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 vote in the Mazda Spirit Awards for your best three Kangaroos.
Running NMFC fan leaderboard
8 – Jarrad Waite
7 – Todd Goldstein
5 – Ben Cunnington
4 – Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell
3 – Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo
1 – Ben Brown, Scott Thompson
An eighth straight victory has a couple of new candidates for Brownlow votes. They could be in the running for their first of the season, according to the fan polls.
Here is the case for each of the players in the running for the votes, in alphabetical order. We’ll pick our 3-2-1, then you can have your say.
Adam Cooney – Essendon
A big part of the Bombers’ second half comeback, Cooney kicked a goal on the run in the third quarter to ignite his side. He ended with 33 disposals and five inside 50’s.
Sam Gibson – NMFC
After the win, Gibson admitted the style of game suited his play, and he excelled. 36 disposals, 15 marks, seven inside 50’s and five rebound 50’s was the midfielder’s final tally.
Brendon Goddard – Essendon
The interim Essendon captain for 2016 had a game-high 38 disposals, the majority uncontested as he played his outside role well.
Brent Harvey – NMFC
Harvey was one of the few Roos to increase their output after half-time. The veteran had 21 of his 31 disposals in the second half, and was perhaps a bit unfortunate not to end up with a couple of goals on the board.
Ben Jacobs – NMFC
For the second week in a row Jacobs nullified the opposition’s most damaging midfielder. Against the Bombers it was David Zaharakis in the gun; limited to just 12 disposals and one clearance.
Jacobs also had 14 disposals and a goal of his own.
Zach Merrett – Essendon
Merrett was arguably Essendon’s best player on the day. His 36 disposals came both inside, evenly split between contested and uncontested.
Andrew Swallow – NMFC
Influential when the game was up for grabs, the skipper had 20 disposals in the first half. He also finished the match with six tackles, taking his AFL-leading tally to 68 for the year.
Robbie Tarrant – NMFC
A rock down back as usual, Tarrant continued to show his importance to the North backline. The Roos have conceded their three lowest scores of the year in the last three wins, with the 27-year-old vital in crucial moments.
NMFC.com.au’s Brownlow votes
3 – Sam Gibson
2 – Robbie Tarrant
1 – Zach Merrett
