At the end of each season, there is the obligatory discussion about who could take “Charlie” home. Footy fans stretch their memories back to games played several months prior in an effort to identify their club’s best chance at winning the coveted award.
This year NMFC.com.au is asking for your help to determine the three best players from each game and you can also cast a vote in the Mazda Spirit Awards for your best three Kangaroos.
In such an even game there were plenty of candidates for the Brownlow votes. By our calculations, there could be as many as eight players in contention.
Here is the case for everyone in alphabetical order. We’ll pick our 3-2-1, followed by your chance to do so in the polls. Next week we’ll have the results as we pick the best of Round 2.
Eddie Betts – Adelaide
Rotating through the midfield, Betts was electric in the first half and helped the Crows build their lead. He had 15 disposals and a goal to go with 8 tackles.
Ben Cunnington - NMFC
The highest possession winner on the ground for North with 27, Cunnington also registered 10 clearances, 7 tackles and was almost impossible to stop in the contest.
Todd Goldstein – NMFC
In an entertaining duel with Sam Jacobs, the North ruckman was able to get on top the longer the game went. His last quarter was particularly impressive, stepping up when the game was in dispute. He had 44 hitouts, 13 disposals, 4 marks and an impressive 7 tackles.
Brent Harvey – NMFC
The game breaker in the third quarter. Three consecutive goals in just seven minutes gave the home side the spark they were looking for and helped change the game. Harvey also had 16 disposals and 5 marks.
Josh Jenkins – Adelaide
North had no answer for the key forward during the first two and a half quarters. Jenkins kicked five goals to lead all players at Etihad Stadium.
Scott Thompson – Adelaide
Much like Cunnington for North, Thompson was the visitors’ key inside midfielder. He was their dominant force, especially after the long break with 20 second half disposals as well as six clearances. He was the game’s highest possession winner with 30.
Jarrad Waite – NMFC
Brad Scott labelled Waite’s game as ‘enormous’, and the forward was able to contribute in all areas. In addition to his three important goals, the former Blue also had 20 disposals and six tackles for the match.
Jack Ziebell – NMFC
26 disposals, seven clearances and five inside 50’s was the tally on the night for the Roos’ vice-captain. He was arguably North’s best midfielder in the first half, keeping it in the contest despite Adelaide’s advantage.
Have we missed anyone? Let us know in the comments
NMFC’s Mazda Spirit nominee
Todd Goldstein
NMFC.com.au’s Brownlow votes
3 – Ben Cunnington
2 – Todd Goldstein
1 – Josh Jenkins
Vote for your best three players