1%ers Other stats like inside 50s are the same. Breust spends more time on the ground and - for those who like these things - is a bit cheaper in Fantasy Football and Supercoach terms.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
well in the modern game - 6ft 1 is pretty small - certainly well short of key forward status
johno
Guest
Bruest is not a small forward. I am surprised that anyone who is 6ft 1 is considered a small forward.
johno
Guest
You should go and look at Ballantyne's goals where he starts from the half back flank .... here's one example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhBtpJ33TBE Gees you are clueless
Boris
Guest
Ballantyne is one of the most overrated players in the game in my opinion. A little thug to go with it as well.
Ryan
Guest
Your ability to completely overrate ballantyne is becoming extraordinary.
Don Freo
Guest
Michael, I'd say you're making judgements with hate filled eyes. Do you know who Ballantyne is?
Michael huston
Guest
Bruest any day of the week. Betts and Ballantyne will sit in the forward line waiting for the ball, rendering them pretty much useless if it's not down their end. Bruest can play in the midfield and do the pressure acts. For me, I'd take Bruest, McGlynn, Parker, Motlop, Elliott and Gray over Ballantyne and Betts. They can kick bags, but that's about it.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
I think a better comparison is a fit Walters- that boy is special Any comparison with Ballantine, and Bruest on any level is laughable. With Bruest having him covered in every statistical measure. Plus, Bruest has an upside, as you will see in coming years when he moves into midfield more I think the two Port smalls are very good in Gray and Wingard. and if Gray had not wrecked his knee so badly, a few years back he would be in the AFL's top 5 now As for Betts- 'downhill skier'
Don Freo
Guest
Do you want a Lexus 250 (Breust), a Mazda 3 Sports (Betts) or a Subaru WRX (Ballas). The SubiRex gets it. More fun, more reliable and more dynamic. Reliable? He makes the play. Breust relies on others. Betts just runs third.