The first five rounds of the fan-voted Mazda Excellence Award have been tallied, and we have a ‘Battle of the Bens’ on our hands.
Ben Cunnington and Ben Brown have set the pace in the first part of the season, and lead the way on seven votes apiece.
The pair has a fairly comfortable buffer over the chasing pack, with Jack Ziebell, Robbie Tarrant and Shaun Higgins four votes behind on 3.
Round 1
3 - Ziebell
2 - Simpkin
1 - Cunnington
Ziebell was a clear standout in the hard-fought loss to Gold Coast in the torrential conditions in Cairns, and this was reflected in the fan voting. Ziebell had 21 disposals and kicked two of North’s five goals.
Round 2
3 - Brown
2 - Waite
1 - Tarrant
No surprises who caught the fans eyes in Round 2, with Ben Brown’s Good Friday six-goal haul against the Saints earning him maximum votes. Jarrad Waite also enjoyed a stellar game, having his most disposals in a match since 2009.
Round 3
3 - Cunnington
2 - Brown
1 - Jacobs
Ben Cunnington was North’s clear best-on-ground in the loss to Melbourne, taking over 70% of the fan vote. Brown scored himself another two votes with his four-goal effort.
Round 4
3 - Higgins
2 - Brown
1 - Anderson
Shaun Higgins was excellent in the Round 4 win over Carlton in Hobart, tallying up 35 disposals, which was nine more than anyone else on the ground. Brown was ruthless in attack, kicking five goals.
Round 5
3 - Cunnington
2 - Tarrant
1 - Jacobs
Cunnington was outstanding in the midfield in the upset win over the Hawks, and the fans agreed, awarding him maximum votes. Robbie Tarrant marshalled an under-pressure and undermanned defence, and his contribution was also recognised by the fans.
Overall
7 - Cunnington, Brown
3 - Ziebell, Tarrant, Higgins,
2 - Waite, Simpkin, Jacobs
1 - Anderson
Don’t forget to logon to the NMFC App or NMFC.com.au on the Monday following each round to have your say and go into the draw to win prizes including a signed guernsey and Syd Barker Medal tickets, thanks to Mazda.
