Swooper1987

We've been very fortunate with quality rucks in my time supporting the Demons. I first remember Big Carl, then Garry Baker and Crackers Keenan; into Peter Moore; then Steve O'Dwyer and Jim Stynes; Jeff White; Darren Jolly and then Mark Jamar and now the greatest of them all in Max Gawn. The ruck has never been a position we've had to worry too much about. We seem to be good at finding them.

Defence stood tall and pressure forwards played a massive role. That being said, nobody had more influence on the result than Gawn. Gawn Petracca Rivers Bowey Sparrow Salem

Just saw the coaches votes for the game and staggered Viney didn't poll. 9 Gawn 9 Pickett 5 Bowey 3 Petty 3 Bolton 1 Tom McDonald

I'm not sure if it's the running style and left side dominance but to me he appears to be a 2020's version of Wayne Johnston from Carlton. Johnston played in a more violent era and didn't mind the physical side of the game, but he was a very skilled ball user who didn't appear overly quick but was always a step ahead. He was also one of the best big game players of all time. Langford knows where it's going and how to get it. He's also excellent at using it.

Thanks Wheelo. It seems you have exposed a major flaw in the rating system.

Thanks for this. How is Gawn's last quarter only rated at 0.5? He had 10 disposals, 6 contested at 60% efficiency. 3 marks, a goal assist and 5 clearances as well as 9 hitouts and got two frees. From the ground he appeared by far the most influential player on the ground in the final quarter.

gawn Pickett 4. Petty Viney Bowey Rivers Great team effort. The undermanned defence did a superb job. The highlights for me were the total team focus of Gawn and Viney as leaders. Twice Gawn could have taken the easy option of covering Darcy but instead went to man the dangerous Treacy who was without an opponent. Darcy ended up with two soft goals as a result but Max put the team first. Viney did a brilliant blanketing job on Serong and was still an influential offensive player. Kudos to our two leaders.

Based on Kingsley's press conference I think he gave Gawn votes. He was pretty impressed with Max's game. Goody not voting as highly for Gawn as the opposition coaches has been a common theme and likely explains his runner up place in the Bluey last year.

Thought the mids cost us in the last. They simply couldn't go with Toby Greene. Over the entire game: 6. Gawn - dominated as you'd expect. 14 contested possessions 5. Lever - very sure and steady. Looked like the AA version of himself 4. Petty - definitely a defender 3. Lindsay - an excellent game first up. Absolute class 2. Petracca - played in bursts but did some great things 1. McDonald - as a late replacement I thought he was great. Clarry was good up until the last, and I thought Sparrow was worthy of an honourable mention. He got better as the game went on. Jack Viney had 27 disposals and only 9 were contested. He is not the guy we want having the ball dished off to.

Lamb knows how to handle himself in front of a camera. 18 years as a copper, a former Detective Sergeant, state crime squad. Nothing Twomey or any of the other media throw at him will phase him in the slightest. He'll have been on the receiving end of much bigger grillings from the judiciary than anything these guys could throw at him.

Nah, Laurie Fowler won 3 (75, 79-80) and a couple of other multiples - Wells and Alves. Flower was second in 79, 80, 82 and 83. Missed games in all but 1980, which was one of only 2 full seasons he played, the other being 1978. It's just a flawed system. Geelong had a system whereby the four lowest polling rounds were excluded for all players. That seems a pretty fair way to do it. Allows for games missed through injury to not unduly influence the result.

The Flower effect. Despite being universally regarded as our best player for most of his career, Robbie only won it once. Most seasons he'd miss a game or two. I agree.

Good point. Gawn averaged 19.3 votes per game, Viney 17.7. It does seem low, that our two best players over the season couldn't hit an average of 20 (50% of the available votes). Gawn's season especially was statistically the third best of his career. Seems quite harsh, doesn't it?

Agree. He sounded like a bloke who needs a break, a recharge and a reset.

Viney 407, Gawn 405, Nibbler 402. Both Viney and ANB played every game.