by Dutchy » Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:09 pm
Massive thanks to Chris for passing this onto us to share -
2017 MAGAREY MEDAL PREVIEW
Adelaide: Harrison Wigg – Has been excellent around the ball all season for Adelaide, and a
good chance of kicking off his night in round two versus South, where his 30 handlings and
seven inside 50’s were a major factor. Could sneak a vote in the round five loss to
Woodville/West Torrens with a game high 28 disposals and six inside 50’s, but should be at the
top of the slips after a 38 touch, 13 clearance effort in the round six defeat of West. Likely to find
attention in the round nine win over Norwood after finding it 30 times along with two goals, but
may cool his heels until the next meeting at the Parade, when his 27 touches, eight clearances
and seven inside 50’s led Adelaide when defeated by Norwood in round 14. A game high 34
handlings, six clearances and ten inside 50’s were outstanding in the round 15 loss to Glenelg,
and a final round 27 touches, six inside 50’s and ten tackles in the narrow loss to South might
close out a big night.
Roughie: Scott Thompson – Won’t be seen until the round six win over West but will battle with
Wigg for top votes after 30 disposals, 13 clearances and five inside 50’s, and a good chance of
following that in the round seven defeat of North with 24 touches, two inside 50’s and six
clearances. Laying 14 tackles to accompany 25 possessions, nine clearances and a goal in the
round nine win over Norwood should see him high on the slips, and will be very hard to ignore
in round ten following 33 handlings, ten clearances and two goals in the beating of Central.
Unlikely to be a chance to poll again until the round 16 defeat of North with 28 disposals, nine
clearances and six tackles, but may sneak a minor vote against the Eagles in round 17 after 29
touches, seven tackles and nine clearances. Could complete the rare feat of polling in his final
SANFL match in the round 18 loss to South with 28 possessions, 12 tackles and two goals. May
make it interesting.
Central District: Nick Holman – Has taken his game to another level in his second season at
Elizabeth, but might not start his night until the round four loss to Glenelg. 24 touches, 11 tackles
and six clearances were dominant for the Dogs, and the round eight win over West brought him
under attention after 26 dispoals, eight tackles and a goal. May sneak a vote in the round nine
loss to Sturt after 29 handlings, eight clearances and two goals, and was excellent in the round
ten loss to Adelaide with 30 touches, eleven clearance and eleven tackles. One of the clearest
three vote games across the league in the round 11 defeat of Glenelg, finding it 38 times to go
with five goals, and led all comers with 30 touches and five tackles in the narrow round 13 loss
to Port. Will fight it out with a host of teammates in the round 16 thrashing of Norwood after 30
handlings, five tackles and four clearances, and an excellent chance again of polling in the round
17 defeat of West following 20 disposals, eight tackles and two goals. Will need the umpires to
notice him more than 2016, but a solid chance.
Roughie: Travis Schiller – Noted votegetter who has maintained his standards in 2017. Should
start the ball rolling in round three following a 38 disposal, eight clearance, one goal effort in the
win against Adelaide, and a 27 touch, six clearance, one goal round five game against Norwood
may win further attention despite the Dogs defeat. Led all comers in the round six loss to South
with 28 handlings, and was also the match leader with 33 disposals and seven clearances in the
round seven loss to Port. 34 handlings and six clearances were pivotal when the Bulldogs
knocked over Glenelg in round 11, and excellent in the round 16 Norwood win with 26
disposals, 14 tackles and a goal. Solid chance to finish with votes in the round 18 win against the
Eagles after 32 handlings, eight clearances and a goal. Could surprise if rewarded similar to past
years.
Glenelg: Matthew Snook – Has polled well in the past and with the Tigers having a consistent
season, his form has mirrored that of the team. Could start his run in the round two win over
Sturt following 25 handlings, four clearances and a goal, and a good chance of following in the
round three victory against South after 22 touches, eight clearances and five frees. 27 disposals
and seven clearances were notable in the round four defeat of Central, but may not attract further
attention until the round nine win over North, finding it 27 times along with six tackles and seven
clearances. Should duel with Eagle Chris Hall in the loss at Glenelg after a 34 possession, ten
clearance effort, and despite the Tigers losing to Norwood in round 12, his 32 disposals, 13
clearances and five tackles were outstanding. May be the first SANFL player to poll three votes
at Bordertown, when his 30 touches, eight clearances and ten tackles were brilliant in the round
15 win over Adelaide and could surprise with a vote in the round 18 loss to West after 22
possessions, six tackles, three frees and a goal. High finish looks on the cards.
Roughie: Ben Sawford – A consistent season through the middle may win rewards in the round
one win over Port following 23 touches, six tackles and four frees, and his 31 handlings, four
tackles and five rebound 50’s were solid in the defeat of Sturt in round two. 29 disposals, six
tackles and six clearances led all in the round four win over Central, and the round seven victory
over West brought a team high of 24 possessions, six tackles and eight clearances. Round nine
should bring further attention following 31 touches, nine tackles and four inside 50’s in the win
against North, but that may nearly close out his night.
North Adelaide: Max Thring: Could kick off his tally in round two following 22 touches,
four inside 50’s and two goals in the loss to Central, but may have to wait until round eleven for
his next votes. 28 disposals, seven tackles and eight inside 50’s in the defeat of South were
crucial, while finding it 24 times along with five tackles and six clearances will keep him under
notice in the round 13 defeat by Norwood. Excellent in the round 17 win over Glenelg with 24
handlings, five clearances and two goals. Could sneak a top ten finish.
Norwood: Mitch Grigg – Prolific poller in the past and could start the night in the narrow
round two loss to Port after 21 disposals, six clearances and two goals. Near certain top votes in
the round three win over West with 33 handlings, seven inside 50’s and two goals, and another
33 touches, five inside 50’s and a goal in the last minute round four loss to South should also
keep him at the top of attention. Finding it 30 times along with along with five inside 50 and two
goals in the round five defeat of Central may complete a trio of top votes, and he will also be
hard to ignore in the round six win over Glenelg after 20 disposals, eight inside 50 and three
goals. Round seven is another chance to poll with 26 touches, seven clearances and seven inside
50’s when defeating Woodville/West Torrens, and a game high 33 handlings, seven clearances
and a goal in a narrow round nine loss to Adelaide looks set to be rewarded. 35 disposals, six
clearances and four inside 50’s led all comers in the round eleven defeat by West, and could add
further in round 14 with a 26 touch, three inside 50 effort in the win over Adelaide. Close to top
votes again in the round 15 beating of Woodville/West Torrens after finding it 28 times along
with eleven clearances, and looks set to poll in the round 18 draw with Sturt following 27
possessions, five inside 50’s and two goals. Deserved favorite.
Roughie: Matt Panos – Round four may be his opener, with 28 touches, ten clearances and three
goals in the loss to South. Should fight it out with Grigg for top honours in round five against
Central following 34 disposals, 12 clearances and two goals, but may not hear his name again
until the round twelve win over Glenelg after 27 handlings, nine clearances and a goal. The
round 13 defeat of North looks a likely three votes, with 30 disposals, eleven clearances and a
goal, and the run should continue in the round 14 win over Adelaide after 32 touches, four inside
50’s and two goals. Looks likely to again duel with Grigg in the round 15 win over the Eagles
after 29 handlings, three inside 50’s and two goals. Mid teens finish possible.
Port Magpies: Steven Summerton – May be in the highly unusual position of double figure
votes at both league and reserves level. Round three looks a near certain three votes versus North
after 38 disposals and four inside 50’s in their big victory, and should follow in the round four
win over Adelaide after 34 touches, six clearances and four inside 50’s. 30 possessions, six
tackles and six inside 50’s were critical in the round seven win over Central, and will be among a
host of Magpies under notice in the round eight defeat of South after 31 handlings and three
inside 50’s. Unlikely to poll again until round twelve, with a 28 disposal, seven clearance and six
inside 50 effort in the win against Adelaide, and that could be the end of his 2017 tally.
Roughie: Brendan AhChee – Has taken his game to another level this season and the round one
loss to Glenelg should commence proceedings following a 30 disposal, seven inside 50, three
goal match, and three more goals to go with 21 handlings and four tackles in the big round three
win over North gives another chance. The round five defeat of Sturt was a 25 touch, nine
clearance, two goal game that looks likely for further attention, but may cool his heels until
round 13 with a 24 possession, eight clearance, five tackle gam in the loss to Central. Big chance
of top votes in round 14 following 29 handlings, ten clearances and three goals in the thumping
of Glenelg and the round 15 defeat of South could also draw attention after 22 possessions, ten
clearances and four inside 50’s. May sneak a vote in the round 17 win over Norwood after 27
disposals, five tackles and two goals. Not the roughest chance.
South Adelaide: Joel Cross – The dual Medallist has a sneaky chance again in 2017, and the
round one win over West could be the catalyst. 27 possessions, six clearances and seven inside
50’s led all comers, while the round three defeat of Glenelg brings a further opportunity after 27
touches, six tackles and five inside 50’s. May cool his heels until the round eight loss to Port
after 32 handlings, five inside 50’s and three goals, but should back it up quickly in the round
nine loss to Woodville/West Torrens with 32 possessions and six clearances. The round twelve
defeat of Central is a good chance of votes with 23 touches, five tackles and nine clearances, and
could back it up in the round 15 loss to Port following 29 handlings, ten clearances and a goal.
Round sixteen may set him up for a grandstand finish, as he was dominant with 31 disposals,
five clearances and a goal in the thumping of the Eagles, and while South lost to Sturt in round
seventeen, his 40 possessions and two goals were clearly best afield. The final round win over
Adelaide should round out a barnstorming late run after a 20 disposal, six tackles, five inside
50’s and two goal match. May be the big swooper.
Roughie: Nick Liddle – Found plenty of the ball in 2017, and the round loss to Adelaide could
be his catalyst, finding it 27 times along with seven inside 50’s and five tackles, before another
chance in the round five defeat of North after 26 handlings, nine tackles and seven inside 50’s.
The round six win over Central should bring further votes with 22 disposals, six clearances and
two goals, May sneak a minor vote in the round ten loss to Norwood following 22 touches, nine
tackles and five clearances, but a 27 possession, five tackle, one goal effort in the round 12
defeat of Central appears a big chance for top votes. Likely to duel with Cross for top votes in
the round 16 belting of the Eagles after 28 touches, five inside 50’s and a goal and the final
round win over Adelaide may set up an interesting conclusion with his 23 disposals, six rebound
50’s and five tackles leading for the Panthers. High teens finish likely.
Sturt: Zane Kirkwood – The dual Medallist has been steady in 2017 and if he can sneak votes
in the round one win over Adelaide with 27 disposals, five tackles and four inside 50’s, it may
give a very early guide to whether the men in green are prepared to reward him again. Likely to
cool his heels until round five, leading the Double Blues with 25 handlings, six inside 50’s and
three frees in the defeat of West, and should be rewarded again in round six defeat of North
following 25 touches, five clearances and five inside 50’s. Will fight it out with a host of
teammates in the round ten victory over Port after 25 possessions, four tackles, six clearances
and 1.3, and will be hard to ignore in the round eleven defeat of Adelaide with 27 disposals, four
clearances and six inside 50’s. Round 14 will be a tough one to split between him and teammate
James Battersby for top votes after 30 possessions, nine clearances, eight inside 50’s and two
goals when beating the Bulldogs, and round 16 may be more votes with his 26 touches, seven
tackles and six clearances a highlight in the defeat of Glenelg. Should be high on the boards
again.
Roughie: James Battersby – no player has gotten close to winning the Medal after missing seven
matches since Craig Bradley fell four short in 1983 after missing eight matches with
international junior cricket duties, but Battersby will give it a fair crack. Didn’t start 2017 until
round eight, and his votes look set to start in round ten with 30 handlings, seven tackles and six
clearances in the defeat of Port. The round eleven win over Adelaide is a big chance of top
votes, after 32 possessions, ten clearances and six tackles, and the round twelve victory over
North should replicate this after 29 disposals, ten tackles and twelve clearances. The round 14
defeat of Central should give further votes after 31 touches, 14 tackles and 12 clearances, and the
round 15 win against West with 32 handlings, eight tackles and seven clearances looks another
big chance. The round 17 win against South was a 22 touch, 10 tackles and four clearance effort
which may bring further reward while the final round game against Norwood was a 24 disposal,
seven tackle and three inside 50’s effort which may sneak votes. Might have missed too many
but will create great interest in the run home.
West Adelaide: Kaine Stevens – Has been in excellent form again in 2017, but likely to suffer
from too many big Bloods losses. His first chance appears to be the round five loss to Sturt, after
22 disposals, four clearances, four inside 50’s and a goal, and may follow it up in the round six
loss to Adelaide with a team high 27 handlings, nine clearances and a goal. The narrow round
seven loss to Glenelg could complete a trifecta of votes after 27 possessions, seven tackles and
2.2, and the round seven loss to Central led all West players with 26 touches, four rebound 50’s
and three clearances. One of the more certain three vote games in round 13, where his 36
touches, five tackles and two goals were outstanding against Adelaide, and should follow this in
the round 14 win over South after 33 disposals, twelve tackles and ten clearances. A solid chance
to round out a strong year in the final round win over Glenelg after 21 possessions, ten tackles
and a goal. Appears set to poll strongly but fall short.
Woodville/West Torrens: Jared Petrenko – May have missed too many to be a big threat,
but will be among a host of Eagles vying for round one attention in the win over Central after 23
touches and five inside 50’s. Should be close to the maximum in the round two defeat of West
following 32 disposals, 11 clearances and five inside 50’s, and could sneak a minor vote when
beating Sturt in round three with 19 handlings, six clearances and six inside 50’s. Round five’s
26 possessions, eight inside 50’s and nine clearances were vital in the win against Adelaide,
following it up with 32 disposals, five clearances and a goal in the thumping of Glenelg. Won’t
then be sighted again until round 17, with a 31 touch, six tackles, one goal effort in defeating
Adelaide. Solid tally expected but not enough to win.
Roughie: James Boyd – Perennial umpire’s favorite who should kick off the night in round one
after 26 possessions, four clearances and a goal in the defeat of Central, and should duel with
Petrenko for round two votes after 31 disposals, four inside 50’s and two goals in the win against
West. 31 handlings, three clearances and four rebound 50’s were excellent in the beating of
Glenelg in round five, and a good chance in the return meeting in round ten after 23 touches,
eight clearances and five inside 50’s. 24 possessions, four rebound 50’s and 1.3 were notable in
the round 14 win over North, and 29 disposals, eight clearances and a goal were solid in the
round 17 defeat of Adelaide. Should add another mid-teens tally to his resume.
CK’s TOP FIVE
1. Mitch Grigg (Norwood)
2. Joel Cross (South Adelaide)
3. Nick Holman (Central District)
4. Matthew Snook (Glenelg)
5. Harrison Wigg (Adelaide)
BEST OUTSIDER: James Battersby (Sturt)