THE DEMONLAND 2007 PLAYER RANKINGS

by Whispering Jack (with statistics and notes from Sam the Stats Man)

There was a time when I seriously thought about abandoning the annual Demonland Melbourne Football Club player rankings for the end of the 2007 altogether. I was finding it difficult to seriously rank the entire playing list from 1 to 44 in light of the club's season from hell with injuries. In the end, I settled on a top ten but, even then, I wasn't altogether happy with that.

When I finally decided on the make up of my top ten the spectre of old age and injury loomed large. The list which includes two thirty year olds and another nudging 29 years of age is far too heavy in terms of the veterans of the club for my liking. Another 30 year old in Nathan Brown, one of three retirees, came very close to making the top group. Over at Essendon over 30's in James Hird and Dustin Fletcher quinellad Essendon's best and fairest award and another oldie in Scott Lucas came fourth and was their top goalkicker and I know that experience is necessary on every list, but the Demons still have one of the AFL's oldest lists and, even allowing for the fact that we've had a few retirements and delistings from among the "oldies", it doesn't bode well for the future when you consider that Melbourne was out of contention early on and finished in the bottom four.

To compound the situation, there were players who made the top ten notwithstanding that they missed games with injury or played hurt. You didn't achieve such a high ranking in 2006 unless you were free of injury for most of the season - if you were incapacitated for more than a few games, you generally found yourself in the bottom quartile of my rankings. This year, it was different with a few of my top ten having injury interrupted seasons and with so many others missing the odd games here and there as well. Jeff White was the only player to take the field for every one of the club's 22 matches.

So instead of ranking players from 1 to 44, I'm accompanying my top ten with a few other groupings to encompass some information and notes on the entire list for 2007. There's a small group of rising stars, a couple of players getting special mentions, the list of the battle scarred from the infirmary and the rest. As you will see, some of the club's best players can be found in the latter two categories.

The list was done and dusted before the outcome of Monday night's Keith "Bluey" Truscott medal winner was announced. It came as no surprise that James McDonald won the club's best and fairest. He also topped my rankings. However, one of the big surprises of the night was Matthew Bate's strong polling and his third place finish. He limped onto my list with a ninth placing but will be a regular at both the Blueys and on my list for years to come. He's also one of my rising stars along with best and fairest runner up Nathan Jones who I ranked fourth.

I also want to make mention of two players who disappointed in 2007, the club's top draftees from 2003 in Colin Sylvia and Brock McLean. Yes, they have had their injury problems but on the evidence of this year, their performances both on and off the field haven't measured up to their high draft positions. That might be a harsh conclusion but new coach Dean Bailey will no doubt be letting them both know that they are now reaching the prime of their sporting lives and that they need to knuckle down over the off season to produce the form that the football world expects from them.

Not that this fact will keep the critics at bay (I have no doubt that there will be debate about the rankings so is my usual word of warning about them) but please note my rankings are the personal opinion of one individual. It is not a best and fairest award but an assessment of where the players were at by the end of the season with major emphasis on how they performed in 2007. It will all change by the start of 2008 and I don't expect everybody to agree with me.

THE TOP TEN

1. James McDonald MFC 21 games 3 goals – while he struggled to uphold the high standard he set in 2006, Junior was a consistent performer who led the club in kicks, handballs, clearances and tackles. The statistical evidence of his worth to the team is overwhelming and the football department recognised his efforts by voting him as the club champion for the second year in a row. Not bad for a kid who came off the rookie list!

2. Brad Green MFC 18 games 13 goals – after a slow start and a setback with a hamstring injury Green was a valuable contributor in the midfield with his game against the Crows one of the highlights. He also did well on the rare occasions when he was moved into the forward line and probably isn't used there enough.

3. Cameron Bruce 16 games 9 goals - whilst by no means a world beater this season, Bruce was a versatile member of the team who displayed a great work rate. His kicking however, has been awful of late and he will have to work on that area over summer. Also missed games with hamstring and other injuries.

4. Nathan Jones 21 games 10 goals - the rising star among the Demon young guns taking out third place in the NAB Rising Star Award and second in the "Bluey". He added great bite to the Demon midfield with his in and under efforts which were often a highlight of some otherwise dull games for the Demons. Makes up for a lack of pace with his huge engine, skills and endeavour.

5. Jeff White MFC 22 games 7 goals – still the club's number 1 ruckman and capable of some good football despite finding things tougher against the bigger opponents these days. The only Demon to play every game this season, he often battled in the ruck with little support despite giving away centimetres to his opponents on most weeks.

6. Travis Johnstone MFC 15 games 7 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 0 goals - was strongly tagged early, worked his way back into form but was then dogged by Achilles heel problems. A silky smooth performer who was to the fore in the final round with a season's high 42 disposals of the football.

7. Russell RobertsonMFC 15 games 42 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 4 goals – despite missing several weeks after hurting a knee late in the Round 2 game against Hawthorn, he was easily the club's leading goal kicker and played a significant role in the team's handful of victories for the year He was at his best against the likes of Carlton and Collingwood. Under the new coaching regime will be reminded that he can't do it all on his own. Has a new two year contract with the club.

8. Daniel Bell MFC 17 games 1 goal – has started to fulfil his early promise with some excellent games in defence where he combined strength, pace and endurance to advantage despite having to work under extreme pressure on a weekly basis. Injured a hamstring early in the Essendon game and was out of action for a month before coming back and displaying good form until Ben Johnson careered into him with an illegal head high hit to end his season a fortnight early.

9. Matthew Bate MFC 19 games 19 goals – an exciting prospect whose confidence and belief in himself grew. Played a number of roles and showed great maturity when moved to the centre half forward post.

10. Aaron Davey MFC 18 games 24 goals - not a sensational year from Davey. When he was good, he was very good and when he was bad, he wasn't much good. Was outed with suspension after a retaliatory strike cost him two matches through suspension. Needs to control his temper - especially against taggers.

RISING STARS

Matthew Bate – see TOP TEN.

Lynden Dunn MFC 12 games 9 goals SFC Seniors 9 games 14 goals SFC Reserves 1 game 0 goals – suffered a setback early with a serious facial injury which kept him out of the first couple of rounds and was then hot and cold on his return to the AFL. Lifted a notch when moved into the midfield in a run with role, at the same time showing he has great capacity to improve.

Nathan Jones – see TOP TEN.

Ricky Petterd MFC 9 games 6 goals SFC Seniors 3 games 1 goal - a breath of fresh air, this young recruit showed that he is a quality player with enormous poise and ability in his nine games before suffering a punctured lung during the club's first Carlton walkover.

SPECIAL MENTIONS - NUMBERS 30 & 31

Simon Godfrey MFC 17 games 7 goals – although delisted, one cannot help but admire the work ethic and dedication of this 100 gamer. Short a little on the skills of the game but his hard work as a tagger did not go unnoticed (especially by the likes of Adam Goodes and Scott West) and others with more talent could well take note of his determination to play the game at the highest level.

Paul Wheatley MFC 14 games 4 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 0 goals – after an injury riddled 2006, he again had his share of injuries and appeared to be playing on with a problem shoulder, but excelled with some solid performances under fire in defence.

THE BATTLE SCARRED

Clint Bartram MFC 1 game 0 goals - had a limited pre-season after suffering an ankle injury in Round 22, 2006 against Adelaide, Bartram was recalled for the opening game of the season and was used sparingly. He injured a knee at training before Round 2 and then complications set in ultimately bringing his season to a premature end.

Cameron Bruce – see TOP TEN.

Travis Johnstone – see TOP TEN.

Brock McLean MFC 14 games 4 goals - another early season casualty, McLean fractured a foot in the opening round. His return game in round 9 yielded 22 disposals but he had a flat patch for a few weeks and he disappointed when picked to lead the team in Neitz’ absence against the Tigers. He returned to form in a losing side against the Brisbane Lions but having lost two months conditioning, he was unable to produce the consistency expected from him.

Brent Moloney MFC 10 games 5 goals SFC Seniors 2 games 0 goals SFC Reserves 1 game 0 goals - was close to Melbourne's best early in the season before a recurrence of groin problems took its toll. Slowly come back through the VFL and returned for a few games but failed to see out the season.

David Neitz MFC 15 games 26 goals - missed early games with a knee injury and then a combination of knee, hamstring and broken finger kept him out after the Daniher farewell. Another who struggled to see out the season when he injured his knee against Fremantle in the penultimate round. His average of less than two goals a game was a poor return and it remains to see whether he will retain the captaincy next year.

Ricky Petterd – see RISING STARS.

Jared Rivers MFC 3 games 0 goals - a succession of injuries kept the club's most talented defender out of the team for all bar three games. A persistent groin problem put him out for the season well before it even reached the half way mark.

Russell Robertson – see TOP TEN.

Paul Wheatley – see SPECIAL MENTION

Matthew Whelan MFC 5 games 0 goals SFC Seniors 3 games 0 goals – in the wars from the very start when he clashed heads with Luke Ball in round 1. Later, it was a foot injury and he missed the rest of the season with an ankle problem. His absence in defence really hurt the team.

Adem Yze MFC 8 games 4 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 2 goals - his remarkable run of 226 consecutive matches dating back a decade ended when dropped to the VFL in round 2. Was slowly returning to form when injury struck again and a hernia operation after round 12 put him out for the rest of the year.

THE REST

Clint Bizzell MFC 10 games 0 goals SFC Seniors 9 games 3 goals - after missing all of last year with injury the veteran defender returned to form in the twilight of his career but lost favour and spent most of the latter part of the season at Sandy. Has now retired.

Jace Bode ® MFC 4 games 3 goal SFC Seniors 12 games 3 goals SFC Reserves 4 games 1 goal – injury held him back in his first rookie year but he established himself with the Sandy seniors mainly as a defender or in a run with role and broke into the Demons team late in the season as long term injury replacement.

Simon Buckley MFC 6 games 1 goal SFC Seniors 13 games 3 goals – faces a long learning curve as he works his way up through the ranks. Was finally given his chance against Carlton and showed some promise in his six AFL games.

Nathan Brown 19 games 3 goals SFC Seniors 2 games 0 goals - the hard running defender was out of form early in the season and was dropped to the VFL a couple of times. In the latter part of the season he played like a man possessed and managed to finish on a high note with some good form in the last month or so of his career.

Nathan Carroll MFC 21 games 0 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 1 goal - felt the pressure in a weakened defence but did some good things and led the defence by example and with plenty of courage.

Ryan Ferguson MFC 8 games 2 goals SFC Seniors 8 games 8 goals SFC Reserves 2 games 8 goals - the injury prone defender couldn't take a trick during the season. When he finally gained a place in the Demons’ side against West Coast he broke a thumb and missed a month. Had to come back through the Zebra reserves and played well with the seniors before gaining an AFL recall late in the season. Might struggle to hold his place on the list.

James Frawley MFC 9 games 0 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 0 goals SFC Reserves 1 game 0 goals - was on course for a Round 1 debut until stress fractures in the foot put him out for almost two months. Came back through the Sandy reserves was hospitalised after being concussed early and then impressed in the seniors at Sandringham. Showed some promising signs and looks capable of filling a key defender’s role when he fills out physically.

Colin Garland MFC 2 games 0 goals SFC Seniors 17 games 5 goals - struggled in his two games at AFL level but looked good at times with Sandringham where he showed form at both ends of the ground.

Daniel Hayes ® SFC Seniors 1 game 0 goals SFC Reserves 10 games 6 goals – missed much of the pre season due to personal family reasons and was under suspension until mid season as a result of his unavailability for training. Showed up at times in the Zebra reserves but struggled in his only game at VFL senior level and was delisted at the end of the season.

Ben Holland MFC 10 games 11 goals SFC Seniors 6 games 9 goals – had a great game when he nullified Collingwood’s Anthony Rocca on Queens Birthday, but struggled at AFL level until late in the season when he rediscovered some form before badly dislocating his shoulder also against the Pies.

Daniel Hughes ® SFC Seniors 8 games 7 goals SFC Reserves 4 games 7 goals – his career went into limbo after showing some early form at Sandringham before missing several weeks with a groin problem. Was restrained on return to the Zebra team late in the season.

Mark Jamar MFC 10 games 4 goals SFC Seniors 6 game 5 goals SFC Reserves 1 game 0 goals – form as the second ruckman for the Demons was just average before he was dropped to Sandringham where he suffered a hamstring injury. Spent some time at Sandringham before pushing his way back into the Melbourne team but struggled and had a foot operation at the end of the season. Has been offered a two year contract.

Chris Johnson MFC 8 games 0 goals SFC Seniors 13 games 5 goals – had a stellar pre season but failed to impress in his early games and was dropped to the VFL. After that he struggled to get a regular game with the Demons despite showing flashes of ability. His career is at the crossroads.

Paul Johnson MFC 16 games 2 goals SFC Seniors 4 games 2 goals - grabbed the opportunity in the absence of Mark Jamar and was seemingly the main choice as second ruckman for most of the season.

Brad Miller MFC 16 games 10 goals SFC Seniors 4 games 11 goals – another player who struggled early at both ends of the ground. A wrist injury saw him out of the team and he had to work hard for a few weeks at Sandringham before getting his call up as a defender against Carlton. Showed patches of form but not on a regular basis.

Shane Neaves ® SFC Seniors 19 games 3 goals SFC Reserves 1 game 1 goal - a developing ruckman at Sandringham but was delisted from the rookie list at the end of the year.

Heath NevilleSFC Seniors 5 games 0 goals SFC Reserves 13 games 3 goals – never really cut it at Sandringham and was delisted at the end of the season.

Michael Newton MFC 10 games 14 goals SFC Seniors 11 games 31 goals – high flying forward who finally got his chance at the tail end of the Daniher reign as coach and showed that he has some ability winning mark of the year and also the club's most improved award.

Byron Pickett MFC 9 games 7 goals SFC Seniors 9 games 9 goals SFC Reserves 1 game 1 goal - came into the season unfit, overweight and with family problems. Was suspended, confined to Sandringham for several weeks and failed to impress on his return against the Tigers. A shoulder injury kept him out for a while before he returned for his last harrah late in the season.

SYLVIA, Colin MFC 16 games 12 goals SFC Seniors 1 game 3 goals – is starting to show the form that made him a high draft pick in 2003 as he shrugs off the effects of groin problems that plagued his early years at the club. Still needs to step up a few notches to justify his selection in third palce in the 2003 National Draft.

WARD, Daniel MFC 18 games 3 goals SFC Seniors 3 games 0 goals - seized his opportunities with vacancies caused in defence due to injuries and loss of form and while his delivery and decision making is sometimes a problem, he was a valuable contributor. Delisted at the end of the year.

WARNOCK, Matthew MFC 2 games 1 goal SFC Seniors 14 games 0 goals - had few opportunities at AFL level but performed consistently in the tight Sandringham defence.

WEETRA, Isaac SFC Seniors 1 game 0 goals SFC Reserves 11 games 11 goals - injured hamstring during the preseason and was due to return when it went again. Then, when he recovered from that, he broke his wrist first up in the Zebra twos. He managed on senior VFL game late in the season but had no impact.

THE KEITH “BLUEY” TRUSCOTT MEDAL

1: James McDonald 256

2: Nathan Jones 190

3: Matthew Bate 179

4: Brad Green 170

5: Aaron Davey 168

6: Cameron Bruce 167

7: Jeff White 157

8: Brock McLean 131

Equal 9: Nathan Brown 130

Equal 9: Russell Robertson 130

Norm Smith trophy for best team player: Brad Green

Jim Hannan Memorial Trophy for best clubman: Lynden Dunn

Ron Barassi Jr trophy for most improved: Michael Newton

Ian Ridley trophy for Most Consistent: James McDonald

Harold Ball Trophy for Best First Year player: Ricky Petterd

Troy Broadbridge memorial trophy for most votes in Sandringham’s best and fairest by a Melbourne player: Ryan Ferguson.