Border Mail |
IT'S back! Jake Bourke names the top players to look out for this footy season.
1. Brendan Fevola Yarrawonga
RECLAIMS the No.1 mantle, despite kicking less goals than he did in 2012. Why? The former AFL star averaged more than six goals a game during the finals last year and showed his true worth at the business end of the season. Quite simply, he was the difference in September. Fevola is still yet to be kept goalless in his 33 games for the Pigeons and is undoubtedly the most unstoppable force in the league when on song.
2. CHRIS HYDE Albury
IS he getting better? In the eyes of plenty, the Albury co-coach had his greatest season yet at Tigerland last year. That’s saying something, considering Hyde has been arguably the best player in the league over the past five years. The former Richmond utility has made his name as one of the Ovens and Murray’s premier midfielders, however, showed his worth sweeping across half back and even as a goalkicker last season.
Still one of the best to watch.
3. DREW BARNES Albury
YARRAWONGA’S playing coach went to another level last year. Held in the highest regard down the river, Barnes showed the rest of the football world why with an invaluable performance in last year’s decider.
Footballers make their names in big finals and Barnes did exactly that. Still just about the most versatile player in the league and hard as a cat’s head.
In a word — warrior.
4. JOEL MACKIE Albury
INJURY limited Mackie’s overall output last season but his best was still as good as anyone else’s. The 2012 Morris medallist strikes fear into opposition camps like few others and it’s with good reason. Rarely loses a one-on-one contest and has become a dangerous weapon up forward for the Tigers when resting from his midfield duties.
Plays his 100th game for the Tigers in a couple of weeks.
5. ADAM PRIOR Lavington
IT’S no surprise Lavington pushed so hard to land the star forward. The three-time Doug Strang medallist is one of the very best players in the competition and could well end up being the difference between a premiership or not for the Panthers this year.
The strongest mark overhead in the Ovens and Murray and a beautiful kick for goal, Prior has all the tools you want in a key forward. Expect plenty of bags this season.
6. KAYNE PETTIFER Yarrawonga
THE former Richmond livewire kicked 64 goals last year in a team that almost always kicks it to Brendan Fevola first and asks questions later. Pettifer had to work extremely hard for his goals last season and spent plenty of time further up the ground, too. He made several crucial cameos for the Pigeons and has a level of class only the very best in the league possess. Pettifer is a genuine match-winner.
7. DEAN POLO Albury
IT’S unlikely anybody else in the league had more touches of the footy than Polo did last year and he was a deserved runner-up in the Morris Medal. Whether it’s winning clearances, or mopping up across half-back, Polo has made a habit of being in the right place at the right time for the Tigers. The former Richmond and St Kilda midfielder is one of the most selfless stars in the league and will do whatever he has to for the team.
8. CRAIG EDNIE Yarrawonga
YOU can mount a case that Yarrawonga’s magician is getting better with age. Now a three-time premiership player, the evergreen Ednie took out the Pigeons’ best and fairest award last season after lifting his team on several occasions. Fevola might be the most talented, and Barnes the on-field general, but Ednie is still the man Yarrawonga looks to when a game is on the line. Is very likely to retire as Yarrawonga’s greatest player, if he isn’t already.
9. BRAYDEN O'HARA Albury
SHOULD crack into the top-three by season’s end. Albury’s star recruit is yet to prove himself in the O and M but you’d be a brave man to think he won’t. Coming off a best and fairest at a SANFL heavyweight, O’Hara looks to be a genuine A-Grader and takes Albury’s already fearsome midfield to another level. Excluding the league’s array of former AFL stars, it’s hard to think of a more credentialed player to join the competition in recent years. Should dominate.
10. BRAD MURRAY Myrtleford
ONE of the league’s most respected players and consistent performers. Added a Myrtleford best and fairest to his long list of achievements last season.
Gives the Saints genuine star quality.
