"Don't you know who I am? I'm the Juddernaut bitch!' Round 5, 2010 Wrap - 3, 2, 1 Votes.

May i cast your minds back to my pre-season analysis of a certain Chris Judd where i made the warning that he could still threaten for the Brownlow, despite missing the first 3 games of the season. This is what i said...

"In summary, don't be fooled by the fact he'll be out for the first 3. Does anyone else fondly remember his injury riddled 2007 where he played 19 games, and yet polled 16 votes in the first 8 games?"

"This is one bloke you simply cannot underestimate"

URL: http://brownlowtalk.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-brownlow-player-preview-chris-judd.html

Given his performances over the past fornight, i'd say my prediction was dead right, with my vote tally showing he has been BOG in his first two games. I may have posted last week that Ablett already had the Brownlow sewn up based on his performances up until Round 5... but that's not if Judd has anything to do with it!

Western Bulldogs V Adelaide:
3. R. Griffen
2. D. Giansiracusa
1. N. Eagleton

Sydney V West Coast:
3. J. McVeigh
2. R. O'Keefe
1. K. Jack

Melbourne V Brisbane:
3. B. Moloney
2. J. Trengove
1. M. Bate

Port Adelaide V St. Kilda
3. D. Rodan
2. L. Montagna
1. D. Cassissi

Collingwood V Essendon:
3. S. Pendlebury
2. D. Beams
1. S. Wellingham

Hawthorn V North Melbourne:
3. L. Anthony
2. L. Hodge
1. B. Rawlings

Fremantle V Richmond:
3. A. Sandilands
2. M. Barlow
1. D. Mundy

Carlton V Geelong:
3. C. Judd
2. G. Ablett
1. B. Gibbs

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leaderboard
11 - G. Ablett (+)
8 - A. Sandilands (+)
7 - J. Brennan*
7 - M. Barlow (+)
6 - C. Judd (+)
6 - N. Riewoldt
6 - J. Brown
5 - H. Shaw
5 - L. Hodge (+)
5 - T. Boak
5 - R. O'Keefe (+)
5 - R. Griffen (+)
5 - B. Moloney (+)
4 - S. Pendlebury (+)
4 - J. Bartel
4 - L. Hayes
4 - B. Goddard
4 - M. Murphy
4 - A. Goodes (+)

Note: (*) Ineligible. (+) Ranking Rise. (-) Ranking Drop.

Only 4 rounds in, but is it already a case of 'Cat in the Bag'? Round 4, 2010 Wrap - 3, 2, 1 Votes.

Gazza Ablett. Questions were posed of him before the start of the season, particularly those in relation as to where he'll be playing come next season. Others - namely punters - were asking, if he had the ability to go back to back in the Brownlow medal, and as each round progresses it appears more and more likely that it is going to become a reality. So does he have the Brownlow in the bag? Again this week he played a scorcher, amassing a massive 37 possessions, 4 tackles and kicking 3.3. Granted, nearly every member of the Geelong team played well against Port on the weekend, and yet despite this, arguably Gary Ablett still stands out as the best player on the park - which is testament to his influence on the game and his absolute dominance.

And the bookies are becoming ever so weary early on, most recently slicing his odds from $5 into $4, whilst the gap in competition widens with the next best in Brown and Judd at $13. As much as the bookies would rather not admit, it appears the classy cat could already be out of the bag.

West Coast V Essendon:
3. M. Priddis
2. N. Naitanui
1. A. Embley

North Melbourne V Sydney:
3. D. Hannebery
2. A. Goodes
1. D. Bradshaw

Adelaide V Carlton:
3. C. Judd
2. M. Murphy
1. A. Walker

Collingwood V Hawthorn:
3. H. Shaw
2. D. Thomas
1. S. Sidebottom

Brisbane V Western Bulldogs:
3. J. Brennan
2. L. Power
1. M. Rischitelli

Richmond V Melbourne:
3. C. Sylvia
2. B. Moloney
1. J. McDonald

Geelong V Port Adelaide:
3. G. Ablett
2. J. Corey
1. H. Taylor

St. Kilda V Fremantle:
3. N. Dal Santo
2. B. Goddard
1. L. Hayes

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEADERBOARD AT CONCLUSION OF ROUND 4:
9 - G. Ablett (+)
7 - J. Brennan* (+)
6 - N. Riewoldt
6 - J. Brown
5 - A. Sandilands
5 - H. Shaw (+)
5 - M. Barlow
5 - T. Boak
4 - J. Bartel
4 - L. Hayes (+)
4 - B. Goddard (+)
4 - M. Murphy (+)
4 - A. Goodes (+)
4 - M. Rischitelli (+)
4 - James McDonald (+)
4 - M. Boyd
4 - B. Harvey
4 - B. McGlynn

Note: (*) Ineligible. (+) Ranking Rise. (-) Ranking Drop.

'Rubbing "Voldt" into the Wound' Round 3, 2010 Wrap - 3, 2, 1 Votes.

Round 3 ... what a round of football! Where, do i begin?

Among the hot topics included Mick Malthouse's onfield spat with Milne, which he then followed up with a straight up lie to the media denying the incident ever occurred, and only earlier today lying once again about having ever... erm... lied. You think that is confusing, well take the handful of Richmond players who quite literally drowned their sorrows by getting pissed in the early hours of the morning, not too long after their thumping in Sydney.

But by far the biggest story onfield was that which occurred first up on Friday night, with Nick Riewoldt sustaining a major hamstring injury, denting the premiership aspirations of the Saints and simultaneously crippling the hopes of those punters who may have already had a bet on him. You could say he left them feeling 'hamstrung', if you will... ok, ok enough with the cheesy puns.

With recent scans having revealed he will be out for up to a maximum 4 months, any chance he may of had at claiming the Brownlow has now all but evaporated. And if you've been following my round by round phantom Brownlow votes up until now, you'll have noticed I had the 'Voldt' leading with 6 votes at the conclusion of Round 3, so he was in spectacular form. It may be bold of me to say, but of the other St. Kilda players, i'm tipping Hayes will now receive much of the attention umpires were affording Riewoldt when they were drafting up their votes. Now that may just be the man-crush I have for him taking precedence, but in all seriousness, watch this space.

St Kilda vs Collingwood
3. L. Hayes
2. S. Gilbert
1. J. Gram

North Melbourne vs West Coast
3. B. Harvey
2. A. Swallow
1. D. Wells

Port Adelaide vs Brisbane Lions
3. M. Rischitelli
2. J. Sherman
1. J. Brown

Sydney vs Richmond
3. J. Bolton
2. B. McGlynn
1. H. Grundy

Carlton vs Essendon
3. J. Watson
2. N. Lovett-Murray
1. D. Fletcher

Melbourne vs Adelaide
3. James McDonald
2. J. Frawley
1. J. Grimes

Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn
3. B. Boyd
2. R. Griffen
1. C. Rioli

Fremantle vs Geelong
3. M. Pavlich
2. G. Ablett
1. S. Hill

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEADERBOARD AT CONCLUSION OF ROUND 2:
6 - N. Riewoldt
6 - J. Brown (+)
6 - G. Ablett (+)
5 - A. Sandilands
5 - M. Barlow
5 - T. Boak
4 - J. Bartel
4 - M. Boyd (+)
4 - B. Harvey (+)
4 - J. Brennan*
4 - B. McGlynn (+)
3 - L. Hayes
3 - A. Cooney
3 - M. Pavlich
3 - S. Gilbert (+)
3 - M. Rischitelli
3 - L. Hodge
3 - D. Swan
3 - A. Davey
3 - K. Cornes
3 - R. O'Keefe
3 - S. Byrnes
3 - A. Carrazzo
3 - J. Watson
3 - James McDonald
3 - J. Bolton
2 - A. Goodes
2 - R. Griffen
2 - H. Shaw
2 - A. Swallow
2 - J. Sherman
2 - R. Petterd
2 - J. Lewis
2 - A. Selwood
2 - M. Murphy
2 - B. Goddard
2 - E. Betts
2 - D. Cross
2 - N. Lovett-Murray
2 - J. Frawley
1 - S. Black
1 - S. Mitchell
1 - J. Gram
1 - M. Kreuzer
1 - H. Ballantyne
1 - C. Enright
1 - P. Hasleby
1 - S. Pendlebury
1 - L. Montagna
1 - J. Davenport
1 - L. Gilbee
1 - D. Wells
1 - H. Grundy
1 - P. Dangerfield
1 - D. Fletcher
1 - J. Grimes
1 - C. Rioli
1 - S. Hill

Note: (*) Ineligible. (+) Ranking Rise. (-) Ranking Drop.

'Attack of the Giants!' Round 2, 2010 Wrap - 3, 2, 1 Votes.

Unlike the season opener a week prior, this rounds games brought about a few results from left field - upsets, shelackings, as well as performances from particular big men that stood out like... well, ducks nuts. One such player was the rampaging Jonathan Brown, who tore my team a new one on Thursday night and announced himself as a genuine chance at giving the Brownlow a fair shake in 2010. With Fev playing by his side as a foil/decoy, expect Browny to trouble most teams this year and have, what I predict will be, his best season of footy yet. With all this fuss in the media about him wasting time for throwing two chairs, and a photographers bag out of his way as he took a set shot for goal on the boundary, if his form continues, he can throw as many chairs as he likes. Or, at the very least, do it for some more hilarity!

I'm a big believer that forwards are always behind the 8-ball when it comes to receiving the umpires 3 votes ahead of midfielders, but he is playing such awesome football at the moment that i'm starting to believe he has a very big chance at winning the Brownlow this year. If any big men were to do so, it'd be him, with Riewoldt trailing close behind. Indeed, worrying signs for opposition teams out there!

Another eye-opener was watching the big 211cm giant trample over Essendon, and he'll come very close to being BOG unless his new partner in crime Barlow steals his thunder. These two are in top nick, and are shaping up to be quite a formidable duo! Good initiative by 'Anonymous', who last week posted in reply to my Round 1 votes that he jumped on Barlow at 400-1 each way for the Brownlow. He's already drifted into 100-1, and will only get shorter. He probably won't win it, but a top 5 finish wouldn't be out of the question.

Round 2, 2010.

Brisbane Lions V Carlton:
3. Jonathan Brown
2. Marc Murphy
1. Jared Brennan

Collingwood V Melbourne:
3. Aaron Davey
2. Ricky Petterd
1. Scott Pendlebury

West Coast V Port Adelaide:
3. Travis Boak
2. Adam Selwood
1. Jason Davenport

St. Kilda V North Melbourne:
3. Nick Riewoldt
2. Brendon Goddard
1. Leigh Montagna

Adelaide V Sydney:
3. Ryan O'Keefe
2. Ben McGlynn
1. Patrick Dangerfield

Essendon V Fremantle:
3. Aaron Sandilands
2. Michael Barlow
1. Paul Hasleby

Richmond V Western Bulldogs:
3. Adam Cooney
2. Daniel Cross
1. Lindsay Gilbee

Hawthorn V Geelong:
3. Jimmy Bartel
2. Gary Ablett
1. Corey Enright
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEADERBOARD AT CONCLUSION OF ROUND 2:
6 - N. Riewoldt
5 - J. Brown
5 - A. Sandilands
5 - M. Barlow
5 - T. Boak
4 - G. Ablett
4 - J. Bartel
4 - J. Brennan*
3 - A. Cooney
3 - L. Hodge
3 - D. Swan
3 - A. Davey
3 - K. Cornes
3 - R. O'Keefe
3 - S. Byrnes
3 - A. Carrazzo
2 - A. Goodes
2 - H. Shaw
2 - R. Petterd
2 - J. Lewis
2 - A. Selwood
2 - M. Murphy
2 - B. Goddard
2 - E. Betts
2 - D. Cross
2 - B. McGlynn
1 - S. Black
1 - S. Gilbert
1 - S. Mitchell
1 - M. Boyd
1 - B. Harvey
1 - M. Kreuzer
1 - H. Ballantyne
1 - C. Enright
1 - P. Hasleby
1 - S. Pendlebury
1 - L. Montagna
1 - J. Davenport
1 - L. Gilbee
1 - P. Dangerfield

Note: (*) Ineligible.

Like a fine wine! - Round 1, 2010 Wrap - 3, 2, 1 Votes.

Round 1 didn't bring about too many surprises, with 6 of the 8 favourites victorious in their respective matches. There was, however, one young bloke by the name of Michael Barlow for the Dockers who had a ripper of a debut game, amassing 33 disposals, 4 clearances, 6 marks, and scoring 2.1. Such was his impact, he eclipsed former Brisbane Lion Bradd Dalziell’s record of 32 possessions on debut. Not a bad way to kick start your career in the AFL! For that effort I feel he's a near certainty to collect votes, whether it's 3 votes or only 2 remains to be seen, as I can't remember anyone in recent memory having scored 3 votes on debut. But if anyone else out there knows otherwise, feel free to comment down below.

Also i'd be interested to hear other peoples opinions on who they'd give their 3, 2, 1 votes to in Round 1, so comment away!

Carlton V Richmond
3. Carrazzo
2. Betts
1. Kreuzer

Geelong V Essendon
3. Byrnes
2. Ablett
1. Bartel

Melbourne V Hawthorn
3. Hodge
2. Lewis
1. Mitchell

Sydney V St Kilda
3. Riewoldt
2. Goodes
1. Gilbert

Brisbane V West Coast
3. Brennan
2. J. Brown
1. Black

Port Adelaide V North Melbourne
3. Kornes
2. Boak
1. Harvey

Western Bulldogs V Collingwood
3. Swan
2. Shaw
1. Boyd

Fremantle V Adelaide
3. Barlow
2. Sandilands
1. Ballantyne

Season 2010 is upon us - BRING IT ON!!!

Well, the 2010 season officially kicks off this Thursday night in the match between Carlton v Richmond, and it couldn't have come quick enough! This also means that now is your last chance to make any pre-season bets on players you see as value before their odds change come the conclusion of Round 1.

To mark this, with reference to particular players, allow me to analyze the difference in the odds that are currently being offered to those which were initially offered when the Brownlow market first opened; thus highlighting some the market's most notable movers, shakers, and heartbreakers. All odds are courtesy of the TAB.

• Adam Cooney - NOW: $21.00 THEN: $51.00

In my last blog entry I cited the value in Coondog, and announced that he would shorten further from $31.00. Since then he has been continuing to show solid form throughout the NAB Pre-Season Comp and, as a result, has been slashed into $21.00. For those still interested in having a dabble, the best odds on him are being offered by Sportingbet @ $34.00. Also, he's quite good value in their Top 5 market @ $7.50.

• Joel Selwood - NOW: $17.00 THEN: $21.00

He still remains my smokey for the Brownlow this year, and his pre-season form hasn't done his chances any harm. He is currently 5th favourite, and at $17.00 is at slightly longer odds than that of the same time last year when $15.00 was being offered about him. Interesting indeed!

• Nic Naitanui - NOW: $51.00 THEN: $501.00

Granted, this kid is a freak and is a very strong chance to win the NAB Rising Star, but to suggest he'll win the Brownlow in just his second season is hilarious. He is still quite raw, and whilst he possesses a lot of natural ability, he still has much to learn in order to sharpen up his game. Not out of the realms of possibility that he'll one day have a Charlie hanging around his neck, but it won't be this year. Betting on NicNat is akin to making a monetary donation, so i'd suggest if you're in any way tempted, to bypass this bloke and give it to a charity instead.

• Gary Ablett - NOW: $6.00 THEN: $7.00
  

No surprises here. Despite the fact he has only shortened by a solitary dollar, it still indicates that he is quite resoundingly the punters favourite in 2010, with daylight separating him from the next best at $13.00. It will be interesting to see if all this talk surrounding his future at Geelong has any influence on his performances throughout the season. But if there is any sign of unrest in his mind, it'll be evident in the early rounds.

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.