These days midfielders hog all the spotlight.
When I think of what makes Australian Rules Football great, I think of the hangers, the run-and-bounce and goals from impossible angles.
I don’t really get excited about midfielders hacking the ball out of the centre.
I know what people will say – getting your hands on the ball first and moving it forward is so critical. Additionally, I do acknowledge that some midfielders hit targets and kick goals, but the disposal and clearance count gets too much emphasis. Whereas the pivotal role of the defender and forward is often overlooked.
There is nothing more exciting than watching the big centre half-forward or full forward take control of a match; launching into the pack, opponents peeling away in a stumbling mess, the forward clunking the ball and holding it aloft.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
When you hear clubs talk about building a premiership team around a player, they are almost always talking about a tall forward, not a midfielder.
The small forward, with his or her ability to evade, spin and weave through hoarding predators. Under enormous pressure, they somehow pave a path through the busy traffic. With their back to the goals, they snap the ball and clear lunging fingers to squeeze amazing goals for their team.
The modern defender. These days, not only a dour negater of their opponent, they carry an assortment of weapons. The skill to come off their player for an intercept mark, to play on, dodge through traffic, and thread the needle with a handball to escape trouble. Their run, carry and kick with penetration and accuracy makes the defender the quarterback of the AFL.
And yet, award panels hardly ever see anyone outside the centre square. Voting seems lazy – almost exclusively directed to the player with the most possessions and clearances in the winning team.
When was the last time a defender or forward won a Brownlow? Gavin Wanganween in 1993?
Prior to that, non-midfielders could win a Brownlow: Tony Lockett, Ross Glendinning, Brad Hardie, Barry Round.
Why did that all change? We’ve become completely obsessed with midfielders, clearances and disposal counts, regardless of how easy, inaccurate or uncreative their disposals are.
Lance Franklin, arguably the best player we’ve seen over the last 20 years, has dominated matches time and again. But he’s never won a Brownlow. Except for his highest voting years in 2014 (within four votes of the winner) and 2017 (within 14 votes of the winner), he’s never polled that well.
The latest Showdown medal was awarded to a Port midfielder – Travis Boak – when I don’t think he was best on ground.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
In fact, I’m not sure he was the best midfielder. Charlie Dixon’s presence up forward and Port’s rebound from defence won them the game. The clearance count was not the big factor in Port’s victory. But the medal votes went to the guy on the winning team with the most disposals.
The Norm Smith medal has the same deal, with 13 out of the last 20 medalists being midfielders.
About the only advantage of being a forward or defender on Brownlow Medal night is that you can relax and enjoy the night, knowing you’re not going to have to deliver a speech.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Although if you’re Jack Darling with 5 in a quarter and 4 in a quarter, you’d have to have six votes in those games… Surely?
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
What was Fyfe's DE on Sunday, Donny?
another paul
Roar Rookie
For their team-mates
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Go away you piece of garbage,getting way to personal,cant believe you havent't been kicked of this site yet
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
Unfair on umpires. In a fiendishly difficult game to umpire I think AFL officials do a great job. Of course there are multiple matches during which I shout at the TV when I don’t think my team is getting a fair rub, but if I’m being honest there are more times when they’ve seen an infringement that I missed. The most common issue is that they overlook a lot of line ball technical infringements and let the play flow. That can be inconsistent but does show consistent feel for the game. I honestly think AFL fans who criticise umpires just don’t watch other football codes. Rugby Union is paralysed by incessant technical penalties, Rugby League by crucial bad decisions and until recently neglect of foul play and head high contact. And while I share the critique that the Brownlow is a midfielders’ award it’s hard to think of a year in which the umpires got it flat wrong.
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
Yeah, all fair points. Forwards will get Brownlow votes if they kick a bag but they are dependant on supply and the next week may not see the ball and go voteless. Whereas midfielders always have access to contests and if they’re good they will always get a crack at accumulating possessions. The consolation is that top key position players are the ones who command the long contracts at top dollar. Even the best midfielders are a rung down in earning capacity. I can’t think of another sport in which MVPs and top award winners aren’t the best paid in that sport. Another quirk of this wonderful, unique and often eccentric game.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The problem is every player now is reduced to being a rover of sorts. :unhappy: :thumbdown:
IvoryThunder
Roar Rookie
Dusty: 11 goals, 45 votes, 3 norms - 3 GF's VS Fyfe: O goals, 1 vote, 0 norms - 1 GF ( 2 kicks out the full 1st qtr, another behind in the 2nd)
IvoryThunder
Roar Rookie
Should be four medals... Brownlow (for mids) Coleman Best forward medal Best defender medal Coleman doesn't count as the medal for best forward... the likes of Breust, Walters, Cameron, Betts all had incredible years at times; never a chance of winning Coleman or Brownlow... deserve their own category.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I agree, some are real sooks when they can't have their own way. Posers.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I only saw Roberts-Thompson play one good game for the Swans. I thought most of the time he fumbled and produced comically bad clangers!
JGK
Roar Guru
Because the people voting on these things see those players more. But I’d also add that the more you touch the ball, the more opportunity you have to influence the game.
JGK
Roar Guru
Makes sense in that it is understandable. In modern football I’d also add that spine players play more minutes than forwards (and certainly centre defenders).
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: Joke Joyce :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Philbert
Guest
But it makes sense because the halves touch the ball the most? Right???
Philbert
Guest
In the end, it does make sense that the position on the field that touches the ball the most wins these awards Why? Why does it make sense?
Scott
Guest
Because the commentators used to take him up the backside. He was good, but I don’t even think he was ever the standout best player, but the commentators just kept telling us he was. I remember 2 instances, once when he gave a regular handball to Winston Abraham who dodged and weaved players then kicked a remarkable goal from 50m on the boundary. The commentator said “what a hand pass by Carey, that’s the kings goal”. The words may not be exact but it was to that effect. The 2nd was when I was at a game in Perth. Carey was leading for a chest mark and Jakovich somehow dived and got around a fist in front of his chest. The crowd went crazy, and I went home and watched the delayed telecast just to see that moment again. The commentators said “what a great marking attempt by Carey”. I couldn’t believe it, how ridiculous, it was a simple leading chest mark and the amazing spoil was one of the highlights of the game. The other commentator mentioned on the replay “it was a good spoil by jakovich as well”. He was definitely good but I think it’s ridiculous how many times he is referred to as “the best ever”. He was given space at half forward the same as the full forwards of that time, so was basically just a full forward playing higher up the ground. I’d take Ablett or Lockett ahead of him.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Like I said . . . lazy analysis . . . and a huge chip on your shoulders. You would be about the only person who thinks Dusty is 'average' at best. An opinion not worth considering when taking into account your assessment of Fremantle.
JGK
Roar Guru
This article could also be written for Rugby League - in that sport, the Dally M Award is almost exclusively a "spine" player award. The only non-spine player to win it in the last 30 years was Jason Taumalolo who shared it with Cooper Cronk in 2016,
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Just try standing in the hole!