Votes by Sean Ross and notes by Chris
5 votes: Bachar Houli. Played four quarters, was prepared to get his hands dirty and showed some rare mongrel.
4 votes: Dusty Martin. Led the way busting tackles in the early going, inspired others to do likewise.
3 votes: Jayden Short. Nerveless debut, within half an hour of first running onto an AFL ground he was our best hope of hitting the scoreboard
2 votes: Jack Riewoldt. Led a 3rd quarter rally which would have been enough to give a sane team winning momentum.
1 vote: Shaun Hampson. Old fashioned hard work, did lions share against young and springy opponents. Should never be permitted to kick for goal again even at training.
The Benny
5: Lambert, Houli
4: Rance, Martin
3: Townsend, Short, Riewoldt
2: Lloyd
1: Hampson
Blair Hartley Appreciation Award
5: Houli
3: Townsend
1: Hampson
Anthony Banik Best First Year Player
3: Short
Joel Bowden's Golden Left Boot
5: Houli
Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal
3: Short
Next week’s votes will come from Cheryl Critchley – journalist, Vice President of the AFL Fans Association and legendary Tiger supporter
Fair picks. I’m glad Shaun Hampson got on the list. It’s amazing how so many in the “mainstream media” gave Cotch some votes, but pretty much all Richmond fans were disappointed by his performance. Maybe its the pressure of a deadline – or simply the easy recall of the big-name players – but so many seem to judge best players according to accumulated possessions.
Reckon most most fans see through this.
It’s not just a game about numbers.
Shaun Hampson showed something in that last quarter. He threw his body about, wrestling for the ball, wanting the pill, wanting to get possession and give it to his teammates. All us fans could see it, and the players could see it, and we were all glad for him.
But yes, his kicking for goal.
Not that he was the only one on Friday night.
Keen to see how Cheryl views the game; no pressure Cheryl!
(reckon she’s a good kick for goal under duress, with a deadline clock ticking)
#gotiges