'I'm the Party Poopaaah!' - Round 4, 2012 Wrap.

After making such a statement to the AFL world and the wider media last week with their thumping of the Pies, it all came crashing down for Carlton as the hardly fancied Essendon team made them look second rate. Stanton continued his great run of form this year, and likewise Watson played a standout game, to throw their names among a host of others vying for votes.

But the biggest and most significant news to come from this round was the knee injury sustained by the little champion Gary Ablett. Whilst all reports indicate it's not as serious as first thought, the prospect of missing 2-3 weeks may put a slight dent in his Brownlow aspirations this year. But as I always say when it comes to champs like GAJ; never write him off! I just hope he can continue his scintillating run of form when he recovers and make headway towards having another Charlie draped around his neck as he is most definitely the best player in the competition at the moment.

In other Brownlow news, Pendlebury came out and blew off the cobwebs of last week's lacklustre performance by producing an awesome display. Likewise, Dane Swan was pivotal in what was a hard fought, bounce-back win by the Pies.

Below is a list of those who I thought were 'KEY PLAYERS' in each match. Take note that I am deliberately randomising the list, and in no way does the order I list them in reflect who I think will get the 3, 2, 1's. 

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St. Kilda vs. Fremantle:

Possible Votes: S. Hill, L. Hayes, T. Mzungu


Carlton vs. Essendon:

Possible Votes: J. Watson, S. Crameri, B. Stanton


Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide:

Possible Votes: S. Pendlebury, D. Swan, T. Boak


Adelaide vs. GWS:

Possible Votes: K. Tippett, N. Van Berlo, C. Ward


West Coast vs. Hawthorn:

Possible Votes: D. Kerr, B. Waters, S. Mitchell


Brisbane vs. Gold Coast:

Possible Votes: T. Rockliff, S. Black, G. Ablett


Geelong vs. Richmond:

Possible Votes: J. Bartel, J. Selwood, T. Cotchin, B. Deledio


Sydney vs. North Melbourne:

Possible Votes: K. Jack, L. Parker, J. McVeigh


Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs:

Possible Votes:  L. Dahlhaus, A. Cooney, R. Murphy

'Blues devour Pies' - Round 3, 2012 Wrap.

Coming into the match, questions were asked over whether Carlton could take the next step in announcing themselves as a genuine flag threat by overcoming one of their most fierce rivals. By the end of the match one thing was for sure; they were either going to be labelled contenders or pretenders - and they answered in the most emphatic style, trouncing the Pies by 60 points.

The loss of Ball and Reid midway through the match didn't help Collingwood's cause, but it was the immense pressure Carlton was able to apply so relentlessly that was most effective, and by far the most promising aspect of their style of play. In ascertaining as to who was BOG, the outstanding performances from both Murphy and Judd alike made it a difficult task to try and split the two, but both should most definitely figure in the votes.

Below is a list of those who I thought were 'KEY PLAYERS' in each match. Take note that I am deliberately randomising the list, and in no way does the order I list them in reflect who I think will get the 3, 2, 1's. 

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Carlton vs. Collingwood:

Possible Votes: M. Murphy, C. Judd, A. Carrazzo, S. Scotland


Richmond vs. Melbourne:

Possible Votes: T. Cotchin, N. Foley, S. Grigg, S. Tuck


Port Adelaide vs. Sydney

Possible Votes: J. Kennedy, D. Hannebery, L. Parker, D. Cassisi


Fremantle vs. Brisbane:

Possible Votes: C. Pearce, P. Duffield, M. Barlow, T. Mzungu


Gold Coast vs. Essendon:

Possible Votes: G. Ablett, J. Watson, P. Ryder, S. Crameri


Western Bulldogs vs. St. Kilda:

Possible Votes: N. Dal Santo, L. Hayes, L. Montagna, B. Goddard


GWS vs. West Coast:

Possible Votes: S. Selwood, L. Shuey, C. Masten, A. Gaff


Hawthorn vs Adelaide:

Possible Votes: B. Whitecross, J. Gibson, J. Lewis, P. Dangerfield


North Melbourne vs. Geelong:

Possible Votes: J. Ziebell, D. Wells, D. Swallow, B. Harvey, R. Bastinac

'Giants Brought Down to Size' - Round 2, 2012 Wrap.

The baptism of fire continued for the newcomers of the AFL, with the Giants sustaining a whopping 129 point loss at the hands of North Melbourne. While it's hard to take positives away from such a lacklustre effort, there were shining lights in the form of a few of their younger brigade. Greene looks quite the player; Giles has held his own in his first 2 games against tough opposition in Mumford, and McIntosh/Goldstein; whilst Bugg, Kennedy, Smith and Shiel have shown enough to suggest they'll be key players of the future for the Giants.

In Brownlow news, Ablett has posted another 40+ possession game in another big loss for the Suns, to suggest he is among the top of the list of players who are ones to watch throughout the season. Meanwhile, Murphy and Judd will be fighting over top honours in their massive win against Brisbane, whilst Pendlebury will be vying for full votes after producing another promising performance.

Below is a list of those who I thought were 'KEY PLAYERS' in each match. Take note that I am deliberately randomising the list, and in no way does the order I list them in reflect who I think will get the 3, 2, 1's. 

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Brisbane vs Carlton:

Possible Votes: M. Murphy, A. Carrazzo, C. Judd, J. Waite

Essendon vs Port Adelaide:

Possible Votes: B. Stanton, J. Watson, L. Jetta, P. Ryder

Sydney vs Fremantle:

Possible Votes: N. Fyfe, J. Kennedy, A. Sandilands, A. Goodes

West Coast vs Melbourne:

Possible Votes: L. Shuey, M. Priddis, S. Selwood

Collingwood vs Richmond:

Possible Votes: B. Deledio, S. Pendlebury, T. Cotchin, D. Thomas

Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs:

Possible Votes: S. Thompson, M. Boyd, R. Sloane

North Melbourne vs GWS:

Possible Votes: B. Harvey, L. Anthony, R. Bastinac, A. Swallow

St. Kilda vs Gold Coast:

Possible Votes: G. Ablett, B. Goddard, L. Hayes, N. Riewoldt

Geelong vs Hawthorn:

Possible Votes: S. Mitchell, J. Bartel, T. Hawkins, J. Selwood

'A Giant Task' - Round 1, 2012 Wrap.

Well, another season is underway and damn it's good to have footy back for 2012!

Last year didn't quite go as expected with Swan stealing the 2011 Brownlow right from underneath the nose of hot favourite Chris Judd. But as we enter a new season there remain a host of players that will ensure that the race to become the 2012 Brownlow medalist will be hotly contested. The young brigade made up predominantly of Pendlebury, Selwood and Murphy are edging closer and closer to the winning the AFL's highest honour; could this be the season they come to the forefront and push aside the older heads in Judd/Mitchell/Swan etc. Another player that could also be included in that list is another previous Brownlow medalist who goes by the name of Gary Ablett. Not sure if you've heard of him, but he polled an amazing 23 votes to finish equal 6th (alongside Judd) in a season in which his team finished last. That takes some talent to poll that many votes - particularly given that a majority of the games he played in were thrashings. As arguably the best player in the competition he's sure to give it a shake this year.

Throughout the season I will be listing the names of who I think were the 'KEY PLAYERS' from each match every round. Take note that I am deliberately randomising the list, and in no way does the order I list them in reflect who I think will get the 3, 2, 1's. Sometimes I will list more than 3 players, so this will be more evident. I will release my final tally come the end of the season, and if you have any questions, queries or recommendations feel free to shoot me an email at: brownlowtalk@gmail.com

Here's to a fun and successful Brownlow season ahead!

Cheers!

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Greater Western Sydney vs Sydney:

Possible Votes: L. Jetta, J Kennedy, K. Jack, C. Bird

Richmond vs Carlton:

Possible Votes: T. Cotchin, C. Judd, M. Murphy, M. Kreuzer, C. Yarran

Hawthorn vs Collingwood:

Possible Votes: S. Mitchell, L. Franklin, S. Pendlebury, C. Rioli

Melbourne vs Brisbane:

Possible Votes: J. Adcock, T. Rockliff, S. Black

Gold Coast vs Adelaide:

Possible Votes: R. Sloane, S. Thompson, G. Ablett, K. Tippett

Fremantle vs Geelong: 

Possible Votes: A. Sandilands, N. Fyfe, J. Bartel, J. Selwood

North Melbourne vs Essendon:

Possible Votes: D. Wells, J. Watson, B. Stanton, P. Ryder

Western Bulldogs vs West Coast:

Possible Votes: J. Kennedy, M. Priddis, S. Selwood, M. Boyd

Port Adelaide vs St Kilda:

Possible Votes: N. Dal Santo, B. Ebert, H. Hartlett, K. Cornes