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Mike Sheahan's Top 50
13 March 2004 Herald Sun
Bucks the dux
The pre-season ranking formula is based on expectations from a perfect set of circumstances and presumes all players will perform at or near their best through the season. It excludes a number of star players under a cloud for various reasons who may miss a large chunk of the year (see injury list). My pre-season list is fundamentally different to the post-season Top 50, which is a rating of that season's performance.
2004 Top 50
1 ? Nathan Buckley (Coll) (9 on 2003 list)
2 ? Adam Goodes (Syd) (-)
3 ? Matthew Lloyd (Ess) (5)
4 ? Jonathan Brown (BL) (25)
5 - James Hird (Ess) (2)
6 - Simon Black (BL) (4)
7 - Warren Tredrea (PA) (18)
8 - Shane Crawford (Haw) (7)
9 - Matthew Pavlich (Frem) (27)
10 - Barry Hall (Syd) (33)
11 - Michael Gardiner (WC) (-)
12 - Nigel Lappin (BL) (21)
13 - Mark Ricciuto (Adel) (-)
14 - Lenny Hayes (StK) (32)
15 - Brad Ottens (Rich) (injury list)
16 - Jason Akermanis (BL) (11)
17 - Ben Cousins (WC) (13)
18 - Justin Leppitsch (BL) (8)
19 - Brad Johnson (WB) (19)
20 - Chris Johnson (BL) (30)
21 - Chris Tarrant (Coll) (46)
22 - Andrew McLeod (Adel) (3)
23 - Matthew Primus (PA) (15)
24 - Matthew Scarlett (Geel) (-)
25 - Mal Michael (BL) (-)
26 - Brent Harvey (Roos) (20)
27 - Luke Power (BL) (42)
28 - Chris Judd (WC) (50)
29 - Peter Everitt (Haw) (28)
30 - David Neitz (Melb) (12)
31 - Nick Riewoldt (StK) (26)
32 - Dustin Fletcher (Ess) (14)
33 - Anthony Rocca (Coll) (16)
34 - Gavin Wanganeen (PA) (-)
35 - Nathan Brown (Rich) (10)
36 - Peter Bell (Freo) (-)
37 - Cameron Ling (Geel) (-)
38 - Robert Harvey (StK) (-)
39 - Alastair Lynch (BL) (-)
40 - Jason Johnson (Ess) (23)
41 - Brett Kirk (Syd) (-)
42 - Brendon Fevola (Carl) (-)
43 - Paul Hasleby (Fre) (40)
44 - Aaron Hamill (StK) (-)
45 - Scott Lucas (Ess) (-)
46 - Luke Darcy (WB) (6)
47 - Mark Coughlan (Rich) (-)
48 - Chad Cornes (PA) (45)
49 - Matthew Richardson (Rich) (29)
50 - Leo Barry (Syd) (-)
Young guns (under 21, fewer than 30 games)
1 - Luke Ball (StK)
2 - Nick Dal Santo (StK)
3 - Graham Polak (Freo)
4 - Brendon Goddard (StK)
5 - Ashley Sampi (WC)
6 - Jared Brennan (BL)
7 - Joel Reynolds (Ess)
8 - Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Syd)
9 - Matt Maguire (StK)
10 - Richard Cole (Coll)
11 - Adam Schneider (Syd)
12 - Sam Power (WB)
13 - Campbell Brown (Haw)
14 - Byron Schammer (Freo)
15 - Steve Salopek (PA)
Injury list (injured or under a cloud)
1 - Michael Voss (BL)
2 - Anthony Koutoufides (Carl)
3 - Steven King (Geel)
4 - Roger James (PA)
5 - Wayne Campbell (Rich)
WHEN the siren sounded to end the 2003 season, Michael Voss generally was acknowledged as the most respected and valuable player in the competition. Voss finished the season marginally in front of Nathan Buckley as player of the year . . . and on one leg.
From all reports, little has changed since with the troublesome right knee. So much so, it is plausible the dynamic midfielder will have to be nursed through the rest of what has been a brilliant career.
If Voss was seen to be fit, he would be No. 1 in my top 50. For the third year running.
It is that "if" that convinces me he can't play to the standard we have come to expect. Certainly, not on a weekly basis.
It is why I have elevated Buckley to the mantle of the most valuable player in the competition.
Voss has been off-loaded to the "injured" list, the classification set aside for contenders for the 50 whose fitness and durability is in serious doubt.
Buckley may be 31, but, in my opinion, is at the peak of his powers.
He was the leading kick-getter in the competition last year; fourth for disposals.
He was a clear winner in the best-and-fairest at a club that finished second; a record sixth Copeland Trophy. He shared the Brownlow Medal with Adam Goodes and Mark Ricciuto.
Buckley has become a more rounded performer under Michael Malthouse's coaching.
He is a better performer in big games, and wins more possessions in more important parts of the ground.
Really, his record speaks for itself. He has averaged better than 20 games in 11 seasons at AFL level, has a Brownlow and a Norm Smith, and amassed 650 possessions in 24 games last year.
Adam Goodes, who has taken a giant leap to No. 2, is a unique talent.
Goodes plays as a ruckman, but could play anywhere, and we're talking key position and flanks.
He was a full-forward as a junior and has developed into perhaps the most difficult player of all to contain.
If they're tall enough to match him in the air, they can't keep up with him at ground level; if they can run with him, he jumps all over them.
His other great asset is the mental strength to make the most of his speed and mobility.
As improbable as it sounds, we have seen evidence of Goodes winning a ruck contest, swooping on the loose ball at ground level, and sprinting away from his pursuers.
Matthew Lloyd comes in third, ahead of teammate James Hird for the first time.
At 25, Lloyd should be at his zenith. His history says he is certain to kick at least 70 goals if he plays the bulk of the games. More if Essendon is as good as I expect.
He plays in front, marks with his arms forward and extended, and kicks longer and straighter than . . . the rest.
His importance to this group is illustrated by the fact he kicked 27 per cent of Essendon's goals last year.
Jonathan Brown lands at No. 4. Yes, he is only 22 and has played just 76 games, but, if you offered 16 coaches the opportunity to grab one player from another club, 15 would cry "J. Brown".
He has three premierships to his name, and he played a pivotal role in each of them.
He is big and mean, loves the big stage, and thrives in the toughest spot on the field.
Hird at No. 5 will surprise many. He won his fourth best-and-fairest last year (shared with Scott Lucas), but his game is based on nous, ability to read the play and superb courage these days.
Hird kicked only 13 goals from his 18 games last year; he averaged four marks a game.
In 2000, he averaged more of everything, and kicked 36 goals.
He doesn't mark overhead like he did; he doesn't seem to kick as far or as accurately as he did. There's a suspicion his left knee has a lot to do with both developments.
Simon Black is a champion. Not the most stylish of champions, but a champ all the same.
In Brisbane's three premiership years, he has finished first, first and equal-second (with Luke Power) in the best-and-fairest.
Throw in a Brownlow and a Norm Smith and you get the picture.
Warren Tredrea has to be top 10. He is the All-Australian centre half-forward, kicking 58 goals and averaging better than eight marks a game.
While he is more consistent than Brown, the Brisbane bloke is better in the bigger games, and I'm not going to even mention kicking for goal.
Shane Crawford is the best little man in the business. Cheeky, quick, aggressive, and possessed of amazing stamina.
Matthew Pavlich storms into the top 10 at 22. I've said it before, but the similarities with Sam Kekovich during his brief run as the most dynamic player in the then VFL are powerful.
Pavlich is listed at 192cm and 100kg, and he can run and jump.
If Fremantle is to continue to climb the ladder, it will be on his back.
Barry Hall rounds off the top 10.
Sydney was unrepresented in the 10 this time last year when I suspected a dismal season for the Swans. Goodes and Hall emerged and the Swans finished fourth.
A more tractable Hall played all 24 games last year, occupying the position created by Wayne Carey: midway between conventional full-forward and centre-half-forward.
He did the ruckwork inside the forward 50, too. And he kicked 64 goals.
He is remarkably good on his feet for a man of his size. He is critical to his team's finals hopes.
mlhttp://heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/c...55E20123,00.ht
13 March 2004 Herald Sun
Bucks the dux
The pre-season ranking formula is based on expectations from a perfect set of circumstances and presumes all players will perform at or near their best through the season. It excludes a number of star players under a cloud for various reasons who may miss a large chunk of the year (see injury list). My pre-season list is fundamentally different to the post-season Top 50, which is a rating of that season's performance.
2004 Top 50
1 ? Nathan Buckley (Coll) (9 on 2003 list)
2 ? Adam Goodes (Syd) (-)
3 ? Matthew Lloyd (Ess) (5)
4 ? Jonathan Brown (BL) (25)
5 - James Hird (Ess) (2)
6 - Simon Black (BL) (4)
7 - Warren Tredrea (PA) (18)
8 - Shane Crawford (Haw) (7)
9 - Matthew Pavlich (Frem) (27)
10 - Barry Hall (Syd) (33)
11 - Michael Gardiner (WC) (-)
12 - Nigel Lappin (BL) (21)
13 - Mark Ricciuto (Adel) (-)
14 - Lenny Hayes (StK) (32)
15 - Brad Ottens (Rich) (injury list)
16 - Jason Akermanis (BL) (11)
17 - Ben Cousins (WC) (13)
18 - Justin Leppitsch (BL) (8)
19 - Brad Johnson (WB) (19)
20 - Chris Johnson (BL) (30)
21 - Chris Tarrant (Coll) (46)
22 - Andrew McLeod (Adel) (3)
23 - Matthew Primus (PA) (15)
24 - Matthew Scarlett (Geel) (-)
25 - Mal Michael (BL) (-)
26 - Brent Harvey (Roos) (20)
27 - Luke Power (BL) (42)
28 - Chris Judd (WC) (50)
29 - Peter Everitt (Haw) (28)
30 - David Neitz (Melb) (12)
31 - Nick Riewoldt (StK) (26)
32 - Dustin Fletcher (Ess) (14)
33 - Anthony Rocca (Coll) (16)
34 - Gavin Wanganeen (PA) (-)
35 - Nathan Brown (Rich) (10)
36 - Peter Bell (Freo) (-)
37 - Cameron Ling (Geel) (-)
38 - Robert Harvey (StK) (-)
39 - Alastair Lynch (BL) (-)
40 - Jason Johnson (Ess) (23)
41 - Brett Kirk (Syd) (-)
42 - Brendon Fevola (Carl) (-)
43 - Paul Hasleby (Fre) (40)
44 - Aaron Hamill (StK) (-)
45 - Scott Lucas (Ess) (-)
46 - Luke Darcy (WB) (6)
47 - Mark Coughlan (Rich) (-)
48 - Chad Cornes (PA) (45)
49 - Matthew Richardson (Rich) (29)
50 - Leo Barry (Syd) (-)
Young guns (under 21, fewer than 30 games)
1 - Luke Ball (StK)
2 - Nick Dal Santo (StK)
3 - Graham Polak (Freo)
4 - Brendon Goddard (StK)
5 - Ashley Sampi (WC)
6 - Jared Brennan (BL)
7 - Joel Reynolds (Ess)
8 - Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Syd)
9 - Matt Maguire (StK)
10 - Richard Cole (Coll)
11 - Adam Schneider (Syd)
12 - Sam Power (WB)
13 - Campbell Brown (Haw)
14 - Byron Schammer (Freo)
15 - Steve Salopek (PA)
Injury list (injured or under a cloud)
1 - Michael Voss (BL)
2 - Anthony Koutoufides (Carl)
3 - Steven King (Geel)
4 - Roger James (PA)
5 - Wayne Campbell (Rich)
WHEN the siren sounded to end the 2003 season, Michael Voss generally was acknowledged as the most respected and valuable player in the competition. Voss finished the season marginally in front of Nathan Buckley as player of the year . . . and on one leg.
From all reports, little has changed since with the troublesome right knee. So much so, it is plausible the dynamic midfielder will have to be nursed through the rest of what has been a brilliant career.
If Voss was seen to be fit, he would be No. 1 in my top 50. For the third year running.
It is that "if" that convinces me he can't play to the standard we have come to expect. Certainly, not on a weekly basis.
It is why I have elevated Buckley to the mantle of the most valuable player in the competition.
Voss has been off-loaded to the "injured" list, the classification set aside for contenders for the 50 whose fitness and durability is in serious doubt.
Buckley may be 31, but, in my opinion, is at the peak of his powers.
He was the leading kick-getter in the competition last year; fourth for disposals.
He was a clear winner in the best-and-fairest at a club that finished second; a record sixth Copeland Trophy. He shared the Brownlow Medal with Adam Goodes and Mark Ricciuto.
Buckley has become a more rounded performer under Michael Malthouse's coaching.
He is a better performer in big games, and wins more possessions in more important parts of the ground.
Really, his record speaks for itself. He has averaged better than 20 games in 11 seasons at AFL level, has a Brownlow and a Norm Smith, and amassed 650 possessions in 24 games last year.
Adam Goodes, who has taken a giant leap to No. 2, is a unique talent.
Goodes plays as a ruckman, but could play anywhere, and we're talking key position and flanks.
He was a full-forward as a junior and has developed into perhaps the most difficult player of all to contain.
If they're tall enough to match him in the air, they can't keep up with him at ground level; if they can run with him, he jumps all over them.
His other great asset is the mental strength to make the most of his speed and mobility.
As improbable as it sounds, we have seen evidence of Goodes winning a ruck contest, swooping on the loose ball at ground level, and sprinting away from his pursuers.
Matthew Lloyd comes in third, ahead of teammate James Hird for the first time.
At 25, Lloyd should be at his zenith. His history says he is certain to kick at least 70 goals if he plays the bulk of the games. More if Essendon is as good as I expect.
He plays in front, marks with his arms forward and extended, and kicks longer and straighter than . . . the rest.
His importance to this group is illustrated by the fact he kicked 27 per cent of Essendon's goals last year.
Jonathan Brown lands at No. 4. Yes, he is only 22 and has played just 76 games, but, if you offered 16 coaches the opportunity to grab one player from another club, 15 would cry "J. Brown".
He has three premierships to his name, and he played a pivotal role in each of them.
He is big and mean, loves the big stage, and thrives in the toughest spot on the field.
Hird at No. 5 will surprise many. He won his fourth best-and-fairest last year (shared with Scott Lucas), but his game is based on nous, ability to read the play and superb courage these days.
Hird kicked only 13 goals from his 18 games last year; he averaged four marks a game.
In 2000, he averaged more of everything, and kicked 36 goals.
He doesn't mark overhead like he did; he doesn't seem to kick as far or as accurately as he did. There's a suspicion his left knee has a lot to do with both developments.
Simon Black is a champion. Not the most stylish of champions, but a champ all the same.
In Brisbane's three premiership years, he has finished first, first and equal-second (with Luke Power) in the best-and-fairest.
Throw in a Brownlow and a Norm Smith and you get the picture.
Warren Tredrea has to be top 10. He is the All-Australian centre half-forward, kicking 58 goals and averaging better than eight marks a game.
While he is more consistent than Brown, the Brisbane bloke is better in the bigger games, and I'm not going to even mention kicking for goal.
Shane Crawford is the best little man in the business. Cheeky, quick, aggressive, and possessed of amazing stamina.
Matthew Pavlich storms into the top 10 at 22. I've said it before, but the similarities with Sam Kekovich during his brief run as the most dynamic player in the then VFL are powerful.
Pavlich is listed at 192cm and 100kg, and he can run and jump.
If Fremantle is to continue to climb the ladder, it will be on his back.
Barry Hall rounds off the top 10.
Sydney was unrepresented in the 10 this time last year when I suspected a dismal season for the Swans. Goodes and Hall emerged and the Swans finished fourth.
A more tractable Hall played all 24 games last year, occupying the position created by Wayne Carey: midway between conventional full-forward and centre-half-forward.
He did the ruckwork inside the forward 50, too. And he kicked 64 goals.
He is remarkably good on his feet for a man of his size. He is critical to his team's finals hopes.
mlhttp://heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/c...55E20123,00.ht
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