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Since the Skilton Medal presentation is on Thursday night, I thought that I’d start a thread, so we can put down a few predictions. According to a couple of articles on the Swans website, there are six main contenders. In alphabetical order, these are; Lloyd, Mills, Papley, Parker, Rampe and Rowbottom. Which is fair enough: although I was slightly surprised that they still rated Rampe as a contender, as he missed six games. Anyway, for what it’s worth, I thought that I’d do my predicted top 10.
1 – Jake Lloyd. I’ve been very impressed with Lloyd this year. He amassed 439 possessions, which ranked him third in the AFL for the home and away season. While his disposal could at times be a bit more incisive, he relentlessly provided an option for his fellow defenders. When one of them was under pressure, Jake often arrived to present them with a way to relieve that pressure. He also seemed to be a bit more hard-edged, this season. He racked up 104 contested possessions, which was fifth for the Swans and 37 tackles, which ranked eighth. These were both improvements on his Skilton Medal winning year of 2018. In that year, he had 1.61 tackles and 5.38 CPs per game. This season it was 2.18 and 6.12 per game. His 81 marks this season, was also the most by a Swan.
2 – Luke Parker. Another wholehearted year from the two time Skilton Medallist, in which he shouldered much of the inside midfield load, due to Kennedy missing 5 games and Hewett 11 games. His 84 tackles, 82 clearances and 192 clearances, all topped the Swans stat list. While he had a few anonymous games, he produced enough high quality performances, to probably end up as the top Swans vote getter in the Brownlow.
3 – Tom Papley. His 26 goals easily topped the goals tally, with the next best being Hayward’s 10. He also spent a bit more time in the middle, with his 21 clearances ranking seventh for the Swans. But I think his clearances were also notable for their effectiveness: instead of a dump kick under pressure, he often emerged from the contest at pace, with ball in hand. However, his season was one of two halves. For much of the first half, people were talking about him as a possible Coleman winner, while for the second half, he could hardly buy a goal. In the first eight games, he kicked 19-10, while in the last nine, he kicked 7-17. Probably worth noting, that after the eighth game, Clarkson labelled him a stager, and after that, I got the impression that umpires were loathe to pay him any frees, not matter how much they were deserved. So, if he doesn’t win the Skilton, perhaps he can blame Alastair the toxic goblin?
4 – James Rowbottom. Another strong development year for young James, who also shouldered more inside midfield responsibility. He had our second highest number of contested possessions with 128. While his 58 tackles and 51 clearances, both ranked third for the club. Though I think it was more the style of possessions, that consolidated his reputation as a future star. To me, he often looked to be our most dangerous player, with his excellent evasive skills and his ability to select and hit the best attacking option, while under high pressure.
5 – Callum Mills. Not sure if I would rate Mills as a genuine Skilton contender, as I thought his year was very solid, rather than award winning. His case won’t be helped by playing only 15 games, rather than the 17 of Lloyd, Parker and Papley, and 16 of Rowbottom. While he did spend a small amount of time in midfield, he was probably at his best when playing as a spare man in defence. He took 77 marks, which was second behind Lloyd, and his 49 tackles was our fourth most.
6 – Dane Rampe. That the Swans site lists him as a contender, when he only played 11 games, is a demonstration of just how good he was in those that he played. Three of those games he played with a broken hand. Until he further damaged his hand in round 12, I had him as clear favourite to make it back to back Skilton Medals. It will be interesting to see, how far in front he will be in the count, at the conclusion of round 12. Don’t expect him to hang on, but hey, stranger things have happened.
7 – Jordan Dawson. Another productive season, without really starring in any particular role. I was going to say that he may have played every position except ruckman, but I vaguely recall him taking a few centre bounces, without managing to get a hitout. Still seems to be our best field kick, which is emphasised by him topping our goal assists, even though he only occasionally played forward.
8 – Harry Cunningham. Another key component of our excellent defence. Much like Lloyd, he always seemed to be popping up, to provide an option for a team mate under pressure. Also defended well against small forwards and pacy flankers. One of only five players to play all 17 games.
9 – Ollie Florent. Another to play all 17 games, he topped the club for inside fifties, with 72. However, while he did have some quality games, he probably didn’t improve as much as most people were hoping.
10 – Will Hayward. Seemed to lack confidence early on, but he improved after being switched briefly to defence. Was second behind Papley for goals kicked, often provided a leading marking option on the wing and applied some good pressure to opposition rebounders.
1 – Jake Lloyd. I’ve been very impressed with Lloyd this year. He amassed 439 possessions, which ranked him third in the AFL for the home and away season. While his disposal could at times be a bit more incisive, he relentlessly provided an option for his fellow defenders. When one of them was under pressure, Jake often arrived to present them with a way to relieve that pressure. He also seemed to be a bit more hard-edged, this season. He racked up 104 contested possessions, which was fifth for the Swans and 37 tackles, which ranked eighth. These were both improvements on his Skilton Medal winning year of 2018. In that year, he had 1.61 tackles and 5.38 CPs per game. This season it was 2.18 and 6.12 per game. His 81 marks this season, was also the most by a Swan.
2 – Luke Parker. Another wholehearted year from the two time Skilton Medallist, in which he shouldered much of the inside midfield load, due to Kennedy missing 5 games and Hewett 11 games. His 84 tackles, 82 clearances and 192 clearances, all topped the Swans stat list. While he had a few anonymous games, he produced enough high quality performances, to probably end up as the top Swans vote getter in the Brownlow.
3 – Tom Papley. His 26 goals easily topped the goals tally, with the next best being Hayward’s 10. He also spent a bit more time in the middle, with his 21 clearances ranking seventh for the Swans. But I think his clearances were also notable for their effectiveness: instead of a dump kick under pressure, he often emerged from the contest at pace, with ball in hand. However, his season was one of two halves. For much of the first half, people were talking about him as a possible Coleman winner, while for the second half, he could hardly buy a goal. In the first eight games, he kicked 19-10, while in the last nine, he kicked 7-17. Probably worth noting, that after the eighth game, Clarkson labelled him a stager, and after that, I got the impression that umpires were loathe to pay him any frees, not matter how much they were deserved. So, if he doesn’t win the Skilton, perhaps he can blame Alastair the toxic goblin?
4 – James Rowbottom. Another strong development year for young James, who also shouldered more inside midfield responsibility. He had our second highest number of contested possessions with 128. While his 58 tackles and 51 clearances, both ranked third for the club. Though I think it was more the style of possessions, that consolidated his reputation as a future star. To me, he often looked to be our most dangerous player, with his excellent evasive skills and his ability to select and hit the best attacking option, while under high pressure.
5 – Callum Mills. Not sure if I would rate Mills as a genuine Skilton contender, as I thought his year was very solid, rather than award winning. His case won’t be helped by playing only 15 games, rather than the 17 of Lloyd, Parker and Papley, and 16 of Rowbottom. While he did spend a small amount of time in midfield, he was probably at his best when playing as a spare man in defence. He took 77 marks, which was second behind Lloyd, and his 49 tackles was our fourth most.
6 – Dane Rampe. That the Swans site lists him as a contender, when he only played 11 games, is a demonstration of just how good he was in those that he played. Three of those games he played with a broken hand. Until he further damaged his hand in round 12, I had him as clear favourite to make it back to back Skilton Medals. It will be interesting to see, how far in front he will be in the count, at the conclusion of round 12. Don’t expect him to hang on, but hey, stranger things have happened.
7 – Jordan Dawson. Another productive season, without really starring in any particular role. I was going to say that he may have played every position except ruckman, but I vaguely recall him taking a few centre bounces, without managing to get a hitout. Still seems to be our best field kick, which is emphasised by him topping our goal assists, even though he only occasionally played forward.
8 – Harry Cunningham. Another key component of our excellent defence. Much like Lloyd, he always seemed to be popping up, to provide an option for a team mate under pressure. Also defended well against small forwards and pacy flankers. One of only five players to play all 17 games.
9 – Ollie Florent. Another to play all 17 games, he topped the club for inside fifties, with 72. However, while he did have some quality games, he probably didn’t improve as much as most people were hoping.
10 – Will Hayward. Seemed to lack confidence early on, but he improved after being switched briefly to defence. Was second behind Papley for goals kicked, often provided a leading marking option on the wing and applied some good pressure to opposition rebounders.
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