Who were your Norm Smith top 3?

[Bennymno4]

I thought:

Hanners
Sewell
O'Keefe

Special mention to LRT, Franklin,AJ,Pyke and Smith.


By the way, the Norm Smith panel is made up of 5 judges (including a chairperson). This year the Chairperson was Brett Ratten...the other 4 panelists were Drew Morphett, Neil Cordy, Mick Malthouse and Tim McGrath. They each casted 3,2,1. Controversially, they are all were asked to submit their votes late final quarter (I'm told about the 20 min mark) and directed to not take into consideration the final minutes of the game. This is because the AFL demands that the result be collated in time to fit in with the post match ceremony. This is a big reason for the controversial decisons of awarding the norm smith to losing players (ie Buckley, Judd, Gary Ablett Snr and Maurice Rioli have been the only recipients in a losing side). All of these games that the losing players participated were close and up for grabs at about the 20 min mark...except for maybe Gary Ablett Snr where the Cats stormed home late. Interestingly, Lenny Hayes was awarded the medal in the drawn grand final and Pendlebury in the replay in 1990.

As for the 2012 voting, I was surprised how much ROK's winning vote margin was. I just believed Hanner's impact was more crucial and decisive in a physical contest. And boy, does he remimd me of a younger Luke Hodge at his prime. Full of courage, football nouse and leadership.

Hanners is fantastic but Hodgey is a far better kick

[Primmy]

Sewell was fantastic, but very glad it went to ROK.

When Judd won it in 2005, he played in a losing team and he didn't want it, positively surly on the day, and I am sure the medal is hanging on the back of the toilet door.

Peb deserved that medal by just a bit over Sewell, but I am sure Sewell wouldn't have wanted it.

[BillyRayCypress]

When Judd won it in 2005, he played in a losing team and he didn't want it, positively surly on the day, and I am sure the medal is hanging on the back of the toilet door.

He wouldn't want to invite Wayne Carey to his place then.

[Bennymno4]

He wouldn't want to invite Wayne Carey to his place then.

I would be more worried about Michael hutchence

[Triple B]

I would be more worried about Michael hutchence

The bad jokes are a bit in excess lately...

[Velour&Ruffles]

Sewell was fantastic, but very glad it went to ROK.

When Judd won it in 2005, he played in a losing team and he didn't want it, positively surly on the day, and I am sure the medal is hanging on the back of the toilet door.

Peb deserved that medal by just a bit over Sewell, but I am sure Sewell wouldn't have wanted it.

We've been robbed of at least one clear Norm Smith Medal winner. If Kirky wasn't BOG in 2006 then my rear end points heavenward.

[sharp9]

Norm Smith should never, ever under any circumstances go to a player on the losing team. Anzac medal OK but not the Norm Smith. Cannot believe how many of the votes went to Sewell.

Hannebery easily BOG by standard/brownlow analysis. But, personally (again!) I would actually award the Norm Smith for players doing things out of the ordinary. In the way the Anzac medal is not supposed to be for the best player, the Norm Smith should be for the player that got your juices going.

So my votes are also code for "my favourite players on the day"

3 Votes - Alex Johnson
2 Votes - Mike Pyke
1 Vote - Daniel Hannebery

So I'm judging this sort of, um, artistically. I thought Johnson's was the most Wonderful performance - it had a sort of beauty and rhythm to it...plus he is a teenager (which SHOULD be a factor IMHO). The Norm Smith should have romance not stats. Having watched the game at least five times it seems frankly, silly that ROK gets a medal. One really doesn't notice him much at all during the course of the game....except for that shocking kick with 2 minutes to go that nearly lost us the whole shemozzle! And the dropped chest mark also in the last couple of minutes. I actually can't recall another bit of play.

But my favourite moment of the entire game was when Johnson gathered the bouncing ball, sized up Gunston, took him on a released up the guts for the score which put us in front. One of the most beautiful goals of the year.

I would have given him the medal to him if I could have.

[sharp9]

We've been robbed of at least one clear Norm Smith Medal winner. If Kirky wasn't BOG in 2006 then my rear end points heavenward.

I know we lost that game but I cannot recall anything about it. Saw it on tele and switched off at final siren. The worst robbery was Buchanan in 2005. Head and shoulders the most influential player on the ground. Clever, brilliant and lion - hearted. Not to mention the match winning goal....also the best tackle possibly in GF history.

Judd had 29 touches for a grand total of 2 effective kicks.

[kangle4]

We've been robbed of at least one clear Norm Smith Medal winner. If Kirky wasn't BOG in 2006 then my rear end points heavenward.

I remember reading after that game that the guys voting had to decide with 5 minutes left in the game. After the game had finished enough of them would have voted differently after that 5 minutes to mean Kirk would have won the medal.

[sidswan]

Unfortunately I wasn't there, but from Tv:

Hanners
Hanners
Hanners

[Lucky Knickers]

ROK - worth winner. was everywhere, in everything, damaging possessions, an awesome tackle fest.
Hanners - did some super things at critical times. At the game I thought he'd win. After watching the replay I get the ROK.
AJ - as for Hanners. Plays with the brain of a veteran. Is there anyone cooler?

[Primmy]

AJ - as for Hanners. Plays with the brain of a veteran. Is there anyone cooler?

"and then he goes and spoils it all by carrying on like a pork chop" . He has the opposite of white line fever. Cool on the ground. Loud and boisterous off. Love it.

[TPR4]

Hanners, Sewell, ROK

If Hawthorn win then Sewell gets it, if Buddy kicks straight he's higher up too. But Dan was best on for me at the ground and on replay.

[Plugger46]

1. J. Kennedy
2. L. Franklin
3. D. Hannebery