THE STRUT IS GONE

 When Toby Greene is up and about he struts shoulder's back head up and he backs it up on the field but the strut is gone and so apparently has his and the teams confidence with it.

Sure he kicked 3 against the Dogs today but they were smashed, 27 points isn't a smashing in the scoring sense but a deeper delve shows a much worrying sign. 30 scoring shots to 13 in the second half alone 17 to 5 and -21 inside 50's.

So where is it going wrong? Well today they had 2 goal kickers that has to be some sort of record and not the kind you want, they seem to have a lot of downhill skiiers players who look a million dollars when things are going well but when shit goes sideways not where to be seen, sure Kelly and Ash were missing but everyones got injuries, all of a sudden the midfield looks pedestrian and might need a kick in the ass maybe kill 2 birds with 1 stone put Toby in their from the first bounce and the strut might just return and with it the Orange Tsunami because at the moment the Orange Tsunami looks more like a ripple in the kiddies pool.

CALLUM MILLS WINS 2022 SWANS BEST AND FAIREST

 

2022 Bob Skilton Medal

1. Callum Mills - 662 
2. Chad Warner - 606 
3. James Rowbottom - 544 
4. Luke Parker - 530
5. Isaac Heeney - 529
6. Tom McCartin - 493
7. Errol Gulden - 492
8. Jake Lloyd - 489
9. Dane Rampe - 462
10. Oliver Florent - 447

How they vote: Votes are awarded by Sydney's coaching staff. A player can be awarded a maximum of 50 votes per game, and coaches can allocate up to 10 votes for as many or as few players as they deem appropriate, per match.

2022 GRAND FINAL GEELONG V SYDNEY SWANS

Well after 2 years of Covid and all sorts of other crap I've returned to post AFL crap that no one seems to read but I'm going to post anyway.

I attended my first ever Grand Final, talk about a train wreck I was so looking forward to it despite not being a fan of either team but after 10 minutes it was clear that the Cats were on and the Swans were not, but what can you do some teams just get overawed by the occasion, the final margin of 81 probably even flattered them at least Robbie Williams was up to the task he was great!

Final score 

Geelong 20.13.133 

Sydney 8.4.52

Isaac Smith was a worthy winner of the Norm Smith Medal also being the oldest ever winner at 33 years of age after collecting 33 disposals and kicking 3 goals.

The voting was as follows 

14 – Isaac Smith

10 - P.Dangerfield

4 – Tyson Stengle

1 – Sam De Koning
1 – Mark Blicavs

Judges voting – 3 2 1
Andrew McLeod (Chair) – Smith, Dangerfield, Blicavs
Jonathan Brown – Dangerfield, Smith, Stengle
Michael Gleeson – Smith, Dangerfield, De Koning
Abbey Holmes – Smith, Dangerfield, Stengle
David Mundy – Smith, Stengle, Dangerfield

2019 Trades In A Nut Shell, Nut Case More Like It!

ALL THE 2019 TRADES AND MY OPINIONS 
— BRANDON ELLIS joins Gold Coast Suns. Richmond receives a second-round draft pick as compensation (at the time of the move, Pick 39).
MY 2 CENTS: Well didn't the Suns Get A Premiership, experienced player who can fill a variety of roles from outside mid, winger or a cool head of a half back flank, Tigers have more than enough cover so a Win/Draw in my view.

— Brisbane signs Adelaide unrestricted free agent CAM ELLIS-YOLMEN. Adelaide receives a third-round draft pick as compensation (currently Pick 47).
MY 2 CENTS: Was blown away when I read that Ellis-Yolmen has only played 39 games in 6 seasons which screams injury prone but an inside big mid clearance specialist to go with their already impressive midfield, if he can play 15+ then a big win for Lions and has he rarely played Crows can't really say they lost much. Lions potenial big win

— Melbourne signs GWS unrestricted free agent ADAM TOMLINSON. Giants receive a second-round draft pick as compensation (currently Pick 40).
MY 2 CENTS: Interesting could do anything still working out his best position wait and see approach with this.

— In a three-way trade, Geelong obtains Picks 14, 24, 37 and the Eagles’ future first-round draft pick, West Coast obtains TIM KELLY, Pick 52 and the Cats’ future third-round pick, Essendon obtains Picks 33 and 57.
MY 2 CENTS: Cost the Eagles a butt load of picks but got their man and with their already potent midfield, look out AFL, Big WIN

— Brisbane signs Hawthorn unrestricted free agent GRANT BIRCHALL.
MY 2 CENTS: If he can play 15+ matches in a Luke Hodge type role then will be a big Win.

— GWS and St Kilda complete a pick swap. Saints obtain Picks 12 and 18. Giants obtain Picks 6 and 59.
MY 2 CENTS: Pick swaps BIG DEAL

— Melbourne obtains Pick 50 and Hawthorn’s future second-round pick. Hawthorn obtains SAM FROST, Picks 42 and 61 and Melbourne’s future fourth-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Hawks always manage to get the best out of so -so players so a Win for them.

— Melbourne obtains ED LANGDON, Pick 26 and Fremantle’s future fourth-round pick. Fremantle obtains Picks 22 and 79 and Melbourne’s future second-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Good Player like this result for Melbourne good Win

— Carlton obtains EDDIE BETTS Adelaide obtains Carlton’s future fourth-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: If Eddie can get 40 goals in 2020 be a huge result either way Blues fans will love it.

— Hawthorn obtains JON PATTON. The Giants acquire Melbourne’s future fourth-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: The Hawks seem to use the Giants like the Reject Shop always get a bargain.

— Melbourne obtains Pick 8. North Melbourne acquires Pick 26, Pick 50 and Melbourne’s future first-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Roos obviously don't give a crap about this year's draft, odd

— GWS Giants grab SAM JACOBS. Adelaide gets Melbourne’s future fourth-round pick (via GWS).
MY 2 CENTS: Good score Giants exactly what they need

— Adelaide obtains BILLY FRAMPTON. Port Adelaide obtains Melbourne’s future fourth-round pick (via Adelaide via GWS).
MY 2 CENTS: Wait and see with this one

— Port Adelaide obtains Picks 12, 18 and a future third-round pick. St Kilda obtains PADDY RYDER, DOUGAL HOWARD Pick 10 and a future fourth-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Saints loaded up big time in this trade period big winners

— Gold Coast obtains HUGH GREENWOOD. Adelaide obtains a future third-round pick and a future fourth-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Good win for the Suns another loss for the Crows 

— Collingwood obtains DARCY CAMERON and Pick 62. Sydney obtains Pick 56.
MY 2 CENTS: Yet to prove himself as an AFL player so as it cost nothing basically no loss either way.

— St Kilda obtain BRAD HILL and a future third-round selection. Dockers receive picks 10 and 58 in the 2019 NAB AFL National Draft, a future second-round selection and future fourth-round selection, as well as BLAKE ACRES.
MY 2 CENTS: Another great score for the Saints but the Dockers do OK with some handy picks and a handy player in Acres.

— Brisbane Lions secured CALLUM AH CHEE in exchange for giving up a future second round pick and a future fourth round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Good player on a horrible team can't wait to see what he does on a top 4 team.

— Gold Coast Suns obtain ZAC SMITH. Geelong obtain Pick 58.
MY 2 CENTS: Considering the Cats used the pick 58 they got for Smith to get Jack Steven this turned out to be a HUGE Win.

— Geelong Cats obtain JACK STEVEN. St Kilda obtain Pick 58.
MY 2 CENTS: See Above

— Sydney obtain LEWIS TAYLOR from Brisbane Lions after pick swap with Carlton. Swans send Picks 54 and 63 to Carlton for Pick 48. The Swans then traded Pick 48 for Taylor.
MY 2 CENTS: The Swans like the Hawks they always turn dicy picks into team players and Taylor is already a good player nice score.

— Carlton obtains MARC PITTONET and Pick 61. Hawthorn obtains Picks 54 and 63.
MY 2 CENTS: Well Blues needed backup in the Ruck department so wait and see.

— Essendon obtains ANDREW PHILLIPS and Picks 61 and 72. Carlton obtains Picks 57 and 70.
MY 2 CENTS: Personally I thought Zac Smith would have been a better choice as the Dons are so light on in the ruck area who knows maybe Phillips will surprise.

— Western Bulldogs obtain JOSH BRUCE. St Kilda obtains Picks 32 and 51.
MY 2 CENTS: Perfect fit for the Dogs with the Saints stacking picks to go with a big swag of players.

— Western Bulldogs obtain ALEX KEATH and a future third-round pick. Adelaide obtains Pick 45 and a future second-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS:  Fuck me with Bruce now the dogs have another key post sewn up look out.

— Essendon obtains TOM CUTLER and Pick 64. Brisbane obtains Pick 72 and a future third-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Don't know enough about Cutler to make a informed decision.

— St Kilda obtains ZAK JONES, Pick 56 and a future fourth-round pick. Sydney obtains Picks 32 and 76 and a future fourth-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Another winner for the Saints what a trade period they had!

— St Kilda obtains DAN BUTLER Richmond obtains Pick 56.
MY 2 CENTS: Can never have too many small forwards.

— Geelong obtains JOSH JENKINS and Gold Coast’s future third-round pick. Adelaide obtains Pick 37.
MY 2 CENTS: Cant believe had this much trouble getting a home and looks like he only did because of his mate Patrick Dangerfield putting in a good word with the Cats.

— North Melbourne obtains AIDEN BONAR and a future fourth-round pick. GWS obtains a future third-round pick.
MY 2 CENTS: Don't really know anything about him and before this wasn't even sure the Roos hierachy were in the country they were that quiet.

— JAMES AISH was traded to Fremantle alongside Pick 69 and a future 3rd round. Collingwood get future 2nd and 4th round picks.
MY 2 CENTS: Should be a good fit for the Dockers.

Marcus Bontempelli Wins Charles Sutton Medal As Western Bulldogs Best & Fairest In 2019

Charles Sutton Medal
How they vote: Coach Luke Beveridge and four assistants each give a vote from zero to five for each player in each game of the season. Players can receive a minimum of zero or maximum of 25 votes for any game.

Top 101. Marcus Bontempelli 299 votes
2. Josh Dunkley 270
3. Jack Macrae 268
4. Jason Johannisen 174
5. Caleb Daniel 164
6. Lachie Hunter 161
7. Easton Wood 160
8. Aaron Naughton 154
9. Sam Lloyd 153
10. Hayden Crozier 141

Luke Shuey Wins John Worsfold Medal As West Coast Eagles Best & Fairest In 2019

John Worsfold Medal
How they vote: Five members of the match committee award each player up to three votes. Each player can get a maximum of 15 per game. 

Top 10
1. Luke Shuey 258 votes
2. Elliot Yeo 239
3. Brad Sheppard 234
4. Andrew Gaff 231
5. Jack Darling 199
6. Jeremy McGovern 198
7. Liam Ryan 190
8. Dom Sheed 182
9. Shannon Hurn 177
10. Jack Redden 164

Dane Rampe Wins Bob Skilton Medal As Sydney Swans Best & Fairest In 2019

Bob Skilton Medal
How they vote: Club Champion votes were awarded by five coaches: John Longmire, Brett Kirk, Dean Cox, Tadhg Kennelly and Steve Johnson. A player can be awarded a maximum of 50 votes per game, and coaches can allocate up to 10 points for as many or as few players as they deem appropriate, per match.

Top 10 
1. Dane Rampe 582 votes
2. George Hewett 461
3. Luke Parker 458
4. Tom Papley 457
5. Callum Mills 429
6. Isaac Heeney 420
7. Jake Lloyd 408
8. Aliir Aliir 388
9. Jordan Dawson 383
10. Josh Kennedy 351

Seb Ross Wins Trevor Barker Award As Saints Best & Fairest In 2019

Trevor Barker AwardHow they vote: The coaches vote independently of each other after every match, giving between zero and four votes to every player.

Top 10
1. Seb Ross 170 votes 
2. Rowan Marshall 152
3. Jack Steele 151 
4. Jack Billings 140 
5. Tim Membrey 136 
6. Jade Gresham 131 
7. Callum Wilkie 115 
8. Luke Dunstan 111 
9. Josh Bruce 108 
10. Shane Savage 101 

Dion Prestia Wins Jack Dyer Medal As Richmond Best & Fairest For 2019

Jack Dyer Medal How they vote: The coaches award every player between zero and five votes after every game, including finals.

Top 10 
1. Dion Prestia 91 votes
2. Shane Edwards 79
3. Dylan Grimes 75
4. Nick Vlastuin 70
5. Tom Lynch 69
6. Dustin Martin 67
7. Kane Lambert 63
8. Bachar Houli 59
9. David Astbury 55
=10. Jason Castagna 47
=10. Daniel Rioli 47

Travis Boak Wins John Cahill Medal As Port Adelaide Best & Fairest For 2019

John Cahill MedalHow they vote: Each member of the senior coaching panel awards votes on a 0-5 basis for every player’s performance in each game. A player can therefore earn between zero and 25 votes per game.

Top 10 
1. Travis Boak 179 votes
2. Darcy Byrne-Jones 168
3. Dan Houston 167
4. Connor Rozee 131
5. Tom Clurey 130
5. Tom Jonas 130
7. Tom Rockliff 114
8. Ryan Burton 113
9. Xavier Duursma 111
10. Robbie Gray 110

Ben Cunnington Wins Syd Barker Medal As Kangaroos Best & Fairest For 2019

Syd Barker MedalHow they vote: Players can poll up to 20 votes in a game.

Top 10 1. Ben Cunnington 242 votes2. Robbie Tarrant 2273. Todd Goldstein 192*4. Trent Dumont 1925. Ben Brown 190*6. Jack Ziebell 1907. Jared Polec 1848. Shaun Higgins 1709. Jasper Pittard 16910.Shaun Atley 158

* Finishes higher on countback

Max Gawn & Clayton Oliver Win Truscott Trophy As Joint Melbourne Best & Fairest In 2019

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial TrophyHow they vote: The best and fairest votes are cast by four members of Melbourne's match committee, who gave players a score from 0-10 for each game.  

Top 10
=1. Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver 464 votes
3. Jack Viney 323
4. James Harmes 319
5. Christian Petracca 293
6. Bayley Fritsch 230
7. Christian Salem 213
8. Angus Brayshaw 210
9. Sam Frost 204
10. Jayden Hunt 199

James Worpel Wins Peter Crimmins Medal As Hawthorn Best & Fairest For 2019

Peter Crimmins MedalHow they vote: Hawthorn's match committee voted after each home and away season game, and players could receive a maximum of 16 votes in a match.

Top 10
1. James Worpel 115 votes
2. Ricky Henderson 104
3. Jaeger O'Meara 103
4. James Sicily 100
5. Blake Hardwick 90
6. Jarman Impey 85
7. Liam Shiels 78
8. Ben McEvoy 75
9. Luke Breust 73
10. Ben Stratton 63

Tim Taranto Wins Kevin Sheedy Medal As GWS Best & Fairest For 2019

Kevin Sheedy Medal How they vote: Leon Cameron and his assistants Brad Miller, Lenny Hayes and Mark McVeigh vote on the award. Up to four votes can be awarded to a player by each coach every round, meaning each player is able to receive a maximum of 16 votes per round.

Top 10 

1. Tim Taranto 222 votes2. Jeremy Cameron 2203. Jacob Hopper 2184. Nick Haynes 2065. Zac Williams 2036. Matt de Boer 1927. Lachie Whitfield 1838. Toby Greene 1809.Phil Davis 16710. Jeremy Finlayson 164

Jarrod Witts Wins Gold Coast Best & Fairest For 2019

Club Champion AwardHow they vote: Gold Coast's five-man match committee award a maximum of five votes each to an unlimited number of players each match, meaning the maximum votes a player can receive for any match is 25.

TOP 10
1. Jarrod Witts 553 votes
2. David Swallow 417
3. Darcy MacPherson 368
4. Jarrod Harbrow 367
5. Brayden Fiorini 315
6. Touk Miller 288
7. Anthony Miles 257
8 Pearce Hanley 251
9. Charlie Ballard 214
10. Jack Hombsch 212

Patrick Dangerfield Wins Cargi Greeves Medal As Geelong Best & Fairest For 2019

'Carji' Greeves Medal 
How they vote: After each game, the coaches rate each player's performance out of 15. The combined votes are then averaged to give a final score for that game. To ensure players aren't disadvantaged by injuries or being managed, each player's highest scoring 21 games of the season are added together to give a final score. Therefore, if a player plays 23 games, his two lowest-scoring games will be eliminated from the total.

Top 10

1. Patrick Dangerfield 268 votes
2. Tim Kelly 259.5
3. Tom Stewart 251
4. Tom Hawkins 250
5. Mark Blicavs 247
6. Luke Dahlhaus 245
7. Gary Ablett 241.5
8. Mitch Duncan 240.5
9. Joel Selwood 239
10. Gryan Miers 238

Nat Fyfe Wins Doig Medal As Fremantle Best & Fairest For 2019

Doig Medal
How they vote: Senior coach Ross Lyon and four other members of the Fremantle coaching staff were involved in the Doig Medal voting process, with each coach allocating up to five votes per player per round.

Top 10
1. Nat Fyfe 272 votes
2. Michael Walters 238
3. Bradley Hill 207
4. David Mundy 186
5. Ed Langdon 155
6. Luke Ryan 139
7. Joel Hamling 125
8. Rory Lobb 120
9. Andrew Brayshaw 109
10. Darcy Tucker 108

Zach Merrett Wins Crichton Medal As Essendon Best & Fairest For 2019

Crichton Medal

How they vote: Five coaches rate all players from zero to five in every game for the year, meaning each player can poll a maximum of 25 votes per match. 

Top 10
1. Zach Merrett 427 votes
2. Dylan Shiel 389
3. Adam Saad 376
4. Conor McKenna 361
5. Dyson Heppell 353
6. Andrew McGrath 343
7. Patrick Ambrose 324
8. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti 321
9. Darcy Parish 313
10. Michael Hurley 307

Brodie Grundy Wins Copeland Trophy As Collingwood Best & Fairest For 2019

E.W. Copeland TrophyHow they vote: The five members of the coaching panel each award up to 22 votes for each game (there is no minimum). The player then gets an average score for each game. 

Top 10 
1. Brodie Grundy 174 votes
2. Scott Pendlebury 158
3. Jack Crisp 147
4. Adam Treloar 141
5. Brayden Maynard 124
6. Steele Sidebottom 118
7. Tom Phillips 116
8. Jeremy Howe 115
9. Brody Mihocek 106
10. Jordan Roughead 105

Cripps Wins John Nicholls Medal As Carlton Best & Fairest For 2019

John Nicholls MedalHow they vote: Carlton's best and fairest is decided by the senior coach and three assistants giving as many players as they like between 0-4 votes per match. It means the most votes any player can receive for one single game is 16.

Top 10
1. Patrick Cripps 143 votes
2. Ed Curnow 138
3. Lachie Plowman 134
4. Sam Walsh 125
5. Levi Casboult 116
6. Jacob Weitering 110
7. Liam Jones 95
8. Marc Murphy 88
9. Kade Simpson 87
10. Sam Petrevski-Seton 68

Lachie Neale Wins Merrett-Murray Medal As Lions Best & Fairest For 2019

Merrett-Murray MedalHow they vote: Coach Chris Fagan and his five assistant coaches each give a maximum of four votes after each game based on the player's overall performance, delivery of team criteria and execution of team trademarks. The maximum votes for any game is 24.

Top 10
1. Lachie Neale 386 votes
2. Dayne Zorko 348
3. Hugh McCluggage 322
4. Jarryd Lyons 298
5. Daniel Rich 289
6. Charlie Cameron 280
7. Stefan Martin 275
8. Darcy Gardiner 271
9. Mitch Robinson 269
10. Harris Andrews 245

ADELAIDE 2019 BEST AND FAIREST TOP 10

Malcolm Blight MedalHow they vote: Each member of the Crows' five-man coaching panel award votes on a 0-4 basis for every player’s performance in each game. A player can receive between zero and 20 votes per game.

Top 10
1. Brad Crouch 208 votes
2. Rory Sloane 203
3. Rory Laird 191
4. Matt Crouch 180
5. Brodie Smith 179
6. Daniel Talia 165
7. Taylor Walker 148
8. Rory Atkins 129
9. Alex Keath 127
10. David Mackay 119 

2019 All-Australian Side

Good team (obviously) but gotta say Dustin Martin fucking unlucky not to be picked did have a slow start but finished on fire and Prestia also had a great year mighten put up the numbers of players like Neale or Macrae but was a star on the best team makes him a must if you ask me but the selectors like anyone have their favourites.

Trade Talk

2 days to go and as usual the big trades mentioned prior to the trade period beginning are going to come down to not only the last da but in some cases poosibly the last minute.
So far we have seen the following trades:
Goal sneak Eddie Betts to Carlton, Adelaide gets a Future Fourth Round Selection, so basically zero.
West Coast do a pick swap with the Lions they receive pick 46 and 91 and the Lions get picks 52 & 64 why who the hell knows.
Midfielder Ed Langdon and Pick 26 and a future fourth round selection to Melbourne and Fremantle get picks 22 & 79 and a future second rounded. These future late picks always intrigue me can't figure them out.
Pacy Full Back Sam Frost picks 42 & 61 and a future fourth round and Melbourne get picks 50 and a future second rounder wow seems to be a lot of messing about.
Another set of pick swaps GWS get picks 6 & 59 and St.Kilda get picks 12 & 18 now these pick swaps DO make sense to me a high first rounder (6) and the saints get to top 20 in return wins all round very astute.
Now the first and the most complicated move since a high ranking Soviet official wanted to defect to the West with West Coast receiving Tim Kelly and a future thrid rounder from Geelong and pick 52 from Essendon, Geelong getting 14 & 24 and a future first round selection from the Eagles and pick 37 from Essendon and Essendon gets pick 33 from the Eagles and pick 57 from the Cats talk about complicated.
Well that's it for now but the last 2 days will see plenty more and hopefully the Joe Daniher to the Swans doesn't get done but if it does if we could get Luke Parker or Isaac Heeney I could live with that (somehow...).

Back In Black! And Red

After an 18 month absence I'm back after my beloved Dons had another mediocre season and the Tigers confirmed themselves as the number 1 team of the last 3 years.
After non-stop ramblings about Daniher and Fantasia changing teams Orazio has decided to stay and I'm hoping Joey will follow suit as he like uncle's Terry and Neale are some of my favourite ever players to don the Red and Black.

ROUND 7 TIPS

GEELONG v GWS GIANTS
At Geelong's home ground they will bounce back after last weeks loss to the Swans with a 18 point win, the Giants are a great side but Cats coming off a loss are usually tough to beat.

W.BULLDOGS v GOLD COAST SUNS
With injuries to May and Lynch the bookies have decided that the Suns are absolutely no chance giving them a winning price of $5.00 and a line of +34.5 at BET365, this is a Bulldogs home game at MARS Stadium in Ballarat, but I say what a gift for punters easily at the line and I'm backing the Suns to win in a low scoring encounter. SUns by 10

ESSENDON v HAWTHORN
This game is at the MCG and based on Essendon's woeful and unpredictable form the Hawks should romp this but guess what Dons by 22, and no I havent suffred a head injury lately.

WCE v Port Adealide
Match at the new Optus Stadium the Eagles are on a 5 game winning streak and my tipping rules involve for every win you are closer to a loss, the Power and Eagles have a history and for me the Power with Ryder back can upset the Eagles here, Power by 8

SYDNEY v NORTH MELBOURNE
This is at the SCG, this is a danger game for the Swans if there not on, but John Longmire will have them up and about although I think the Roos can get within 30, Swans by 27

ADELAIDE v CARLTON
Being 0-6 for their first time in history will give them a rev up but the Crows at home is a bridge to far, the line is -56.5 or something nd the Blues may well get under it Crows by 50

RICHMOND v FREMANTLE
Tigers are on fire won 12 in a row at the MCG, they currently sit top of the ladder and seem to be almost better than last year cetainly better than the same time last year, but if you snooze you loose in this biz so provided they are on Tigers but only just, Tigers by 18

STKILDA v MELBOURNE
If the Saints can match their intensity they had against the Giants 2 weeks ago at Etihad where this game is being played and actually kick some goals then they will win, I have no faith in either side at the moment but I think the Saints can upset Melbourne who seem a little bit to pleased after last weeks win, Saints by 23

BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD
At the GABBA Magpies may have lost by 43 last week but a lot of those goals where in the last couple of minutes when the Pies ran out of legs big time, they have a shit load of injuries piling up the Pies but will win here although the Lions will think they can pinch this and would not surprise me if they did. Pies by 24

Each Team Brownlow Votes

ADELAIDE
Rory Sloane 24*
Rory Laird 11
Eddie Betts 10
Josh Jenkins 8
Matt Crouch 7
Taylor Walker 6
Tom Lynch 5
Scott thompson 5
Brad Crouch 4
Brodie Smith 2
Sam Jacobs 2
Daniel Talia 2
Rory Atkins 1
TOTAL 87

BRISBANE
Tom Rockliff 9
Dayne Zorko 5
Pearce Hanley 3
Mitch Robinson 3
TOTAL 20

CARLTON
Patrick Cripps 18
Bryce Gibbs 13
Kade Simpson 3
Ed Curnow 3
Dale Thomas 2
Andrejs Everitt 2
Sam Kerridge 2
Sam Docherty 1
Marc Murphy 1
TOTAL 45

COLLINGWOOD
Adam Treloar 21
Scott Pendelbury 17
Steele Sidebottom 7
Brodie Grundy 7
Taylor Adams 5
Alex Fasolo 3
ben Reid 2
travis Cloke 1
Jeremy Howe 1
Mason Cox 1
James Aish 1
TOTAL 66

ESSENDON
Zac Merrett 19
David Zaharakis 7
Joe Daniher 4
Adam Cooney 4
Athony McDonald-Tipungwuti 1
Orazia Fantasia 1
TOTAL 36

FREMANTLE
Lachie Neale 20
Nat Fyfe 4
Michael Walters 3
Connor Blakey 3
Michael Barlow 3
Lachie Weller 2
Matthew Pavlich 2
Garrick Ibbotson 2
David Mundy 2
Stephen Hill 2
Chris Mayne 1
Tom Sheridan 1
TOTAL 45

GEELONG
Patrick Dangerfield 35
Joel Selwood 18
Corey Enright 8
Steve Motlop 6
Cameron Guthrie 3
Tom Hawkins 2
Jimmy Bartel 2
Sam Menegola 2
Mitch Duncan 2
Rhys Stanley 2
Harry Taylor 2
Lachie Henderson 1
Mark Blicavs 1
TOTAL 84

GOLD COAST
Tom Lynch 11
Aaron Hall 11
Gary Ablett 6
Steven May 5
Peter Wright 3
Michael Rischitelli 3
Touk Miller 2
Jarrod Harbrow 2
Nick Malceski 2
Brayden Fiorini 1
Sam Day 1
TOTAL 45

GWS GIANTS
Stephen Coniglio 17
Callan Ward 12
Tom Scully 7
Dylan SHiel 7
Ryan Griffen 6 
Toby Greene 6
Josh Kelly 6
Jon Patton 5
Steven Johnson 5
Rory Lobb 5
Jeremy Cameron 4
Shane Mumford 4
Lachie Whitfield 3
Zac Williams 2
Heath Shaw 2
Phil Davis 1
TOTAL 92

HAWTHORN
Sam Mitchell 16
Jordan Lewis 11
Josh Gibson 10
Cyril Rioli 8
Shaun Burgoyne 8
Isaac Smith 4
Jack Gunston 4
Paul Puopolo 3
Luke Hodge 3
James Sicily 3
Grant Birchall 2
Luke Bruest 1
TOTAL 73

MELBOURNE
Max Gawn 16
Jay Viney 14
Nathan Jones 11
Dom Tyson 6
Jesse Hogan 6
Bernie Vince 6
Jack Watts 5
Clayton Oliver 3
James Harmes 2
Dean Kent 1
Billy Stretch 1
Tom McDonald 1
Jayden Hunt 1
TOTAL 73

NORTH MELBOURNE
Daniel Wells 12
Todd Goldstein 11
Jarrod Waite 8
Jack Ziebell 7
Sam Gibson 6
Brent Harvey 4
Nick Dal Santo 3
Andrew Swallow 3
Drew Petrie 3
Ben Cunnington 2
Lindsay Thomas 1
Scott Thompson 1
Shaun Higgins 1
Robbie Tarrant 1
TOTAL 63

PORT ADELAIDE
Robbie Gray 19
Ollie Wines 11
Travis Boak 7
Aaron Young 5
Jakson trengove 3
Chad Wingard 3
Matthew Broadbent 3
Jarmon Impey 3
Jasper Pittard 3
Jared Polec 2
Charlie Dixon 2
Brad Ebert 2
Justin Westhoff 1
TOTAL 64

RICHMOND
Dustin Martin 25
Trent Cotchin 9
Alex Rance 7
Brendon Griffiths 4
Kane Lambert 3
Brett Deledio 3
Brandon Ellis 3
Jack Riewoldt 2
Shaun Grigg 1
Anthony Miles 1
TOTAL 58

ST. KILDA
Nick Riewoldt 19
Jack Steven 16
Seb Ross 10
Tim Membrey 9
Leigh Montagna 7
David Armitage 6
Sean Dempster 2
Mav Weller 2
Blake Acres 1
Tom Hickey 1
Jade Gresham 1
Jack Billings 1
Josh Bruce 1
TOTAL 76

SYDNEY SWANS
Luke Parker 26
Dan Hannebery 21
Lance Franklin 17
Josh Kennedy 14
Tom Mitchell 12
Isaac Heeney 5
Kieran Jack 3
ted Richards 3
Dane Rampe 2
Ben McGlynn 1
Jared McVeigh 1
TOTAL 105

WEST COAST EAGLES
Andrew Gaff 21
Matt Priddis 17
Josh Kennedy 17
Luke Shuey 10
Mark Lecras 5
Elliot Yeo 3
Jeremy McGovern 2
Mark Hutchings 2
Tom Barrass 1
Jamie Cripps 1
Jack darling 1
Pat McGinnity 1
Nic Naitanui 1
Brad Sheppard 1
TOTAL 83

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Marcus Bontempelli 20
Lachie Hunter 13
Jason Johannisen 10
Luke Dahlhaus 7
Koby Stevens 6
Mitch Wallis 5
Jake Stringer 4
Liam Picken 4
Shane Biggs 3
Easton Wood 3
matthew Boyd 2
Marcus Adams 2
Tom Liberatore 1
Jack Macrae 1
TOTAL 81

Bont Wins Western Bulldogs B&F

Charles Sutton Medal Top 10

1. Marcus Bontempelli (319 votes)
2. Dale Morris (248)
3. Lachie Hunter (246)
4. Tom Liberatore (218)
5. Liam Picken (214)
6. Luke Dahlhaus (201)
7. Jackson Macrae, Caleb Daniel (185)
9. Matthew Boyd (184)
10. Jason Johannisen (165)

Award Winners

Charles Sutton Medal (first place): Marcus Bontempelli
Doug Hawkins Medal (second place): Dale Morris
Gary Dempsey Medal (third place): Lachie Hunter
Best in Finals: Liam Picken
Chris Grant Best First Year Player: Josh Dunkley
Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player: Jordan Roughead
Brad Johnson Best Team Player: Matthew Boyd
John Van Groningen Domestique Award: Dale Morris
Scott West Most Courageous Award: Tom Liberatore
John Schultz Community Award: Marcus Bontempelli
Victoria University Education Award: Mitch Wallis
Footscray Best and Fairest: Jordan Russell
Footscray Best and Fairest runner up: Mitch Honeychurch
Footscray Best and Fairest third place: Lukas Webb
Bulldogs Taskforce VFL Coaches Award: Anthony Barry
Susan Alberti Award: Jaimee Lambert

Josh Kennedy Crowned Swans B&F

The top 10 finishing order for the 2016 Club Champion award is as follows:
Josh Kennedy 922
Dan Hannebery 913
Heath Grundy 865
Luke Parker 834
Dane Rampe 833
Lance Franklin 827
Jake Lloyd 684
Tom Mitchell 672
Nick Smith 622
Kieren Jack 601

Note: Club Champion votes were awarded by the five coaches - John Longmire, Stuart Dew, Henry Playfair, Josh Francou and Brett Kirk. A player can be awarded a maximum of 50 votes per game, and coaches can allocate up to 10 points for as many or as few players as they deem appropriate, per match. 

Other awards presented on the night:
Paul Roos Award for Best Player in the Finals – Josh Kennedy and Heath Grundy equal first
The Barry Round Best Clubman Award – Alex Johnson
The Dennis Carroll Trophy for the Most Improved – Aliir Aliir
The Rising Star Award – Callum Mills
The Paul Kelly Players' Player Award – Lance Franklin
Life Membership – Dan Hannebery, Nick Smith, Josh Kennedy, Lynn Ralph, Peter Ivany, Vanessa Muellner
2017 number 1 ticket holder – Pat McLinden

Finally A Close Grand Final....Hopefully

The closeness of this resut will come down to the ability of the Bulldogs to be able to get off to a good start. in the last 2 finals the Swans have kicked 7 goals in the first quarter to effectively win the game so the Bullies must restrict them to 4 goals or less in the first quarter.
The keys for Swans victory are

1. For Swans to win Lance Franklin needs 3+ goals 
2. The supporting cast in the forward line Tippett, McGlynn, papley, Rohan and Xavier Richards to get 8 or more between them 
3. The Mids to control the clearances 
4. Defensive forward to tag Johannisen

5 Key Players

1. Lance Franklin - the money man goal machine
2. Dane Rampe - Intercept specialst 
3. Luke Parker - Gun mid and also terrific overhead mark and goalkicker
4. Kurt Tippett - At his best a top 5 league ruckman and up forward capable of multiple goals
5. Josh Kennedy - the engine that drives the train, clearance and contested disposal king.

The keys for Bulldogs victory are

1. Roughead and Tom Boyd to break even in Ruck and be competitive in forward line.
2. Mids must hit the scoreboard.
3. Quick ball movement forward of centre so Swans can't double team.
4. Lock down Lance Franklin.

5 Key Players

1. Jake Stringer - The package needs a huge game
2. Jason johannisen - Pace and skill off half back 
3. Dale Morris - Needs to nullify Franklin
4. Easton Wood - Takes intercept marks in defence
5. Tom Liberatore - If he can bring the clearance/contested/tackling to his optimum 

The final 22 for each teamhas been revealed with the usual heart warming/breaking stories. Looking at the Bullies Clay Smith had 3 knee reco's in 3 years he was the catalyst for last week's he kicked 4 first half goals in the preliminary final to be best on ground, then there is Shane Biggs for Sydney Swans player who managed just 6 games in 2 season's is now an integral part of the Bullies premiership push. Then Caleb Daniel, with the talk of the modern day midfielder being 6 foot 4+ and with key position players now all pushing 200+ having a player of just 168cm and 68kg being such a key player and runner up in the Rising star. Now the heart breakers, Robert Murphy the Captain, the life blood of the team 295 game veteran ruptured his ACL in round 3 and will have to watch from the coaches box, what a bummer hang in there Murph. Matt Suckling is another moved over from Hawthorn after last year and looked like a brilliant decision has ended up a kick in the face with him being named an emergency, bet that wasn't in the contract!
On the other side of the coin the Swans have 3 first year players and another 2 with under 15 games experience with Sam Naismith a story not dissalimar to Kieran Jack playing both Rugby codes up to the age of 16 until being invited to the Swans academy by Paul Roos played in round 16 and has been in the side since. Aliir Aliir would have been one of the fairy tale stories but not for an injury in the last final.

Luke Beveridge Wins Coach of The Year Again

Named after coaching icon Allan Jeans, the coach of the year award is voted on by more than 180 coaches at different levels of the AFL system.

The AFLCA this year conducted its voting after the preliminary finals, rather than the end of the home-and-away season, after Alastair Clarkson was overlooked for the award through Hawthorn's premierships of 2013-15.

The 187 AFLCA members vote 3-2-1 on the coach of the year, with Beveridge polling 341 votes to win from Longmire (202) and Cameron (118).

The voting criteria includes team performance, available resources and player talent, with Beveridge defying significant injuries this season to lead his club into the Grand Final.

The Bulldogs have also travelled twice in the finals – beating West Coast and GWS on the road and Hawthorn at the MCG – to create history on their way to this Saturday's decider. 

If I was to vote my 3-2-1 would have been:

3: Leon Cameron (GWS)

2: Luke Beveridge (WB)

1: Don Pyke (ADE)

AFLCA Coach of the Year past winners
2003 - Paul Roos (Sydney Swans)
2004 - Mark Williams (Port Adelaide)
2005 - Neil Craig (Adelaide)
2006 - John Worsfold (West Coast)
2007 - Mark Thompson (Geelong)
2008 - Mark Thompson (Geelong)
2009 - Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
2010 - Michael Malthouse (Collingwood)
2011 - John Worsfold (West Coast)
2012 - John Longmire (Sydney Swans)
2013 - Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
2014 - John Longmire (Sydney Swans)
2015 – Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)

Sloane Wins Adelaide B & F

Malcolm Blight Medal top 10
1. Rory Sloane – 268
2. Eddie Betts – 249
3. Tom Lynch – 215
4. Daniel Talia – 192
5. Taylor Walker – 185
6. Brodie Smith – 183
7. Matt Crouch – 180
8. Kyle Hartigan – 173
9. Charlie Cameron – 168
10. Josh Jenkins – 167

Heeney Wins AFLCA Best Young Player Award

Heeney, who was named the AFL Players' Association best first year player last season, was a clear standout, polling 569 votes ahead of the next best, Melbourne's Jesse Hogan with 337. delaide defender Jake Lever (315), Western Bulldogs midfielder Caleb Daniel (285) and Collingwood forward Darcy Moore (253) rounded out the top-five.

Heeney joins some of the game's modern greats by winning the award. Brownlow medallists Chris Judd (2003), Adam Cooney (2005) and Nat Fyfe (2011) are previous winners. 

Previous AFLCA Best Young Player winners

2015 - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
2014 - Jaeger O'Meara (Gold Coast)
2013 - Jeremy Cameron (GWS)
2012 - Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
2011 - Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
2010 - Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
2009 - Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
2008 - Joel Selwood (Geelong)
2007 - Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
2006 - Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
2005 - Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)
2004 - Daniel Wells (Kangaroos)
2003 - Chris Judd (West Coast)

Gary Ayres Award Votes After Second Week of Finals

AFLCA Gary Ayres Award votes

FINALS WEEK TWO 

HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS

8 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
8 Jack Macrae (WB)
8 Liam Picken (WB)
4 Shaun Burgoyne (Haw)
1 Josh Dunkley (WB)
1 Tom Liberatore (WB)

SYDNEY SWANS v ADELAIDE

10 Josh Kennedy (Syd)
7 Isaac Heeney (Syd)
6 Nick Smith (Syd)
3 Dan Hannebery (Syd)
2 Lance Franklin (Syd)
2 Tom Papley (Syd)

FINALS WEEK ONE

WEST COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS

10 Caleb Daniel (WB)
6 Luke Dahlhaus (WB)
4 Liam Picken (WB)
3 Joel Hamling (WB)
3 Jason Johannisen (WB)
2 Lachie Hunter (WB)
2 Tom Liberatore (WB) 

GEELONG v HAWTHORN

8 Joel Selwood (Geel)
6 Jordan Lewis (Haw)
5 Mark Blicavs (Geel)
5 Cam Guthrie (Geel)
3 Shaun Burgoyne (Haw)
2 Luke Breust (Haw)
1 Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)

SYDNEY SWANS v GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

10 Jeremy Cameron (GWS)
7 Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
7 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
2 Dan Hannebery (Syd)
2 Devon Smith (GWS)
1 Heath Grundy (Syd)
1 Josh Kennedy (Syd)

ADELAIDE v NORTH MELBOURNE

10 Eddie Betts (Adel)
8 Brodie Smith (Adel)
5 Tom Lynch (Adel)
5 Taylor Walker (Adel)
1 Matt Crouch (Adel)
1 Daniel Talia (Adel)

GARY AYRES AWARD LEADERBOARD

12 Liam Picken (WB)
11 Josh Kennedy (SYD)
10 Eddie Betts (ADEL)
10 Jeremy Cameron (GWS)
10 Caleb Daniel (WB)
8 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
8 Jack Macrae (WB)
8 Joel Selwood (GEEL)
8 Brodie Smith (ADEL)
7 Shaun Burgoyne (HAW)
7 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
7 Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
7 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)

Teams For The AFL Semi-Finals

SEMI-FINAL TEAMS

HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday September 16, 7:50pm, MCG

HAWKS

B: T.Duryea, J.Frawley, S.Burgoyne

HB: L.Hodge, J.Gibson, G.Birchall

C: I.Smith, S.Mitchell, B.Hill

HF: L.Breust, J.Gunston, C.Rioli

F: P.Puopolo, J.Fitzpatrick, R.Schoenmakers

R: B.McEvoy, J.Lewis, L.Shiels

I/C: B.Stratton, B.Whitecross, J.Sicily, B.Hartung

EMG: W.Langford, D.Howe, M.Spangher

IN: B.Hartung, J.Sicily

OUT: R.Burton (calf), D.Howe

BULLDOGS

B: J.Johannisen, J.Hamling, M.Boyd

HB: M.Suckling, D.Morris, E.Wood

C: L.Hunter, M.Bontempelli, L.Picken

HF: J.Macrae, Z.Cordy, J.Stringer

F: T.Dickson, T.Boyd, C.Daniel

R: J.Roughead, L.Dahlhaus, T.Liberatore

I/C: C.Smith, T.McLean, J.Dunkley, S.Biggs

EMG: T.Campbell, L.Webb, R.Smith

IN: T.McLean

OUT: L.Jong (shoulder)

SYDNEY SWANS v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday September 17, 7:25pm, SCG

SWANS

B: N.Smith, H.Grundy, D.Rampe

HB: H.Marsh, A.Aliir, J.McVeigh

C: I.Heeney, J.Kennedy, J.Lloyd

HF: G.Hewett, L.Franklin, L.Parker

F: T.Mitchell, G.Rohan, X.Richards

R: S.Naismith, D.Hannebery, K.Jack, T.Papley

I/C: J.Laidler, B.McGlynn, T.Nankervis, T.Papley

EMG: H.Cunningham, J.Rose, T.Richards

IN: J.Laidler, T.Nankervis

OUT: K.Tippett (jaw), C.Mills (hamstring)

CROWS

B: L.Brown, D.Talia, R.Laird

HB: B.Smith, K.Hartigan, K.Cheney

C: R.Atkins, R.Sloane, D.Mackay

HF: E.Betts, T.Walker, C.Cameron

F: J.Lyons, J.Jenkins, T.Lynch

R: S.Jacobs, M.Crouch, R.Douglas

I/C: B.Crouch, S.Thompson, J.Lever, M.McGovern

EMG: R.Knight, P.Seedsman, A.Otten

No change

Patrick Dangerfield Overwhelming Winner Of AFL Players Association MVP Award

AFLPA MVP AWARD WINNERS AND VOTING

Most Valuable Player – Leigh Matthews Trophy
1. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) – 1369 
2. Rory Sloane (Adelaide) – 443 
3. Dustin Martin (Richmond) – 297 
=4. Max Gawn (Melbourne) – 238 
=4. Eddie Betts (Adelaide) – 238 
6. Luke Parker (Sydney Swans) – 218 
7. Alex Rance (Richmond) – 188 
8. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) – 179 
9. Tom Lynch (Gold Coast) – 170 
10. Josh Kennedy (West Coast) – 164  

Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award: Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)

Best First Year Player Award: Callum Mills (Sydney Swans)

Best Captain: Taylor Walker (Adelaide)