Clayton Oliver vs Christian Petracca - who is the better player?

[King Kunta]

So, there’s two parts to this question:

Firstly, who is the better player right now and why?

And second, who do you think will be considered the better of the two players once their careers have ended?


Clayton Oliver

Games: 124

Goals: 40

Accolades:

• 2 x All Australian (2018, 2021)
• 2021 AFLCA MVP
• 2 x Club Best and Fairest (2017, 2019)
• 2021 Premiership player (I know this is largely irrelevant in this discussion, but I couldn’t help myself)
• 3rd in 2021 Brownlow Medal (85 career votes)

2021 statistics (averages):

• 31.6 disposals
• 17.4 contested possessions
• 14.3 kicks
• 7.4 clearances
• 421.7 metres gained
• 7.2 score involvements
• 0.4 goals

Christian Petracca

Games: 127

Goals: 123

Accolades:

• 2 x All Australian (2020, 2021)
• 2021 Norm Smith Medal
• 2020 Club Best and Fairest
• 2021 Premiership player
• 3rd in 2020 Brownlow Medal (48 career votes)

2021 statistics (averages):

• 29.2 disposals
• 14.0 contested possessions
• 16.4 kicks
• 6.3 clearances
• 538.8 metres gained
• 8.3 score involvements
• 1.2 goals

Clearly they’re both unbelievable midfielders with differing strengths and skillsets and I expect there’ll be some compelling cases made for each player. Ultimately, the best part of this exercise is knowing that we’re lucky enough to have both playing for our club.

 

[00Stinger]

 

[Demondad]

Who’s your favourite child?

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Depends what you value more, match winning ability or consistency

 

[rhaz]

Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
If Petracca don't get you
Oliver must

 

[Topkent]

Oliver's become better than I thought, but let's be honest he ain't gonna dribble them from the boundary and slam them home from 55 off one step.
Tracs gonna rest forward and kick 6-7 one day soon aswell. Oliver's a star, Trac can be whatever he wants

 

[Scythe94]

If I'm picking a player to get my team to the finals, Oliver.

If I'm picking a player to win my team a final, Petracca.

Premierships require both.

 

[markm106]

I’ve gone Petracca. His best is better and he can do a lot more in terms of impacting the scoreboard. But in saying that Oliver could easily have more best and fairest awards in the end. Lucky to have both.

 

[demondavey]

As long as they both play for Melbourne, I don’t mind. Scythe94 summed it up. They are both different but equally as important.

Better in terms of ability as a footballer is Petracca, but in terms of consistent performance and absolute midfield grunt work then I think Oliver.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Before Saturday, Oliver. After Saturday, Petracca.

 

[Toff]

Clayton Oliver

13

Clayton Oliver

Age

26

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.8

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

18.4

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

6.3

5star

CL

6.3

5star

D

25.1

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

14.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

19.2

5star

K

4.6

2star

HB

14.6

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.4

5star

CL

3.8

5star

has been better and more consistent since game 1
Petracca does things not many can ever do, he is still climbing his hill of potential
My pick is Oliver, just!

 

[schmuttt]

Luke Jackson

9

Luke Jackson

Age

22

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.3

2star

K

3.3

1star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

0.3

3star

D

8.3

2star

K

3.3

1star

HB

5.0

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

0.3

3star

D

8.3

3star

K

3.3

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

0.3

3star

 

[Simon_Says]

there no wrong answer
Its chalk and cheese
Sweet and Savoury

Clayton to Rip in out of the midfield at the coal face to give to Track to finish in front of Goal

Like picking your favourite child haha

 

[netslave]

Petracca in the long run, if he can tidy up his goal kicking, he could be the best player in the competition.
Oliver is a fantastic player right now but I worry about his shoulders long term.

 

[LeverPuller]

Petracca in the long run, if he can tidy up his goal kicking, he could be the best player in the competition.
Oliver is a fantastic player right now but I worry about his shoulders long term.

Trac just had 39 and 2 in a Grand Final to win the Norm Smith against the only other contender for best in the comp.

There’s no argument for mine right now. He’s the man.

But * I love that angry ugly ranga

 

[slackboy72]

Petracca's goal kicking edges it but we are truly blessed to see these two playing together in a team that is firing on all cylinders.

 

[King Kunta]

I’ve gone Petracca. His best is better and he can do a lot more in terms of impacting the scoreboard. But in saying that Oliver could easily have more best and fairest awards in the end. Lucky to have both.

Agree on both points. Petracca's best football is the best in competition - perhaps rivalled only by Dustin Martin in peak form.

I can see Oliver finishing with more individual accolades due to sheer consistency. He just doesn't play quiet games. Every chance he adds another BnF this year (though I do think it'll be a close count).

With the confidence they'll take from Saturday night, I can see them both going to another level and becoming the clear two best players in the competition in 2022.

 

[jhong]

They compliment each other . Like asking to pick favourite son or daughter . Nope

 

[TheBoss]

Oliver for me. A bit more consistent. Has really started to use his pace and kicking to take the game on this year. Also more team oriented than he has been for previous years.

 

[Andy_Mac]

I refuse to vote. Just like when my kids ask who we love most...

They are both best in the league at what they do. And their mate Max is potentially the GOAT ruckman.

 

[danster168]

Oliver is the more consistent and a better clearance player so I'd go him.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

North Smith or BnF in a Flag year?

Reckon Clarry brings home the BnF by a decent margin, so that's the discussion.

I can't pick.

 

[Farm Boy]

Oliver is more consistent. One of the best pure clearance players I’ve ever seen.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[King Kunta]

North Smith or BnF in a Flag year?

Reckon Clarry brings home the BnF by a decent margin, so that's the discussion.

I can't pick.

I can't wait to see how the BnF plays out. I think internally, the consistent dominance of our defence is highly valued and that could see someone like Lever poll really, really well. Still probably tipping Oliver but won't be surprised if it's close.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I can't wait to see how the BnF plays out. I think internally, the consistent dominance of our defence is highly valued and that could see someone like Lever poll really, really well. Still probably tipping Oliver but won't be surprised if it's close.

Reckon Lever, May will be top 5/6 for sure - Brayshaw sneaky top 5.