'Bye Pt. 1' - Round 11, 2012 Wrap.

We've now entered the torturous stage of the season for AFL fans - the dreaded bye rounds! 

Not only does it cause problems for those of us avid DT and SC players, but it means supporters of 6 clubs will have to go without watching their team take the field in 1 out of the next 3 weeks.

May it go as quick as ever!

This week we see Watson once again likely to feature in the votes. With Pendles out, he is emerging as the candidate to overtake the Pies youngster as the outright favourite for the Brownlow. Pendles would want to be hoping Watson's form lets up over the next few weeks, as he'll still be watching on from the sidelines with his cracked shin.

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. Geelong:

Possible Votes: J. Selwood, K. Simpson, M. Duncan

Richmond vs. Fremantle:

Possible Votes: M. DeBoer, T. Cotchin, M. Pavlich

Gold Coast vs. St Kilda:

Possible Votes: N. Riewoldt, L. Hayes, N. Dal Santo

Essendon vs Sydney:

Possible Votes: L. Jetta, J. Bolton, J. Watson

Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn:

Possible Votes: B. Sewell, S. Mitchell, L. Franklin

Melbourne vs. Collingwood:

Possible Votes: D. Swan, D. Beams, S. Sidebottom

'No. 53: Sweet & Sour' - Round 10, 2012 Wrap.

In what was considered one of the biggest 'upset' rounds this year, we had Melbourne notch up their first win over a highly fancied Dons lineup; Hawthorn smash North Melbourne, with Buddy Franklin bagging 13 goals to individually kick a greater score than North; Port smash the struggling Blues; and Brisbane sneak over the line against one of the top flag favourites in the Eagles.

It was like a round straight out of the Twilight Zone. 

But it didn't end there folks! In the last match of the round, Gary Ablett went on to notch up a massive 53 possessions - equalling Greg Williams' record for most possessions in a match. Even stranger is that his direct opponent - Dale Thomas - was considered to have had an equally as effective match and is widely tipped to pip the little bald wizard for the full Brownlow votes.

And then there was the awful news that the Brownlow medal favourite in Pendlebury had sustained a slight fracture in his shin, which would likely sideline him until after Collingwood's bye round. Let's hope it's a speedy recovery!

In summary, all I can say is: What sorcery is this?! :O

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. Richmond:

Possible Votes: J. Riewoldt, T. Cotchin, D. Armitage, B. Deledio, I. Maric

Geelong vs. GWS:

Possible Votes: S. Johnson, J. Bartel, J. Kelly, P. Chapman

Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne:

Possible Votes: L. Franklin, S. Mitchell, D. Hale, B. Sewell

Fremantle vs. Adelaide:

Possible Votes: R. Sloane, P. Dangerfield, M. Wright, L. McPharlin

Essendon vs. Melbourne:

Possible Votes: N. Jones, J. Watson, C. Garland, B. Moloney

Port Adelaide vs. Carlton:

Possible Votes: H. Hartlett, M. Broadbent, Brad Ebert, J. Schulz

Brisbane vs West Coast:

Possible Votes: J. Drummond, M. Priddis, C. Masten

Sydney vs Western Bulldogs:

Possible Votes: J. Bolton, K. Jack, D. Hannebery, L. Jetta

Collingwood vs. Gold Coast:

Possible Votes: G. Ablett, D. Thomas, S. Wellingham, D. Beams

'Tigers Roar Passion' - Round 9, 2012 Wrap.

Richmond came away with a surprise win this round against what proved to be a very lacklustre Hawks outfit, who struggled all day. It was a case of role-reversals, with the Hawks lacking any real intensity - ironically attributed to Richmond in recent times - whereas the Tigers were actually playing like the flag favourites.

One man who has rose to Brownlow prominence over the past few weeks is that of Richmond young gun Trent Cotchin. He played an absolute blinder and should be well in contention for 2 or 3 votes at the very least. He has emerged as a genuine smokey, and has all the makings of a future Brownlow medalist, so keep an eye on the markets if his form continues as his odds will definitely be reeled in by the ever nervous bookies.

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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Western Bulldogs vs. Geelong:

Possible Votes: S. Johnson, P. Chapman, S. Motlop

Richmond vs. Hawthorn:

Possible Votes: T. Cotchin, S. Tuck, I. Maric

Gold Coast vs. Port Adelaide:

Possible Votes: T. Boak, B. Ebert, D. Pearce

St. Kilda vs. Sydney:

Possible Votes: L. Hayes, J. Steven, D. Armitage

GWS vs Essendon:

Possible Votes: D. Zaharakis, J. Watson, T. Bellchambers

Adelaide vs. Collingwood:

Possible Votes: S. Sidebottom, D. Beams, S. Pendlebury

North Melbourne vs. Brisbane:

Possible Votes: T. Goldstein, J. Redden, A. Swallow

Carlton vs. Melbourne:

Possible Votes: M. Robinson, B. McLean, D. Ellard

West Coast vs. Fremantle:

Possible Votes: L. Shuey, M. Rosa, B. Waters

'Great Scott!" - Round 8, 2012 Wrap.

It was another entertaining encounter between GF rivals Collingwood and Geelong on Friday night, but it was the scintillating performance of Scott Pendlebury that really caught the eye.

Pendlebury was the catalyst for the Pies win in the end, amassing 30 disposals, and kicking a sizeable bag of 4 goals. He has now drawn into outright favouritism for the Brownlow by nearly every bookie in the land. He has been my favourite since the pre-season, along with Ablett. With Swan now reportedly out for up to 2-3 weeks, it will certainly help Pendles' cause and allow him to take centre-stage and amass the votes.

Where do you have him at the moment, and can the young Pie sustain his form and go all the way?

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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Collingwood vs. Geelong:

Possible Votes: S. Pendlebury, S. Sidebottom, S. Selwood

Port Adelaide vs. North Melbourne:

Possible Votes: J. Schulz, D. Pearce, A. Swallow

Hawthorn vs. Fremantle:

Possible Votes: B. Sewell, J. Lewis, C. Young, M. Barlow

Sydney vs. Melbourne:

Possible Votes: K. Jack, L. Jetta, R. O'Keefe, D. Hannebery

Western Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast:

Possible Votes: R. Griffen, M. Boyd, B. Lake, D. Cross, G. Ablett

Essendon vs. Richmond:

Possible Votes: B. Deledio, T. Cotchin, B. Stanton, J. Watson

Brisbane Lions vs. GWS:

Possible Votes: D. Merrett, T. Rockliff, J. Brown

Carlton vs. Adelaide:

Possible Votes: P. Dangerfield, R. Sloane, S. Thompson

West Coast vs. St. Kilda:

Possible Votes: D. Cox, S. Selwood, B. Waters

'History in the Making' - Round 7, 2012 Wrap.

Who would have thunk it?!

In what was seemingly tipped to be an inaugural season of horror for the AFL newbies in GWS, they have done the unthinkable and beaten their 'big brother' - the Gold Coast Suns. With the return of Gary Ablett to the Suns, many expected the Suns to bully the GWS. But even the great man himself couldn't help get the Suns over the line, with the GWS running out the game strongly to notch their first win for the season, and overall for the club. 

It's been a promising past few weeks for the Giants who have been gallant in defeat, after pushing the likes of the Western Bulldogs and Carlton to the extreme.

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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Melbourne vs. Hawthorn:

Possible Votes: J. Lewis, L. Franklin, B. Sewell, M. Suckling

Adelaide vs. Geelong:

Possible Votes: S. Coniglio, J. Giles, G. Ablett, C. Ward

GWS vs. Gold Coast:

Possible Votes: R. Sloane, S. Thompson, B. Reilly

Richmond vs. Sydney:

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

Essendon vs. West Coast:

Possible Votes: D. Zaharakis, J. Watson, B. Stanton

Brisbane vs. Collingwood:

Possible Votes: S. Sidebottom, D. Swan, H. Shaw, S. Pendlebury

North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs:

Possible Votes: B. Lake, R. Griffen, M. Boyd, M. Wallis

Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide:

Possible Votes: S. Hill, M. Pavlich, P. Duffield, A. Sandilands

St. Kilda vs. Carlton:

Possible Votes: F. Ray, L. Hayes, C. Judd, J. Steven, S. Milne, D. Armitage

'O Ablett, Where Art Thou?' - Round 6, 2012 Wrap.

After setting the tone for the first 5 games of the season with scorching performances week-in-week-out, it seems rather forlorn for AFL fans and Brownlow enthusiasts alike, with Ablett still watching on from the sidelines with his knee injury. The most interesting thing is that if you check out his odds at varying betting agencies, you'll notice they haven't drifted despite missing 2 games on the trot. That indicates the bookies know he's a fair chance at the Brownlow this year, and an even better chance at rekindling the same trailblazing form he was in prior to his injury.

Can Ablett still win the Brownlow despite missing 2 games? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.


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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Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood:

Possible Votes: D. Beams, R. Griffen, S. Pendlebury

Essendon vs. Brisbane:

Possible Votes: B. Stanton, J. Watson, S. Lonergan, D. Heppell

Geelong vs. Melbourne:

Possible Votes: S. Johnson, J. Corey, S. Motlop, A. Christensen

Gold Coast vs. Fremantle:

Possible Votes: H. Bennell, C. Mayne, K. Hunt, R. Crowley

St. Kilda vs. Hawthorn:

Possible Votes: L. Franklin, C. Rioli, J. Koschitzke, J. Lewis 

Sydney vs Adelaide:

Possible Votes: P. Dangerfield, S. Thompson, L. Jetta, J. Kennedy

Carlton vs. GWS:

Possible Votes: M. Robinson, K. Simpson, S. Hampson, B. Gibbs

Port Adelaide vs. Richmond:

Possible Votes: S. Tuck, I. Maric, B. Deledio

West Coast vs. North Melbourne:

Possible Votes: D. Cox, S. Selwood, S. Hurn

'Swanning Around' - Round 5, 2012 Wrap.

In what is always an action packed match between two traditional rivals on such a significant day, this week's Anzac Day match was certainly no exception. After trouncing another fierce rival in Carlton the week prior, Essendon came into the match beaming with confidence, only to fall agonisingly short; a solitary point.

The major talking point - certainly in Brownlow terms - was the eye-catching performance of the reigning Brownlow Medallist in Dane Swan. Amassing a lethal 42 possessions and kicking 3 goals, Swan did as he pleased to help the Pies withstand a late Bombers onslaught, and take out the Anzac Day Medal for BOG. I'm probably one of Swan's biggest critics, but today he was unstoppable! In fact, I reckon it's the best game i've seen him play. Lock in the 3 votes here for sure! After a relatively quiet start to the season, could this be the game to kick him into gear towards claiming back to back Charlies?

Of the other notable players, Pendlebury also played a decent game, and will be vying for votes alongside Sidebottom, and Beams.


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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Collingwood vs. Essendon:

Possible Votes: D. Swan, S. Pendlebury, S. Sidebottom, D. Beams

Fremantle vs. Carlton:

Possible Votes: K. Simpson, M. Murphy, H. Scotland, M. Robinson

GWS vs. Western Bulldogs:

Possible Votes: M. Boyd, R. Griffen, J. Cameron, D. Cross

North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast:

Possible Votes: A. Swallow, L. Thomas, J. MacMillan, S. Atley

Melbourne vs. St Kilda:

Possible Votes: L. Hayes, N. Dal Santo, N. Jones

Brisbane vs. Geelong:

Possible Votes: T. Hawkins, P. Chapman, A. Christensen

Hawthorn vs. Sydney:

Possible Votes: J. Kennedy, A. Goodes, C. Bird

Richmond vs. West Coast:

Possible Votes: M. Priddis, D. Kerr, T. Cotchin, N. Naitanui

Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide:

Possible Votes: P. Dangerfield, S. Thompson, T. Walker