2010 Brownlow Player Preview: Adam Cooney

Name: Adam Cooney
Club: Western Bulldogs
2009 Brownlow Performance: Outside Top 20
Total Votes: 3
Total Votes Breakdown, 3 2 1:
1, 0, 0
Predicted 2010 Brownlow Finish: Top 5.
Brownlow Odds: $31 (Courtesy of TAB)

First off, let me highlight the sheer value that Coondog is currently offering at $31. Keep in mind this is a bloke who only recently conquered all and beat Ablett to the Brownlow in 2008, so how the bookies can write him off so nonchalantly is beyond comprehension. In recent weeks, punters have been vindicating this very fact using their own hard earned, with Cooney shortening from his starting price of $51. Personally, i was too slow to jump on, but for those who did you'd be quite happy and quietly confident. But despite his massive drop in odds, he still offers great value at $31, so if you're of the opinion he's a massive chance for 2010 you still have the chance to have a flutter.

Most astounding about his odds is when you compare his to those that are being offered for other players. It is here where you begin to see his real value. For example, another previous Brownlow medalist in Bartel is priced at $26, and yet he has Ablett there not only to contend with, but most probably steal his votes as he did last season. What this says to me is that the price being offered for Cooney is over the odds, and if anything, both Bartel and Cooney should be priced equally.

So with Cooney only receiving 3 Brownlow votes for the entire 2009 season, why did he suffer such a massive fall from grace following his win in the year prior? If i recall correctly he had a very limited pre-season, hampered with both knee and groin problems early on, and from then on had trouble regaining both fitness and form. However, by mid season he finally started to hit his straps and, as it were, was unlucky to only receive 3 votes having played a major part in the Dogs' run towards the finals, averaging 29 disposals in the last 15 games.

However, in stark contrast to last year, Cooney has had an injury free pre-season thus far, and by all reports is experiencing his best pre-season yet. Like many others, i'm of the strong belief that the Doggies will come very close to taking out the premiership in 2010, if not winning it outright. Given this, you'd suggest Cooney would have to play a major hand if this were to transpire, and therefore inevitably have a massive season. With this in mind, Cooney is potentially a big show and is one to watch out for; moreso if the Dogs are looking early on to have as equally as big a season as the man himself.