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 leaderboard
3 – Ben Cunnington, Jarrad Waite
2 – Todd Goldstein, Daniel Wells
1 – Brent Harvey
It was a thrilling encounter at Blundstone Arena, highlighted by an epic ruck duel between Todd Goldstein and Max Gawn. It’ll be tough to pick the Brownlow votes, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try.
Here is the case for everyone in alphabetical order. We’ll pick our 3-2-1, followed by your chance to have your say.
Max Gawn – Melbourne
Gawn finished with a whopping 63 hit-outs as he arguably edged out Goldstein at the contest. After quarter-time, the Dees’ ruckman helped his team back into the game, giving his midfielders first use.
Todd Goldstein – NMFC
Equalling his career-high with five goals, Goldstein was extremely influential around the ground. His nine clearances were a higher number than any other Kangaroo.
He was also effective with the ball; the ruckman only had two clangers, while Gawn had eight – something which could be a deciding factor when deciding on votes.
Brent Harvey – NMFC
It’s hard to find the right words to appropriately describe what Harvey is doing at this stage of his career.
In game 412, at 37 years old, he’s kicked six goals to set a new career-high. Harvey also had a team-high 22 disposals.
Heritier Lumumba – Melbourne
Lumumba’s drive off half-back, particularly in the second quarter, was one of the key reasons Melbourne got itself back into the game. However, he was quiet in the final term with just one disposal.
Bernie Vince – Melbourne
Vince had game-highs in disposals (32), contested disposals (17) and clearances (10). He came into the match with previous form against the Roos – registering 41 disposals back in 2014 – and continued in the same vein.
Jack Viney – Melbourne
Alongside Vince, the youngster Viney was important at the contest. He had 28 disposals and 10 clearances of his own, while also pumping it inside 50 on eight occasions.
Jarrad Waite – NMFC
Waite’s scintillating start to the season continued in front of goal, booting another four to take him to 12 on the season.
In addition to his own haul, the 33-year-old set up three further majors.
Jack Ziebell – NMFC
19 tackles, a barely believable number, will most likely have meant Ziebell constantly in the sights of the umpires.
He also collected 12 contested disposals himself, more than all but two teammates.
NMFC.com.au’s Brownlow votes
3 – Brent Harvey
2 – Todd Goldstein
1 – Max Gawn
