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Last Saturday night, arguably the best four teams in the AFL squared off against each other.
As AFL fans, we were spoilt for choice, flicking back and forth between the two games.
So this ‘who would you rather’ is comparing the midfield groups of the four best sides in the competition.
Which would you rather: Sydney, Fremantle, Hawthorn or Port Adelaide?
Sydney
Starting five: Josh Kennedy, Daniel Hannebery, Kieran Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Luke Parker.
Next in line: Ben McGlynn, Craig Bird, Lewis Jetta, Adam Goodes, Harry Cunningham
Future midfield stars: Isaac Heeney, Jake Lloyd and Tom Mitchell
Ruckmen: Mike Pyke and Tom Derickx
Sydney has a great midfield mix. They have height in Kennedy and Goodes (when he plays), they have explosiveness in Hannebery, Jack and Parker and they have composure, skill and leadership in McVeigh and Jack.
They have a real edge to them. They are all tough players and they have incredible depth. When it’s McGlynn’s or Bird’s time to step up in the middle, there is no drop off in effort and hunger around the contest.
Jetta and Cunningham (and McGlynn and Bird for that matter) are all fast, flexible players who can provide outside run as well as goal kicking power in the small forward position.
Sydney’s ruck stocks are not overly impressive; it’s probably their weakest position on the field compared to the other teams. However, with a contested possession king like Kennedy, Sydney still wins clearances.
The most exciting thing about this midfield group is the majority of them are in the peak, while the likes of Parker, Hannebery and Cunningham are still young and will be leading their midfield for years to come.
Fremantle
Starting five: Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Stephen Hill, Michael Barlow, Lachie Neale
Next in line: Tendai Mzungu, Clancee Pearce, Nick Suban, Danyle Pearce and Matt de Boer
Future midfield stars: Anthony Morabito, Tommy Sheridan and Lachie Weller
Ruckmen: Aaron Sandilands, Zac Clarke
Like Sydney, Fremantle have developed an elite combination of midfielders who are flourishing in 2015. The chemistry could not be better between the AFL’s best player Nat Fyfe, the AFL’s most underrated midfielder David Mundy, excitement machine Stephen Hill, along with Michael Barlow and Lachie Neale who are just starting to make that midfield their own.
The height of Fyfe, Mundy, Hill and Barlow has become a threatening combination. Fyfe’s explosion and strength, Mundy’s clearance work and class, along with the speed of Hill, Suban and Pearce on the wings is dangerous.
The Fremantle midfield group is creative. That’s what’s exciting to watch about them. With the height dominance they hold over their competitors, it’s safe to say they are an unconventional group.
There is a real hardness about them thanks to the likes of Suban and Clancee Pearce. What more can you say about the giant Sandilands who still gives them great opportunities at the stoppages because of his power, height, skill and experience.
The future could not look brighter for the Dockers, especially in their midfield. Tommy Sheridan impressed against Port Adelaide. Neale, Barlow, Morabito (hopefully), Hill and Fyfe will be leading the purple midfield for a long time to come.
Hawthorn
Starting five: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne and Liam Shiels
Next in line: Will Langford, Isaac Smith, Bradley Hill, Cyril Rioli
Future midfield stars: Jed Anderson, Jonathan O’Rourke and Billy Hartung
Ruckmen: Ben McEvoy, Jonathon Ceglar and David Hale
Hawthorn holds the most experienced midfield group out of the four teams. Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis and Burgoyne in particular have all had incredibly consistent, decorated careers as midfielders. Although Hodge and Burgoyne will often start a match on the half back flank, they will often spend large periods of the game deep in the middle.
This is a courageous group of AFL midfielders. They are champions. Mitchell is a clearance monster while Hodge, Lewis, Burgoyne are classy and skilled.
Smith and Hill running on either wings is a headache waiting to happen for any opposition coach. Smith has a penetrating kick, while Hill is creative and polished for a young player. Throw in Rioli and Breust who can spend time in the middle, and you have four goal-kicking options.
Many clubs would be envious of their ruckmen depth. All three would be starting ruckmen at other clubs. Ceglar has emerged, Hale is always reliable while McEvoy will do what he is asked to do every week.
They are an ageing group. Shield and Langford will be the next crop coming in once the likes of Mitchell and Hodge retire. Anderson has impressed while the verdict is still out on O’Rourke.
Port Adelaide
Starting five: Travis Boak, Kane Cornes, Hamish Hartlett, Robbie Gray and Brad Ebert
Next in line: Chad Wingard, Ollie Wines, Jared Polec, Kane Mitchell and Matt White
Future midfield stars: Aaron Young, Johann Wagner and Brendon Ah Chee
Ruckmen: Paddy Ryder, Matthew Lobbe
The best thing about Port Adelaide’s midfield is that they are young. They are young, but they are polished. They have composure, they love the big moments and they are a dynamic group.
Kane Cornes is still leading from the front, having done an exceptional tagging role on Sam Mitchell last week. They have so many complete midfielders – Boak, Hartlett, Gray and Ebert can run all day, are ball-winners and can kick goals.
Robbie Gray’s transformation is the most stunning of recent years. From a injury ridden small forward to a superstar midfielder, he has turned his own and Port Adelaide’s fortunes around.
Ebert, Polec and White – having come from other clubs in the past few years have been nothing short of sensational. White and Polec’s run is crucial to their fast, attacking style.
Wines and Wingard are the future. You could not be more pleased with Port’s recruiting if you were a power fan.
Ryder, in my opinion, was the recruit of the off-season. Ryder’s athleticism and ability to push forward will be a complimentary pairing with traditional ruckman Lobbe.
So there you have it – the bestmidfield groups in the AFL.
There’s grunt, there’s polish, there’s experience, courage, speed, power, height among other qualities that make these four the most dominant in the AFL.
So which midfield would you rather have: Sydney, Fremantle, Hawthorn or Port Adelaide?
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