Hello fellow AFL-loving Roarers. You might have caught a glimpse on the rugby league section of the site that The Roar is running its own in-house NRL MVP award – well, I’m pleased to announce we will be doing the very same for the AFL.
The Roar‘s AFL MVP award will see our live bloggers from each game award their own 3-2-1 votes, Brownlow style, at the end of each match. Then on Monday morning – or Tuesday in this case due to the long weekend – I’ll run through all the votes here and update the leaderboard.
Come the end of the season, we’ll crown The Roar‘s 2016 AFL MVP winner, and hopefully with a bit of luck our tally will prove to be a handy predictor for the 2016 Brownlow Medal count as well.
So, without further ado, here are all the votes from Round 1, as determined by our live-blogging team.
Richmond Tigers 92 defeated Carlton Blues 83
Blogged by Matthew Walsh
3: Kane Lambert – In the absence of some of the Tigers’ established stars, Lambert stepped up to the plate and recorded 28 disposals and a goal for the night.
2: Bryce Gibbs – After missing the end of last season Gibbs made a very successful return to the top level, with 30 touches and a goal.
1: Marc Murphy – The Blues captain was instrumental in their third-quarter charge and recorded 27 disposals and a goal.
Melbourne Demons 80 defeated Greater Western Sydney Giants 78
Blogged by Riley Pettigrew
3: Jack Viney – 32 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six tackles, Viney was dominant through the midfield and the main man behind Melbourne’s ability to drive the ball forward.
2: Callan Ward – With 28 disposals and two goals, Ward provided his usual cement-headed impact through the middle of the ground while also having more scoreboard impact than is typical for him.
1: Jesse Hogan – Although quiet early on, Hogan eventually got going and when he did his three-goal performance was what turned the tide for the Dees.
Gold Coast 121 defeated Essendon 60
Blogged by Lou Lando
3: Gary Ablett – After missing most of last year Ablett showed he is still one, if not the best player in the league, with 34 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and a goal to his name.
2: Aaron Hall – Ablett’s partner in crime was the vastly improved Hall who recorded 36 touches and two goals for the day, delivering the ball inside 50 on nine occasions.
1: David Zaharakis – Showing his ability to step up in the absence of the banned Bombers, Zaharakis had 33 touches, five clearances and kicked two goals in a great display.
North Melbourne Kangaroos 107 defeated Adelaide Crows 97
Blogged by Dylan Toune
3: Todd Goldstein – Last year’s All-Australian ruckman had an engrossing duel with Sam Jacobs all night but it were his big marks around the ground in the final term that proved decisive in this contest.
2: Daniel Wells – The return to the big stage couldn’t have gone much better for Wells who had six clearances, seven tackles, eight inside 50s and two goal assists for the night.
1: Scott Thompson – Thompson saw more of the ball than any other player on the ground with 30 touches. He won nine clearances and drove the ball inside 50 seven times.
Sydney Swans 133 defeated Collingwood 53
Blogged by TomC
3: Luke Parker – 40 disposals, 20 contested possessions, six clearances, a goal and a goal assist. Yes, those are best on ground numbers by a decent margin.
2: Tom Mitchell – 30 disposals, nine tackles and three goals. A tough break for Mitchell, because those would also be best on ground numbers most weeks!
1: Isaac Heeney – Picking up right where he left off, Heeney had 23 disposals and kicked a goal for the rampaging Swans.
Western Bulldogs 103 defeated Fremantle Dockers 38
Blogged by Brent Ford
3: Jason Johannisen – Despite losing his eye-catching hairdo Johannisen pulled a reverse-Sampson and played the best game of his career providing drive out of the backline and up the wing, finishing with 35 touches and a goal.
2: Shane Biggs – Fantastic intercept play was the highlight of Biggs’ afternoon as he cut off the Dockers time and time again finishing with 35 disposals.
1: Jake Stringer – After a breakout 2015 Stringer stamped his authority on the competition early with a five-goal performance that included a few of his typical moments of brilliance.
Port Adelaide Power 133 defeated St Kilda Saints 100
Blogged by Stirling Coates
3: Robbie Gray – 26 disposals, 14 contested, eight clearances and four of the most important goals of the afternoon, Gray’s was a match-winning effort.
2: Tom Hickey – 20 touches is a good day out for a ruckman, but Hickey almost busted the stat-board with 56 hit-outs. Easily won his duel with Matthew Lobbe.
1: Brad Ebert – 25 disposals, eight tackles, five inside 50s and three goals. His disposal wasn’t as slick as Gray’s, but the impact was definitely there.
West Coast Eagles 166 defeated Brisbane Lions 103
Blogged by Stirling Coates
3: Matt Priddis – Was on track to break the AFL record for disposals at one point. Ended up settling for 43 touches, 12 clearances, five tackles and two goal assists. Superb.
2: Josh J Kennedy – 25 disposals, 10 marks inside 50, eight inside 50s, four goal assists. Oh, and eight goals too. This bloke is an absolute freak.
1: Nic Naitanui – Absolutely unstoppable in the ruck, amassing 46 hit-outs while also putting up 22 disposals, six contested marks, six inside 50s and two goals.
Geelong Cats 116 defeated Hawthorn Hawks 86
Blogged by Brent Ford
3: Patrick Dangerfield – In his first game as a Cat, Danger had a casual 43 disposals, 21 contested possesions, seven clearances and ten inside 50s. The only thing he couldn’t do was hit the goals, kicking 0.3 for the day.
2: Sam Mitchell – The Hawks didn’t get the win but it wasn’t through lack of effort from Mitchell who finished the day with 36 disposals and eight clearances.
1: Josh Caddy – 21 disposals and seven clearances was a solid day at the office from Caddy but three goals, the equal most on ground, was the icing on the cake.
So there you have it folks, the first batch of votes for The Roar‘s AFL MVP award. There’s no need for a leaderboard this week but starting from Round 2 we will tally up the votes and keep track of who is winning the race to be crowned the first ever Roar AFL MVP.
See you next week for our next batch of votes!
jax
Guest
Mackenzie's 20 possession comeback game didn't get any coverage other than saying that he had a good game in some articles and including him amongst the best players. While he didn't deserve the votes in this game it would have been nice to see the media properly acknowledge such a solid comeback - when Rance gets 20 possessions the world stops to catch its breath. AA selectors would have missed it, just like they did in 2014 and that's a major reason why WA players struggle to get a AA guernsey. A selection panel loaded with Victorians is the other major reason. Keep an eye out for Ezy as he's only going to improve as the season progresses and give credit where it's due please mass media. Launch your AFL app and do a player vs player comparasion for Nic Nat v Goldstein and you won't find much difference in any of their stats. The key differences being that Nic is younger and played injured for two years. If Nic stays fit he be the #1 ruckman in the game by seasons end but I'm not sure how long it will take for the Vic media to recognise him, shame on them.
jax
Guest
You can keep Robbie Grey, we have Mark LeCras. Has Grey kicked 12 goals in one game of footy? When he does come and talk to me. As a bonus we have Priddis, Kennedy, Mackenzie, McGovern and Naitanui and Port don't have any players that come close to matching those guys. Priddis is Mitchell and Williams like. Not the quickest of guys going around but try tackling him to the ground before he releases the ball to one of his teammates, even with two or three hanging off of him. He draws the opposition in like bees to honey and they fall for it every single time. Priddis is a walk up start in any AFL and AA team. Grey had 26 possessions total - Priddis has 24 'contested possessions' and there is a big difference. If you don't have the ball your never going to win the game and Priddis invariably gets his hands on the ball and delivers with precision to his teammates year in, year out and when he doesn't have the ball he tackles like a machine. Priddis over Grey any day.
Wilson
Roar Guru
That was the first half by the end of the game his EFFECTIVE DISPOSAL % was at 61.1% so that not bad accross the whole game. yes agree his fist half was bad but he improved and hit the ground running after that.
Macca
Guest
Clearly you are right Don - What would Clarkson and Scott know about the game (or any of the other Journalist who have put Mitchell in their best on the weekend)?
Don Freo
Guest
Except he doesn't keep it out of opposition hands...he gives it to them...up to 66% of the time.
Dean
Guest
Frawley gave Hawkins a bath. Not only did Hawkins barely take a mark, Cats players were constantly unable to kick it to Hawkins who seems to have decided to take up the rear position this season as his preferred position. Had Hawkins led even once a quarter, the cats might have won by 4 goals more.
Dean
Guest
So I was in agreement with the coaches. DE of 33% isn't the end of the world. Getting the ball is great, but getting the ball and moving it forward it still better than letting somebody else (probably your opponent) get it.
Don Freo
Guest
Priddis just a gun. Those who talk him down just don't appreciate the little things that make a footballer a proper footballer. The pretty reputation players can have the dinky marks and the goal receives. Pridda just gets the job done and, in doing so, drives his team's success.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Not if you factor in 12 clearances ,five tackles and two goal assists and better disposal efficiency than Gray
BigAl
Guest
So It's still in the Umpire's mind whether a player is trying or not ? Maybe Cloke does have a future at Collingwood - in defence where his wayward clearing kicks would always be acceptable because everybody including the Umps could accept that he was trying to keep the ball in play...
Josh
Expert
There's a bit of that Round 1 overanalyis hyperbole going on for sure, but this was the most disposals he's ever had in a game so I don't think it's entirely unwarranted.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Don't néed to be. Kick it to someone or get pinged. Try to make a play with it rather than the obvious paddle it in front til it goes over crap. Never been a deliberate paid for a legit spoil. Won't be either. It is clear ... You must try to keep it in play.
BigAl
Guest
So you believe in Umpires being mind readers ? I would accept a CLEAR definition of a free being given against the team that last disposed of the ball. And, what about those deliberate punches OB by defenders in marking contests ?
Samantha
Roar Rookie
It sucked new rule has improved play immensely. Gonna be growing pains for players as well as umpires. Less boundary throw ins means less stoppages means less rolling rugby scrums.
BigAl
Guest
Just get rid of that F##@&k!2 useless DELIBERATE! OB rule ! What's wrong with the old OB on the full rule ?
TomC
Roar Guru
Context. The Lions didn't have a recognised full back and the midfield let a lot through.
andrew
Guest
agree waite was BOG as he played a 4 q game, he kicked goals, set up goals, took marks on the wing, tackled well. he is really appreciating playing on the 'no 2' defender each week, his pace, leap, fitness is typically too much for the no.2 defender at most clubs.
me too
Guest
Agree with Watts - Hogan was destroyed for three and a half quarters. To his credit he bobbed up when Cameron took to long to swap his new opponent in the last. But once the change back was made he disappeared again. Wouldn't be near top three. Agree with almost every other pick in this article though, from the games i watched.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
I think we should all calm down about Dangerfield. Great game? Sure. One of the best individual efforts ever? Not quite. I think this is a slight case of a player being underrated and far more recognized now that he plays for a big Victorian club. A few years ago he had 30+ touches and kicked 5 goals, but it was barely noticed.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
I'm happy for them to be overly harsh ... if it is done every time, to every side, in every game. Just be consistent.