Grant Birchall vs Sam Gilbert

[Jaeger]

Both highly skilled running defenders.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Not sure they play the same rolls actually. Birchall being more of a runner, Gilbert more of a true stopping backman....but maybe I'm a little off.

 

[DapperDon]

Not sure they play the same rolls actually. Birchall being more of a runner, Gilbert more of a true stopping backman....but maybe I'm a little off.

Gilbert does both from what i've seen.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Terrific comparison. Both hard running, long kicking 'wingmen' who play as a key rebound option off their teams HBF.

Gilbert better in the air (marking and spoiling), Birchall debatedly better runner, Birchall better kick.

I'd almost lean towards Gilbert, but not sure on their ages. Birchall's been essentially the same player since his debut - is there any more improvement to come? If Gilbert is a similar age, then perhaps his upwards performance trajectory could see him come out on top in the future.

 

[Neville Bartos]

Gilbert is well ahead of the Birch this year (although poor Birch had a bit of an injury), but Birchall has been a star since his debut. Rarely plays a bad game, so I'm gonna stick by the Son of a Birch

 

[Brown n Gold]

Gilbert better in the air...

Birchall better disposal... and a bit more creative..

Birchall for me on consistancy.. played 65 odd games in a row after debut until the broken thumb in rnd 3 this year.

 

[LemmingMaster]

This is actually one of the better Polls, but I think you would stuggle to find a clear winner.

Birchall is one of my favourite Hawks players, but I think Gilbert may just take the chocolates this year. Based on this year, I've selected Gilbert.

As most people have stated, I think Gilbert is a heap strong in the air but Birchall is a better kick. They would almost provide the perfect combination of players, if you could have them in the same team.

 

[tim_saints]

gilberts stil a young footballer not sayin birchalls old but if sammy gilbert is playing lets face it atm he is in all australian form but no gurantee he wil make it, but when he is 22 (I think) playing the footy he is now in 2 or 3 more years he wil b a star

gilbert for me but birchall stil a very good player

 

[half_back_flank]

Great poll, both extremely talented players, both pretty damn even in my book, yet Gilbert gets the nod due to his age.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

??

Birchall is two years younger though?

 

[celtic_pride]

Gilbert for mine ...

Birchall is still a very handy player though who would be much welcome at carlton.

 

[jiphoc]

gilberts stil a young footballer not sayin birchalls oldbut if sammy gilbert is playing lets face it atm he is in all australian form but no gurantee he wil make it, but when he is 22 (I think) playing the footy he is now in 2 or 3 more years he wil b a star

gilbert for me but birchall stil a very good player

Neither are we. He is only 20 years old. Also remember Birch broke his thumb earlier this year. So comparing them only on this year is a bit unfair. I wouldn't say Gilbert is AA yet. Maybe if he keeps this up he might come into contention.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

jiphoc, I argued for Birchall to be in AA consideration in 08, so it's only fair that Gilbert's 09 is in the same consideration.

The fact that Gilbert is OLDER seems to have been lost on a couple of posters. The fact Birchall's been a composed AFL player from day 1 makes him seem older than he really is.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think there's more scope for improvement left in Birchall, not only because he's younger but because he has the potential to move into midfield/midfield-rotations in the future. I don't think Gilbert shares the same potential.

I also think both Gilbert and Birchall could hold/pinch hit in key defensive posts (in the future) too.

Birchall's disposal ranks amongst the best in the league.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Mackie could be included in this poll too.

All three are similar players - with Mackie and Gilbert leaning more towards either expreme (running defender and key defender), whilst Birchall is a mix of the two.

 

[HighettBomber]

Birchall by a very long way. Gilbert has been good this year, but Birchall has been very good since his debut and also performed in the finals last year. Gilbert has a long way to go to match this.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Gilbert was great for us in 07 I believe. Had a bit of a down year last year, but has proven himself again this season.

Birchall's a gun though, he's in my SC team ahead of Sammy.

But Sammy will be a great player for us. He already is haha.