Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers. If you do not want to know who is likely to win the Syd Barker Medal in 2015, stop reading.
Hand Todd Goldstein the Syd Barker Medal now. Even at the half-way point of the season the ruckman would be streets ahead of the next in line Kangaroo and the best chance to win his first best and fairest after being runner up on two previous occasions.
While his remarkable world record 80 hit-out effort against GWS gave North a decisive advantage, reality is, Goldstein has been more than pulling his weight all year in order to give his midfielders the upper hand.
Although North’s form has been inconsistent at 6-6, it’s not reflective of Goldstein’s individual output. The 26-year-old is averaging a career high in average disposals (13.8) and hit-outs (43.6) and is being widely spoken about as the likely All-Australian ruckman.
Despite his dominance, it has to be said that there are many other players in contention along with Goldstein.
Shaun Higgins
One of the best pick-ups of the year, Shaun Higgins is making sure the Syd Barker count won’t be a one horse race. The 27-year-old is sitting equal with Lindsay Thomas on top of the club’s goal kicking ladder with 22 and is second in inside 50s and score assists with 41 and 10 respectively.
Drew Petrie
Ranked 2nd in total marks (88) behind Geelong’s Harry Taylor, Petrie can’t be judged purely on the amount of goals he’s kicked (17) due to the various roles he’s played. Who can forget his match-winning effort in defence against the Bombers in Round 7?
Jack Ziebell
Although he struggled to get going in the early rounds with some collision injuries, Ziebell has now hit form and is ranked equal 6th in total tackles (72) and 11th in centre clearances (30). The hard-nut midfielder had a season high 29 disposals against Essendon in Round 7 and laid a career-high 11 tackles against Collingwood in Round 9.
Brent Harvey
Starting the year in a different role across half-back, the evergreen Harvey has managed to maintain his high standards averaging 24 disposals a game. Despite his age, 37, the veteran continues to take the game on and is ranked 7th in total bounces with 22. He leads North in total possessions with 288 and is 3rd in inside 50s with 37.
Robbie Tarrant
Shifted back to defence, Tarrant his having the best year of his career so far with a career high in disposals (23) against Geelong in Round 4. Matching up on the power-forwards of the competition, the 26-year-old has conceded the least goals of all Kangaroos’ key position backs.
Sam Wright
Ranked 12th in total rebound 50s across the entire competition, Wright is having a breakout year. His 32 possession game against Geelong in Round 4 was a career high and showed the 24-year-old is more than comfortable playing as a defender. Wright is also averaging career highs in disposals (19.8) and marks (5.3).
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