Joel Selwood, Jobe Watson, Callan Ward and Nathan Jones. Two of these names perhaps stand out more then the others.
Watson and Selwood are renowned for being inspirational leaders and contested ball-winning kings in the AFL.
Nathan Jones, while not as accomplished as Selwood or Watson, has led Melbourne from the bottom of the bottom to a respected position where they can beat Richmond on a Friday night in front of 50,000 people.
Callan Ward, the quiet achieving leader of the rising GWS Giants is probably a touch under appreciated in Victoria, but no doubt a loved player in Western Sydney.
Despite individual accolades, team success and popularity, these four AFL players have two things in common: 1 – they are all AFL captains and 2 – they are all ball-winning animals.
So who would you rather: Selwood, Watson, Ward or Jones?
Joel Selwood
Incredibly, Joel Selwood is still only 26 years of age. He went pick #7 in 2006 and was appointed captain of the Geelong Football Club when he was 23. Selwood is not only an inspiring leader, but he is an inspiring player.
Let’s just look at his recent performance against the Gold Coast Suns. He single-handedly dragged his team across the line to victory, finishing with 38 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 8 scoring involvements including 1 goal and 12 clearances.
Those numbers speak for themselves.
He is courageous, he is ferocious, he brings intensity and he plays with a rare passion for the game that you can actually pick out on your television screens.
Selwood doesn’t have superstar abilities – he’s not tall, he’s not explosive, he’s not overly quick or athletic. But Selwood is influential with his leadership, his composure and his desire to compete.
188 games, 116 goals. He averages 25 disposals, 4 marks and 5 tackles a game. In 2015, he is already ranked third in total contested possessions and fourth in total clearances.
His individual honours are too good not to mention – he’s a 3-time premiership player, 4-time All Australian (2-time captain), 3-time Bandamp;F and 4-time ALPHA Most Courageous Player.
Jobe Watson
Like Selwood, Watson isn’t flashy, athletic, fast or explosive. But Watson is resilient.
He is resilient in terms of his career – which started with doubts over his attitude, weight and kicking skills. And resilient in terms of his attitude and leadership.
Along with Hird, Watson was the face of the Essendon supplements scandal. No one can criticise his leadership through out that period. His leadership was admirable during his infamous game against Fremantle, as well as his composure and honesty when he fronted the media on behalf of his team after the Essendon players were found non-guilty.
When you watch Essendon play, it’s hard ever say that Jobe Watson isn’t: a) playing his role, or b) trying his heart out. He is the leader not only of the team, but of the midfield. He is their best ball-winner and contested ball player and has transformed himself into a hard-running, strong workhorse.
Watson’s best work is at the stoppages. He always seems to fire out the handball that starts Essendon’s run and carry. He has incredible strength through the hips so it’s hard to tackle him to the ground with out him giving off the contested possession.
He’ll play his 200th in 8 games. With a shocking kick to begin with, 107 goals as a midfielder is a great effort. He’s averages 25 disposals, 4 marks and 4 tackles a game. He is ranked third in total effective disposals in 2015, which is amazing considering he is an inside, contested ball midfielder.
Not to mention he is a Brownlow Medalist, three-time Best and Fairest and two-time All-Australian.
Callan Ward
It would seem Callan Ward is one of the more reserved captains, or players for that matter, in the AFL. He’s not flamboyant, classy or even one of those characters out on the field. But from the first to the final siren, Ward is usually the most aggressive, tough, hard at the footy, gutsy player out on the ground.
It is fair to say, his aggression and competitiveness was recognised at the Bulldogs. However, since moving up to Western Sydney, Ward has slipped even more under the radar. But you get the feeling that’s how he likes to play his footy.
He lets his footy do the talking. If his Giants teammates aren’t impressed by his relentless tackling, hard defensive running, clearance work and his attack on the ball, I don’t know what would inspire them.
Contested footy is his calling. He’s the guy you’ll find at the bottom of the pack, every stoppage, anywhere on the ground.
Like the others, his name will feature in GWS’s ‘best’ category in win, loss or draw. He wins the contested ball, clearances, takes contested marks and will even go third man up if he has to.
He’s played 125 games, kicking 61 goals. He averages 21 disposals, 5 tackles and 4 marks a game.
He won the very first GWS Best and Fairest and surely should have been an All-Australian on-baller by now.
Nathan Jones
The heart and soul of the Melbourne Football Club. Period. I’m not a Melbourne supporter but even I love watching Nathan Jones play.
Jones doesn’t wait for others to change a match. He does it himself. For years he has been the only respectable thing about a Melbourne game, but his hard work and leadership have seen the tide seemingly turn for Demons supporters.
Jones is underrated as a captain and as an AFL midfielder. People will probably scoff at the thought of him being mentioned in the same sentence as Watson and Selwood. But Jones has earned the right.
He leads with his actions. His hunger for the contest is one the best in the competition. He is ferocious and is a predator on the football at any stoppage.
His decision making at times can be questionable, but no one can argue the fact that Jones plays at 110 per cent for 120 minutes, 23 games a year (hopefully more if Melbourne make the finals in the near future).
He’s played in 183 games, still at only 27 years of age. He’s kicked 86 goals and has been captain of the Demons for a few years now. He averages 22 disposals, 3 marks and 4 tackles a game.
If Jones had played in a top 8 side for the start of his career, he would be mentioned in a lot more discussions about elite, tough on-ballers.
Not only has he been the Demons shining light for so long, Jones has won the past three Best and Fairests for the club.
The Decision
Well there it is. Four captains. Four beats around the contest. Four elite midfielders. And honestly, these are four of the best ‘heart and soul’ players in the AFL.
They give their everything week in and week out. But you can only pick one.
Who would you rather: Selwood, Watson, Ward or Jones?
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