Who would you rather: Pendlebury, Heppell or Fyfe?

You’re the coach. You and your match committee have got the job to pick one of the best three tall midfielders in the AFL, who dominate games with their height, skill, class and approach to the game.

This article marks the beginning of a new series called, ‘Who would you rather’, which will compare different AFL players who play a similar position.

This article is comparing the tall-bodied midfielder. The 190-centimetre, smooth moving, hard-running midfielder who uses their length and agility to break games apart.

Who would you rather: Scott Pendlebury, Dyson Heppell or Nathan Fyfe?

Scott Pendlebury
Pendlebury is 191 centimetres, 91 kilograms of class. He is one of the AFL’s premier midfielders, and the best at Collingwood.

Pendlebury is the most creative midfielder in the game, often accredited to his basketball background, and has a spectacular left-foot kick that rarely misses the target.

Out of the three players, Pendlebury holds the advantage for experience, having played 195 games since being drafted fifth overall in 2005. However he is also probably the least athletic and slowest out of the three, but you often hear commentators mention how Pendlebury seems to ‘glide’ when running.

He is one of the smartest footballers in the game, and always seems to be in control. He hardly ever gets tackled or turns the balls over, and leaving him in space is very dangerous.

Pendlebury is a player you go to watch at the football, even if you don’t support Collingwood. He is the true meaning of a polished player, playing with an elegance and flair that makes the game look beautiful.

He’s a goal-kicking mid, having kicked 126 career goals. He’s averaged 26 disposals, five marks and five tackles a game over his career, showing that he knows how to diversify his game in his midfield role.

Just like the draft, he is ranked fifth overall in the AFL Players Top 50 list, proving he is respected and recognised by his peers.

Nathan Fyfe
Before Fremantle fans get angry, I am very aware that you boast another set of elite tall midfielders in David Mundy and Michael Barlow, but I’ve gone with Fyfe.

Fyfe. Where do I start? If he didn’t prove himself last year, in the first three rounds of 2015, Fyfe has solidified himself as one of the best, if not the best player in the game.

Weighing in at 90 kilograms and standing 190 centimetres, Fyfe uses his strength and height to dominate games. He’s an elite runner, and the best marking midfielder in the AFL. He’s extremely athletic, often goes third man up in the ruck, and knows where the goals are. Fyfe is a midfielder, but at any point in the match you could see him up in the forward line, across halfback, or even having a run on the wing.

Fyfe loves the contest and is the most ferocious on the ball out of the three. A big knock on him is his disposal efficiency, an area the other two midfielders excel at.

Fyfe has averaged 24 disposals, four tackles, five marks and almost a goal a game over his 95 matches. He’s ranked second overall by his peers and could very well be adding some shiny medals to his trophy cabinet by season’s end.

Dyson Heppell
Having played 87 games Heppel is the least experienced, and at 189 centimetres and 81 kilograms he is the smallest of the three midfielders, but he has proved that young players can have an immediate impact. The shaggy blonde midfielder burst onto the scene in his debut season, almost snatching Essendon’s best and fairest.

Heppell is a ball winner. Like Pendlebury, you don’t often see him make the wrong decision. He’s a mature, smart player. He’s clean under pressure, incredibly composed, and steps up in the big moments. He can win his own ball in the midfield as well as provide Essendon with run and carry down the ground.

A flaw early in his career was an inability to find the goals. However, if you are looking for one the emerging leaders in the AFL, Heppell is your guy.

Despite his hair, his influence on the game often goes unnoticed due to his consistency.

Life Fyfe, Heppell averages 24 disposals, five marks and four tackles a game and is ranked 15th in the AFL Players Top 50.

They’re all skilled. They’re all classy. They all average similar numbers. They are all tall midfielders. But who would you rather? Scott Pendlebury, Dyson Heppell or Nathan Fyfe?

You can only pick one.