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A top ten of sorts of the season thus far, with a few Bulldog references....
2009 chart busters
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens and Jon Ralph | June 19, 2009
With the 2009 season half over, Mark Stevens and Jon Ralph put a rule over the first 11 rounds.
10 BEST PLAYERS
1. Steve Johnson (Geelong)
2. Gary Ablett (Geelong)
3. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
4. Lenny Hayes (St Kilda)
5. Chris Judd (Carlton)
6. Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
7. Joel Selwood (Geelong)
8. Leon Davis (Collingwood)
9. Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)
10. Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood)
We can hear the howls of protest: “No Ablett at No.1?!''.
But his good mate Stevie Johnson has been sensational.
Surely those who keep the scoreboard ticking over are the most important the game and Johnson's stats in that area are amazing.
He has had a hand in 123 Geelong scores in 11 games - that is more than 10 a week.
Johnson has had a part in 21 more scores than the next best - Nick Riewoldt and Brendan Fevola - and they have played one more game.
We're giving Johnson extra points for being the most watchable player in the comp, too.
Simon Prestigiacomo has to go in as well. Unlike the umps who vote on the Brownlow, we rate defenders too.
Presti has conceded 12 goals in 11 games. Riewoldt kicked four on him, Scott Stevens got three. In nine other games, he has conceded four.
10 GUNS YOU DON'T HEAR ENOUGH ABOUT
1. Matthew Boyd (Bulldogs)
2. Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney)
3. Daniel Jackson (Richmond)
3. Liam Picken (Bulldogs)
4. Aaron Joseph (Carlton)
5. Michael Doughty (Adelaide)
6. Max Rooke (Geelong)
7. Steven Baker (St Kilda)
8. Mark Le Cras (West Coast)
9. Jobe Watson (Essendon)
10. Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne)
Matty Boyd is top 10 in the Coaches' Award yet could walk down Barkly St unrecognised. A consistent midfielder performer and blossoming leader who is in All-Australian contention. Enough said.
Jackson does a lot more talking, but deserves more credit as a tagger who does more than stop.
Sydney coach Paul Roos once famously thought Jarrad McVeigh couldn't kick a goal. Now he's a gun.
Imagine if Mark LeCras played at Collingwood. Think we'd be hearing a lot more about him.
10 NEWSMAKERS
Ben Cousins - Who else?
Nathan Buckley - This year's Michael Voss
Grant Thomas - A walking, talking headline
Kevin Sheedy - Did he really say the Tigers could win the flag?
Terry Wallace - Was news from the moment Sheedy said it.
Jason Akermanis - Ask Justin Leppitsch
Jeff Kennett - Where would the Hawthorn website be without him?
Dean Laidley - Junkyard dog off the leash
Jack Watts - Most hyped first-gamer in history
Brendan Fevola - What's new?
10 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
1. Setanta O'hAilpin turns on teammate Cameron Cloke in a practice game.
2. Ben Cousins' hamstring goes in Round 1
3. Cousins looks on as Carlton smashes Tigers. Coach Terry Wallace suffers mortal wound.
4. Jeff Kennett gives it to the umps at a pre-game luncheon.
5. Triple 50m penalties: Barry Hall brain explosion v Hawthorn Round 11
6. Bulldog Brad Johnson misses after the siren (for second year running). This time against Geelong in Round 9.
7. Tiger Mitch Morton plays on and wobbles kick out on full v Port Adelaide in Round 8. Wallace gives him a spray.
8. Brendan Fevola misses the unmissable after the siren against Hawthorn in Round 6.
9. Sam Newman v Terry Wallace on The Footy Show.
10. Brent Harvey dislocates elbow, sparking “chicken wing'' debate.
10 UNDERACHIEVERS
1. Daniel Kerr (West Coast)
2. David Hale (Kangaroos)
3. Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
4. Travis Johnstone (Brisbane)
5. Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
6. Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
7. Mark Williams (Hawthorn)
8. Brett Deledio (Richmond)
9. Mark Blake (Geelong)
10. Josh Carr (Port Adelaide)
We expect the world from the stars, but we also reward them with big fat contracts and massive profiles.
That's why when a player like West Coast's Daniel Kerr plays like a spoilt, undisciplined brat, we are entitled to expect more.
Kangaroo David Hale was supposed to be the Roos' go-to forward, but was actually dropped last week, while Cloke, Franklin, and Deledio have not matched their breakout seasons of 2008.
West Coast pair Andrew Embley and Ash Hansen can consider themselves lucky to miss the top 10.
10 RISING STARS UNDER THE RADAR
1. Tayte Pears (Essendon)
2. Andy Otten (Adelaide)
3. Callan Ward (Bulldogs)
4. Jack Grimes (Melbourne)
5. Mitch Brown (West Coast)
6. Garry Moss (Hawthorn)
7. Jeff Garlett (Carlton)
8. James Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
9. Brendan Whitecross (Hawthorn)
10. Liam Anthony (Kangaroos)
We have destroyed forests writing about the ability of jumping jack Nick Naitanui and man-child Daniel Rich, but Bombers defender Tayte Pears has scarcely rated a mention this year.
The second-year Bomber has taken on all comers at full-back and stood up admirably, yet still doesn't have a Rising Star nomination.
Otten is the pick of the Adelaide kids, while Anthony is the speculative pick.
Richmond fans will forever be haunted knowing they swapped pick 19 for Jordan McMahon then saw the Dogs pick up emerging star Callan Ward with that selection.
Anthony is a speculative pick given he hasn't played a game but he starred in the pre-season and is finally over his foot injury. Watch this space.
10 BEST COACHES
1. Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
2. Michael Voss (Brisbane)
3. Mark Thompson (Geelong)
4. Rodney Eade (Bulldogs)
5. Matthew Knights (Essendon)
6. Neil Craig (Adelaide)
7. Brett Ratten (Carlton)
8. Mick Malthouse (Collingwood)
9. Paul Roos (Sydney)
10. Mark Harvey (Fremantle)
It's not about the quality of your side, it's what you do with those players.
Ross Lyon deserves major plaudits for the Saints unbeaten run, but what first-year coach Voss has achieved with a patched-up outfit is remarkable.
Thompson continues to enhance his reputation, Eade hasn't put a foot wrong, and Knights grows by the week.
Tenth pick Mark Harvey's determination to play the kids has been admirable despite his club's ladder position.
10 BIG IMPROVERS
1. Patrick Ryder (Essendon)
2. Mitch Clark (Brisbane)
3. Clinton Jones (St Kilda)
4. Shaun Higgins (Bulldogs)
5. Andrew Lovett (Essendon)
6. Chris Tarrant (Fremantle)
7. Chris Knights (Adelaide)
8. Michael Jamison (Carlton)
9. Rhyce Shaw (Sydney)
10. Zac Dawson (St Kilda)
Fremantle's Chris Tarrant has propped up most-overrated lists for close to a decade, but finally a switch to defence has reinvigorated his career.
As expected, the rampant run of St Kilda has seen the likes of Clint Jones, Sam Gilbert, Justin Koschitzke and Andrew McQualter fire.
But the real litmus test is those that have not needed a dominant side to fire.
Ryder and Clark have been breathtaking in the ruck, Lovett is now a matchwinner, and Jamison is the most unheralded defender going around.
Paul Bower, Sam Gilbert, Koschitzke, and McQualter are all stiff.
10 BEST GAMES
1. Geelong v Bulldogs Round 9
Johnno's last-gasp miss caps a ripper as the Cats survive ... just
2. St Kilda v Carlton Round 12
As pure an exhibition of tackling pressure as we have seen
3. Essendon v Collingwood Round 5
Pies lead by 14 points deep in time on before Zaharakis snatches it
4. Hawthorn v Carlton Round 6
The Blues trail by 25 points in time on. Then they rally as Fevola (eight goals) hits the post at the death.
5. Fremantle v Richmond Round 10
Terry Wallace's 500th game as a player/coach. Mitch Morton's play-on matchwinning goal. Amazing.
6. Hawthorn v Geelong Round 1
The Cats dominate before the Hawks surge back in the GF rematch.
7. Brisbane v Carlton Round 11
Judd seals a thriller after another eight goals from Fev. Blues get the wobbles in the last term but hold on.
8. Richmond v Port Adelaide
If the game was ordinary early, Tredrea's seven, Mitch Morton's miss and Port's comeback make it a classic.
9. Essendon v Adelaide
Kurt Tippett kicks seven, Adelaide can't miss (21.4), and it ends up a 39-goal shootout.
10. Kangaroos v Port Adelaide Round 7
The Roos hold off a fast-finishing Port in a 38-goal Saturday night thriller
10 SUPERCOACH STARS
Best scores of 2009
197 GARY ABLETT (Geel) v Adel R4
46 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 3 goals, 4 score assists
190 DARREN JOLLY (Syd) v Haw R2
19 disposals, 11 hitouts to adv, 3 goals
184 WARREN TREDREA (Port) v Rich R8
20 disposals, 11 marks, 7 goals
184 JIMMY BARTEL (Geel) v North R8
34 disposals, 12 contested possessions, three goals
183 ADAM GOODES (Syd) v Haw R2
24 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 4 goals
179 LENNY HAYES (StK) v Port R5
32 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 7 tackles
176 LEON DAVIS (Coll) v Ess R5
32 disposals, 7 tackles, 2 goals
176 LEON DAVIS (Coll) v WC R9
32 disposals, 10 marks, 3 goals
175 GARY ABLETT (Geel) v WC R11
43 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 2 goals
175 SAM FISHER (StK) v Port R5
28 disposals, 8 marks, 0 goals conceded
Biggest price rises
1. Zac Dawson (up $286,400)
2. Andy Otten (up $269,500)
3. Brendan Whitecross (up $260,400)
4. Daniel Rich (up $240,700)
5. Andrew Swallow (up $231,300)
Biggest price drops
1. Luke Hodge (down $181,600)
2. Brett Jones (down $169,500)
3. James McDonald (down $156,500)
4. Michael Rischitelli (down $155,800)
5. Matthew Lloyd (down $146,500)
2009 chart busters
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens and Jon Ralph | June 19, 2009
With the 2009 season half over, Mark Stevens and Jon Ralph put a rule over the first 11 rounds.
10 BEST PLAYERS
1. Steve Johnson (Geelong)
2. Gary Ablett (Geelong)
3. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
4. Lenny Hayes (St Kilda)
5. Chris Judd (Carlton)
6. Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
7. Joel Selwood (Geelong)
8. Leon Davis (Collingwood)
9. Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)
10. Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood)
We can hear the howls of protest: “No Ablett at No.1?!''.
But his good mate Stevie Johnson has been sensational.
Surely those who keep the scoreboard ticking over are the most important the game and Johnson's stats in that area are amazing.
He has had a hand in 123 Geelong scores in 11 games - that is more than 10 a week.
Johnson has had a part in 21 more scores than the next best - Nick Riewoldt and Brendan Fevola - and they have played one more game.
We're giving Johnson extra points for being the most watchable player in the comp, too.
Simon Prestigiacomo has to go in as well. Unlike the umps who vote on the Brownlow, we rate defenders too.
Presti has conceded 12 goals in 11 games. Riewoldt kicked four on him, Scott Stevens got three. In nine other games, he has conceded four.
10 GUNS YOU DON'T HEAR ENOUGH ABOUT
1. Matthew Boyd (Bulldogs)
2. Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney)
3. Daniel Jackson (Richmond)
3. Liam Picken (Bulldogs)
4. Aaron Joseph (Carlton)
5. Michael Doughty (Adelaide)
6. Max Rooke (Geelong)
7. Steven Baker (St Kilda)
8. Mark Le Cras (West Coast)
9. Jobe Watson (Essendon)
10. Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne)
Matty Boyd is top 10 in the Coaches' Award yet could walk down Barkly St unrecognised. A consistent midfielder performer and blossoming leader who is in All-Australian contention. Enough said.
Jackson does a lot more talking, but deserves more credit as a tagger who does more than stop.
Sydney coach Paul Roos once famously thought Jarrad McVeigh couldn't kick a goal. Now he's a gun.
Imagine if Mark LeCras played at Collingwood. Think we'd be hearing a lot more about him.
10 NEWSMAKERS
Ben Cousins - Who else?
Nathan Buckley - This year's Michael Voss
Grant Thomas - A walking, talking headline
Kevin Sheedy - Did he really say the Tigers could win the flag?
Terry Wallace - Was news from the moment Sheedy said it.
Jason Akermanis - Ask Justin Leppitsch
Jeff Kennett - Where would the Hawthorn website be without him?
Dean Laidley - Junkyard dog off the leash
Jack Watts - Most hyped first-gamer in history
Brendan Fevola - What's new?
10 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
1. Setanta O'hAilpin turns on teammate Cameron Cloke in a practice game.
2. Ben Cousins' hamstring goes in Round 1
3. Cousins looks on as Carlton smashes Tigers. Coach Terry Wallace suffers mortal wound.
4. Jeff Kennett gives it to the umps at a pre-game luncheon.
5. Triple 50m penalties: Barry Hall brain explosion v Hawthorn Round 11
6. Bulldog Brad Johnson misses after the siren (for second year running). This time against Geelong in Round 9.
7. Tiger Mitch Morton plays on and wobbles kick out on full v Port Adelaide in Round 8. Wallace gives him a spray.
8. Brendan Fevola misses the unmissable after the siren against Hawthorn in Round 6.
9. Sam Newman v Terry Wallace on The Footy Show.
10. Brent Harvey dislocates elbow, sparking “chicken wing'' debate.
10 UNDERACHIEVERS
1. Daniel Kerr (West Coast)
2. David Hale (Kangaroos)
3. Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
4. Travis Johnstone (Brisbane)
5. Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
6. Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
7. Mark Williams (Hawthorn)
8. Brett Deledio (Richmond)
9. Mark Blake (Geelong)
10. Josh Carr (Port Adelaide)
We expect the world from the stars, but we also reward them with big fat contracts and massive profiles.
That's why when a player like West Coast's Daniel Kerr plays like a spoilt, undisciplined brat, we are entitled to expect more.
Kangaroo David Hale was supposed to be the Roos' go-to forward, but was actually dropped last week, while Cloke, Franklin, and Deledio have not matched their breakout seasons of 2008.
West Coast pair Andrew Embley and Ash Hansen can consider themselves lucky to miss the top 10.
10 RISING STARS UNDER THE RADAR
1. Tayte Pears (Essendon)
2. Andy Otten (Adelaide)
3. Callan Ward (Bulldogs)
4. Jack Grimes (Melbourne)
5. Mitch Brown (West Coast)
6. Garry Moss (Hawthorn)
7. Jeff Garlett (Carlton)
8. James Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
9. Brendan Whitecross (Hawthorn)
10. Liam Anthony (Kangaroos)
We have destroyed forests writing about the ability of jumping jack Nick Naitanui and man-child Daniel Rich, but Bombers defender Tayte Pears has scarcely rated a mention this year.
The second-year Bomber has taken on all comers at full-back and stood up admirably, yet still doesn't have a Rising Star nomination.
Otten is the pick of the Adelaide kids, while Anthony is the speculative pick.
Richmond fans will forever be haunted knowing they swapped pick 19 for Jordan McMahon then saw the Dogs pick up emerging star Callan Ward with that selection.
Anthony is a speculative pick given he hasn't played a game but he starred in the pre-season and is finally over his foot injury. Watch this space.
10 BEST COACHES
1. Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
2. Michael Voss (Brisbane)
3. Mark Thompson (Geelong)
4. Rodney Eade (Bulldogs)
5. Matthew Knights (Essendon)
6. Neil Craig (Adelaide)
7. Brett Ratten (Carlton)
8. Mick Malthouse (Collingwood)
9. Paul Roos (Sydney)
10. Mark Harvey (Fremantle)
It's not about the quality of your side, it's what you do with those players.
Ross Lyon deserves major plaudits for the Saints unbeaten run, but what first-year coach Voss has achieved with a patched-up outfit is remarkable.
Thompson continues to enhance his reputation, Eade hasn't put a foot wrong, and Knights grows by the week.
Tenth pick Mark Harvey's determination to play the kids has been admirable despite his club's ladder position.
10 BIG IMPROVERS
1. Patrick Ryder (Essendon)
2. Mitch Clark (Brisbane)
3. Clinton Jones (St Kilda)
4. Shaun Higgins (Bulldogs)
5. Andrew Lovett (Essendon)
6. Chris Tarrant (Fremantle)
7. Chris Knights (Adelaide)
8. Michael Jamison (Carlton)
9. Rhyce Shaw (Sydney)
10. Zac Dawson (St Kilda)
Fremantle's Chris Tarrant has propped up most-overrated lists for close to a decade, but finally a switch to defence has reinvigorated his career.
As expected, the rampant run of St Kilda has seen the likes of Clint Jones, Sam Gilbert, Justin Koschitzke and Andrew McQualter fire.
But the real litmus test is those that have not needed a dominant side to fire.
Ryder and Clark have been breathtaking in the ruck, Lovett is now a matchwinner, and Jamison is the most unheralded defender going around.
Paul Bower, Sam Gilbert, Koschitzke, and McQualter are all stiff.
10 BEST GAMES
1. Geelong v Bulldogs Round 9
Johnno's last-gasp miss caps a ripper as the Cats survive ... just
2. St Kilda v Carlton Round 12
As pure an exhibition of tackling pressure as we have seen
3. Essendon v Collingwood Round 5
Pies lead by 14 points deep in time on before Zaharakis snatches it
4. Hawthorn v Carlton Round 6
The Blues trail by 25 points in time on. Then they rally as Fevola (eight goals) hits the post at the death.
5. Fremantle v Richmond Round 10
Terry Wallace's 500th game as a player/coach. Mitch Morton's play-on matchwinning goal. Amazing.
6. Hawthorn v Geelong Round 1
The Cats dominate before the Hawks surge back in the GF rematch.
7. Brisbane v Carlton Round 11
Judd seals a thriller after another eight goals from Fev. Blues get the wobbles in the last term but hold on.
8. Richmond v Port Adelaide
If the game was ordinary early, Tredrea's seven, Mitch Morton's miss and Port's comeback make it a classic.
9. Essendon v Adelaide
Kurt Tippett kicks seven, Adelaide can't miss (21.4), and it ends up a 39-goal shootout.
10. Kangaroos v Port Adelaide Round 7
The Roos hold off a fast-finishing Port in a 38-goal Saturday night thriller
10 SUPERCOACH STARS
Best scores of 2009
197 GARY ABLETT (Geel) v Adel R4
46 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 3 goals, 4 score assists
190 DARREN JOLLY (Syd) v Haw R2
19 disposals, 11 hitouts to adv, 3 goals
184 WARREN TREDREA (Port) v Rich R8
20 disposals, 11 marks, 7 goals
184 JIMMY BARTEL (Geel) v North R8
34 disposals, 12 contested possessions, three goals
183 ADAM GOODES (Syd) v Haw R2
24 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 4 goals
179 LENNY HAYES (StK) v Port R5
32 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 7 tackles
176 LEON DAVIS (Coll) v Ess R5
32 disposals, 7 tackles, 2 goals
176 LEON DAVIS (Coll) v WC R9
32 disposals, 10 marks, 3 goals
175 GARY ABLETT (Geel) v WC R11
43 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 2 goals
175 SAM FISHER (StK) v Port R5
28 disposals, 8 marks, 0 goals conceded
Biggest price rises
1. Zac Dawson (up $286,400)
2. Andy Otten (up $269,500)
3. Brendan Whitecross (up $260,400)
4. Daniel Rich (up $240,700)
5. Andrew Swallow (up $231,300)
Biggest price drops
1. Luke Hodge (down $181,600)
2. Brett Jones (down $169,500)
3. James McDonald (down $156,500)
4. Michael Rischitelli (down $155,800)
5. Matthew Lloyd (down $146,500)
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