Preview Eddie Betts a chance for All Australian

[Sin City]

Eddie's last three weeks he's kicked 14 goals and has propelled himself into All Australian contention and is now leading Carlton's goal kicking for the season. There are usually only 2-3 spots for small/medium forwards and they generally have to share them with players who split time between the midfield and the forward line as well but even still if Eddie can maintain his current form he's going to be a chance. I've done a review of the last few years selections to see how he compares.

2005

B. Johnson 42 goals (1.9 average), 468 disposals (21.3), 42 tackles (1.9), 149 marks(6.8)
S. Grant 39 goals (1.7), 431 disposals (18.8), 29 tackles (1.3), 122 marks (23)

2006

B. Johnson 74 goals (3.1) 467 disposals (19.5), 30 tackles (1.4), 174 marks (7.3)
A. Didak 41 goals (1.8) 396 disposals (17.2) 46 tackles (2), 136 marks (5.9)
R.O'Keefe 32 goals (1.3), 475 disposals (19), 64 tackles (2.6), 178 marks (7.1)

2007

B. Johnson 59 goals (2.8) 406 disposals (19.3), 37 tackles (1.8) 165 marks (7.9)
S. Johnson 49 goals (2.5), 372 disposals (18.6), 44 tackles (2.2), 144 marks (7.2)

2008

S. Johnson 53 goals (2.7), 407 disposals (20.4), 65 tackles (3.3), 147 marks (7.4)
P. Medhurst 50 goals (2.1), 376 disposals (15.7), 53 tackles (2.2), 179 marks (7.5)

2009

L. Davis 35 goals (1.5), 471 disposals (20.5), 96 tackles (4.2), 109 marks (4.7)
P. Chapman 37 goals (1.9), 536 disposals (26.8), 53 tackles (2.7), 130 marks (6.5)

Now for Betts and other players in contention in 2010. (Didn't include Chapman this year as he's playing almost entirely as a midfielder). There are quite a few players pushing for selection and only a few spots available.

E. Betts 33 goals (2.4), 215 disposals (15.4), 51 tackles (3.6), 68 marks (4.9)
S. Milne 32 goals (2.5), 208 disposals (15.7), 22 tackles (1.7), 61 marks (4.7)
S. Johnson 36 goals (2.7), 234 disposals (18), 31 tackles (2.4), 78 marks (6)
A. Didak 21 goals (1.8), 283 disposals (23.6), 39 tackles (3.3), 41 marks (3.4)
M. LeCras 31 goals (2.6), 153 disposals (12.8), 22 tackles (1.8) 55 marks (4.6)
B. Green 29 goals (2.2), 258 disposals (19.9), 39 tackles (3), 93 marks (7.2)

Ahead of Milne in tackles and marks, very close goals and disposals. Ahead of Johnson in tackles, close in goals. Ahead of Didak in goals, tackles and marks. Ahead of LeCras in tackles, disposals and marks, very close in goals. Ahead of Green in goals and tackles. Obviously a few of them well ahead in disposals so what Eddie needs lots of is goals and tackles. If they were to play every game for the rest of the season (Didak and LeCras have already missed a game) their totals on current averages would be this.

E. Betts 52 goals, 338 disposals, 79 tackles, 107 marks
S. Milne 55 goals, 345 disposals, 37 tackles, 103 marks
S. Johnson 59 goals, 396 disposals, 52 tackles, 132 marks (Johnson has a few weeks suspension so this won't happen)
A. Didak 37 goals, 495 disposals, 69 tackles, 71 marks
M. LeCras 54 goals, 268 disposals, 37 tackles, 96 marks
B. Green 48 goals, 437 disposals, 66 tackles, 158 marks

If everyone remained on current averages he wouldn't demand a spot but there are a few things that will work in his favour. Johnson will miss a few weeks suspended, Milne will probably get a bit less opportunity to score once Riewoldt comes back and Green will probably spend less time deep forward as Watts and Jurrah get more game time. If Eddie keeps similar averages he probably won't make it but if he can continue the unreal form of the last three weeks or close to it and get up around 60 goals to go with his tackling inside 50 and goal assists he may well get a spot.

 

[true blue19]

the only competition is from rioli and milne

 

[blues4flag]

the only competition is from rioli and milne

Rioli is no competition at all. What's he done this season to put him up there with the other two?

Exciting player sure but 15.9 touches and 1.4 goals a game puts him way behind the other two.

 

[Hollow Knight]

the only competition is from rioli and milne

Ugh, god. Could you imagine Milne up on the podium as an All-Australian.

 

[parrot]

He'd be in it if this award was based entirely on merit, but the fact is, it's not. It's a very political award with a recent history of some breathtakingly stupid decisions (e.g. Hackwell). This award has a lot of work to do to regain any credibility. Right now it's not too much ahead of a HUN poll.

 

[Buzz/Sticks/bryce]

definitely a big show. Bingles won't agree though- http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=716160&highlight=all+australian

 

[Chism]

If Eddie keeps up this form and can average say 2-3 goals a game and get the odd bag of 5 like last night he will be a MASSIVE chance to earn a spot. Eddie seems to be underrated by most in the footy world (except Matty Lloyd!) and does not get much credit when he does well from opposition supporters.

 

[Alpha1]

He has had a big year and a great month or so, AA form, if he kicked straight he would have at least 7 more goals.

 

[CrippsonBlue]

As I think Ratten said, he has been in this position before - it doesn't really matter who is a possible chance mid year, only which players prove they can go the distance and maintain their form.

It'd be great if he can maintain his current form, and if he did he would probably be stiff to miss.

I think the goals will dry up though, and although I think he will still have a good output, he will be overlooked due to this.

Like Betts, we have a few players capable of having patches of kicking small bags, but with such an even spread of goal kickers, these same player could easily have a quite month goal wise (as has been the case so far)

Betts has been the better of the small forwards of late, but I'm expecting Garlett, and Yarran especially to have a few big games before years end.

Having said that, great OP Sin - nice effort there, and interesting to compare.

 

[DamianBis]

those stats show that if your name is johnson you're more likely to get AA in the forward line

 

[blues4flag]

As I think Ratten said, he has been in this position before - it doesn't really matter who is a possible chance mid year, only which players prove they can go the distance and maintain their form.

It'd be great if he can maintain his current form, and if he did he would probably be stiff to miss.

Agree to an extent but he's almost a certainty to smash his previous best effort of 38 goals. 33 goals with 8 games + finals remaining...50 is out of the question which will be a remarkable achievement.

 

[harmesy 37]

Milne would definitely get one spot I would think as he has carried St Kilda- along with Schneider- in the forward line since Riewoldt has been injured.



The other spot would be between Betts and Le Cras.



Le Cras was VERY unlucky not to get it last year, so perhaps they give it to him this year as compensation for messing up their selection last year?



Unless Eddie can get some distance between him and Le Cras in goals and goal assists I guess they will be tempted to give it to Le Cras.

 

[HARKER]

If they were to play every game for the rest of the season (Didak and LeCras have already missed a game) their totals on current averages would be this.

E. Betts 52 goals, 338 disposals, 79 tackles, 107 marks
S. Milne 55 goals, 345 disposals, 37 tackles, 103 marks
S. Johnson 59 goals, 396 disposals, 52 tackles, 132 marks (Johnson has a few weeks suspension so this won't happen)
A. Didak 37 goals, 495 disposals, 69 tackles, 71 marks
M. LeCras 54 goals, 268 disposals, 37 tackles, 96 marks
B. Green 48 goals, 437 disposals, 66 tackles, 158 marks

If everyone remained on current averages he wouldn't demand a spot but there are a few things that will work in his favour. Johnson will miss a few weeks suspended, Milne will probably get a bit less opportunity to score once Riewoldt comes back and Green will probably spend less time deep forward as Watts and Jurrah get more game time. If Eddie keeps similar averages he probably won't make it but if he can continue the unreal form of the last three weeks or close to it and get up around 60 goals to go with his tackling inside 50 and goal assists he may well get a spot.

Some serious input from you here, Sin
I just hope you're good with Excel to make a life a little easier for you when stretching out stats

Betts has also taken on the older brother mantle for Garlett and Yarran.
I just love seeing the those three lads celebrate together after a goal and would be most disappointed for any consideration given, to Betts heading North next year.
Must not happen.

 

[cfc4life]

If Milne or Rioli get the nod over Betts or LeCras then we know the selection process is bias towards the better sides

 

[Sin City]

Betts in All-Australian form: Ratten

CARLTON coach Brett Ratten believes small forward Eddie Betts is in All-Australian form after his five-goal haul helped the Blues overpower the Brisbane Lions by 55 points at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.

While Ratten said he was pleased with the even spread of contributions from all players in the win, he said he thought Betts was clearly the side's best player in the win.

Betts in All-Australian form: Ratten

 

[as0l0]

it's difficult to express how little this matters unless it leads to us winning more premierships.