Herbie’s Hush
Well, what a week it has been since we last had a chat. We’ve had drowning claims, ducking claims and if you combine the both you get what we saw at the SCG on Sunday perfect weather for Ducks on a wet Sydney day. But I mean getting $80,000 for bagging out an umpire after apologizing and going down a “bullying” pathway then we have a long way to go as an AFL community.
Who is taking Charlie Home?
Throughout the next three weeks, the Hush will be looking at the 6 clubs who have the bye in the eyes of a potential Brownlow candidate from each of the clubs.
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Having a career best season, but in a team that is ravaged by the those WADA imposed suspensions this year was all about getting games into youngsters at Essendon and getting midfield time for players such as Zach Merrett. Now whilst Zach Merrett is listed if he gets into double figures the club may as well celebrate as if he has won the Brownlow. Leading the club in Disposals, Contested Possessions and Tackles it shows the midfielder will be catching the umpire’s eyes. Easily a career best season and the young #7 of Essendon will be looking to add to his solitary Brownlow vote.
Max Gawn (Melbourne)
The people’s beard; arguably one of the best stories that could be written in the AFL world. A man who went from smoking cigarettes every day before training whilst in his early years at the club, to fast becoming of the most dominant players in the game. Behind only Todd Goldstein (but not by much) Max Gawn is fast becoming the clubs MVP. If Max Gawn is Melbourne’s highest vote getter the odds are on saying he will party and that beard may disappear after a big night out. Leading the competition in hitouts with 546 total and 42 per game.
Jasper Pittard (Port Adelaide)
“Captain Risky” is a bit of a left field pick for Port Adelaide with only Ollie Wines realistically being in the same form as the running half back from Port Adelaide. Leading the clubs in Marks (70), Rebound 50’s (69) Kicks (221) and second in Disposals (315) the man deemed one of the most unreliable kicks a couple of seasons ago, it’ll be a good all-round football story. Expect the man to be named in the 40 man All-Australian squad, and potentially a value bet for Port Adelaide’s leading vote getter on Brownlow Medal night.
Daniel Hanneberry (Sydney)
The only man deemed capable of stealing the Brownlow of the favourite Patrick Dangerfield, having a career best season to date the Swan will be looking to poll well on the Monday on Grand Final week. Looking to add to his 79 Brownlow votes and his best ever tally of 24 votes last year it’s hard to mount an argument that Hanneberry won’t be in the calculations come crunch time. With the likes of Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker potentially taking the votes off him on certain game days it may be difficult to see him poll plenty of three’s but expect those 2 vote games push him closer to the medal.
Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
History says that the Brownlow Medal is a midfielder’s medal, but with West Coast having an inconsistent season, especially away from home, the key forward will be expecting to poll well on Brownlow Medal night. Coming second in the Coleman medal (one behind Lance Franklin) the key forward from the Eagles will be prominent in the Eagles highest vote getters. Unlike Franklin, Kennedy does not have those midfielders that stand out every week and will take votes off him. The question still remains who has won out of the Judd and Kennedy deal? If we are talking Brownlow’s Judd but if we are talking Coleman’s Kennedy has that in the back pocket. Imagine adding a Brownlow? Unlikely but it’s hard not to think how the Blues would be if they had their hands on this Josh Kennedy.
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Who would have thought that after 50 games we would even be mentioning a player in Brownlow Medal calculations? The “Bont” is one of those. After polling 13 votes last year it is already visible that Bontempelli catches the umpire’s eyes. In a year that has seen the Bulldogs remain a top 4 prospect the young leader has been the standout at the Dogs. Whether he is a Brownlow candidate this year is another question, but expect to see a Brownlow wrapped around his neck at some point in his career, the man is a star.
Another Hush, another Round underway thanks to Thursday night footy, do we take the Crows seriously now? Are they a top 4 chance? Are North on the slide? All questions that will be answered in due time. Enjoy your weekend of footy no matter what it is you are doing, here’s hoping your team gets the 4 points unless of course you are a Carlton supporter.
Written By: James Herbert (@herbie0809)
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Image (1): http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/09/22/2014-afl-brownlow-medal-complete-guide-tips-odds/
Image (2): http://forum.fanfooty.com.au/index.php?topic=105012.0
Image (3): http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/max-gawn-says-confidence-is-high-at-melbourne/news-story/a410064d0ddf220ccd0173db0762e0bb
Image (4): http://alchetron.com/Jasper-Pittard-332055-W
Image (5): http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2015/6/daniel-hannebery-signs-five-year-contract-extention-with-sydney/
Image (6): http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/josh-kennedy-kicks-11-as-eagles-bury-giants-20140511-zr9ou.html
Image (7): http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-04/468570640.jpg/6371352
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