Voting system
The voting is a 5-4-3-2-1 system. Five votes are awarded to a player for an exceptional performance, and are extremely rare. A four-vote game is for an outstanding game, all the way down to one being for playing his role in a match.
After each game the match committee, made up of Brad Scott and the four assistant coaches collectively allocate votes to as many or as few players as deemed deserving.
There is also a countback system to separate players who finish between second and 10th. If there are players tied, the one with the most number of higher votes – i.e. five-vote games – will be deemed to finish higher in the final standings.
The contenders
#10: Ben Cunnington
Cunnington led the side in clearances, tackles and contested possessions in 2014. While the midfield changed around him due to injuries, the number 10 thrived, playing every game in a season for the first time.
#15: Nick Dal Santo
Dal Santo’s case is an intriguing one. Having played every game for the season, he is nailed on for a high finish. However, the first-year Roo had his quieter games in wins for North. Typically, more votes are handed out after a victory, which means that teammates will be able to establish a gap over the left-footer.
Add it to his uncharacteristically quiet period between Round 17-21 and it leaves the question of whether his superb games, Round 16 and the semi-final to name just two of many, are enough to make up for it.
#22: Todd Goldstein
While Goldstein may not be the first name thought of, he was very rarely beaten by his opponent and consistently gave his midfielders first use of the ball. North’s hit-out to advantage differential was second in the competition.
#24: Levi Greenwood
Greenwood had a career-best year. After not playing in Round 1 and starting as the substitute the following week, he quickly became an indispensable part of the midfield. Not only did he add to the inside midfield rotation, he was also second at the club for inside 50’s, only behind Brent Harvey.
What may cruel Greenwood’s chances of winning his first Syd Barker Medal is the three games he missed. Add his substitute appearance to the mix and it becomes four games in which he either won’t vote, or find it tough to poll more than one or two.
#29: Brent Harvey
It’s a similar story for Harvey. There’s every chance the 36-year-old will be a clear leader with about one-third of the season to go, but a quieter finish to the year, combined with a three-week suspension, looms as the main obstacle between him and a sixth medal.
#43: Sam Gibson
While Gibson’s name only shot to prominence externally after North’s semi-final victory, the reality is that he has been one of the first picked since his first game midway through 2012.
Again playing every game in 2014 – he hasn’t missed one since his debut – Gibson led the Kangaroos in kicks, marks, uncontested possessions and was second in total disposals. The midfielder also could be in line for a five-vote game in the aforementioned semi-final. Through three quarters he had 32 disposals and was vital in North building a five goal lead.
Gibson also polled in every single game in 2013’s count, so a couple of extra high-voting games could propel him into the conversation.
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It sets up a fascinating Syd Barker Medal count on Friday night, which will be covered with a live chat on NMFC.com.au. Tune in from 7:00pm EST to follow the proceedings, with prizes on offer throughout the evening.
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