Players who have actually got better in their early 30s

Shadow89

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Boak and Hawkins have had the best seasons of their lives, so definitely can happen
 

Shadow89

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Surprised David Mundy hasn't been mentioned yet, he's arguably been playing some of his best footy the last few years. He's the best veteran in the comp still going.

Ablett probably pips him I reckon, given he made the AA squad last year and was stiff to not make the 22. Mundy is still a hell of a player though. Like a fine wine, and reliable as ever
 

Ron The Bear

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First b&f after 30

PlayerClubYearAge
Harbrow, JarrodG.C.201830y38d
Westhoff, JustinP.A.201831y327d
Scotland, HeathCarl201232y43d
Richardson, MatthewRich200732y166d
Lade, BrendonP.A.200630y54d
McKay, AndrewCarl200333y48d
Wanganeen, GavinP.A.200330y94d
Salmon, PaulHaw199631y231d
Mickan, MarkAdel199130y214d
Foster, PeterW.B.199030y91d
Clayton, ScottFitz199030y292d
Alexander, RonFitz198130y276d
Fletcher, KenEss197830y224d
Jesaulenko, AlexCarl197530y42d
Rantall, JohnN.M.197430y293d
Dugdale, JohnN.M.196832y176d
Mann, NeilColl195430y2d
Grieve, OllieCarl195231y312d
McCorkell, JockN.M.195234y59d
Chanter, VicFitz195130y218d
Lock, WallyMelb194730y220d
Kyne, PhonseColl194630y334d
Mahon, GeoffGeel194631y129d
Torney, HughEss194030y312d
Adamson, JimN.M.194035y30d
Gill, FrankCarl193930y266d
Coventry, GordonColl193331y342d
Carman, SydEss193230y263d
Utting, ErnHaw192931y304d
Russ, BillW.B.192930y56d
Beckton, NormEss192830y120d
Maher, FrankEss192731y353d
Jenkin, HorrieFitz192633y209d
McCarter, BillyGeel192132y336d
Young, HenryGeel190532y114d
Rankin, TeddyGeel190331y178d
 

Ron The Bear

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Brownlow votes per game before and after 30, minimum 50 games each

This is necessarily a bit rough. Votes before 1931 x 3.6, votes 1976-77 x 0.5

Figures grouped by whole seasons as no individual game voting available before 1984, as follows:
EG = eligible games for Brownlow - no finals, carnival rounds
<30 = includes seasons where age at last eligible game for season <30
30+ = includes seasons where age at last eligible game for season 30+

PlayerClubsCareerEG <30Vts <30Avg <30EG 30+Vts 30+Avg 30+Diff
Higgins, ShaunWB,NM2006-202017234
0.20​
5433
0.61​
+0.41
Viney, ToddMe1987-199914619
0.13​
7036
0.51​
+0.38
Franklin, LanceHa,Sy2005-2019226129
0.57​
5041
0.82​
+0.25
Waite, JarradCa,NM2003-201815320
0.13​
8532
0.38​
+0.25
West, ScottWB1993-2008244124
0.51​
6851
0.75​
+0.24
Cox, DeanWC2001-201419138
0.20​
8333
0.40​
+0.20
Johnson, SteveGe,GWS2002-201717762
0.35​
9049
0.54​
+0.19
Round, BarryWB,Sy1969-198520652
0.25​
11350
0.44​
+0.19
Crisp, MickeyCa1931-194110723
0.21​
6024
0.40​
+0.19
Salmon, PaulEs,Ha,Es1983-200218553
0.29​
12156
0.46​
+0.18
Simpson, AdamNM1995-200920642
0.20​
7930
0.38​
+0.18
Cloke, DavidRi,Co,Ri1974-199120466
0.32​
11155
0.50​
+0.17
O'Keefe, RyanSy2000-201419348
0.25​
6929
0.42​
+0.17
Stevens, AnthonyNM1989-200420036
0.18​
7426
0.35​
+0.17
Johnson, BradWB1994-201024443
0.18​
9934
0.34​
+0.17
Dugdale, JohnNM1955-197015911
0.07​
7217
0.24​
+0.17
Priddis, MattWC2006-2017166101
0.61​
6248
0.77​
+0.17
Bradley, CraigCa1986-200216955
0.33​
18289
0.49​
+0.16
Edwards, TysonAd1995-201020541
0.20​
9434
0.36​
+0.16
Bolger, MartinRi1930-1939989
0.09​
6416
0.25​
+0.16
Hayes, LennySt1999-201420384
0.41​
7945
0.57​
+0.16
Hampshire, IanGe,WB1968-198213519.5
0.14​
8124
0.30​
+0.15
Langford, ChrisHa1983-199719518
0.09​
8320
0.24​
+0.15
Bence, RoySy,St1922-1933860
0.00​
548
0.15​
+0.15
Enright, CoreyGe2001-201620413
0.06​
10421
0.20​
+0.14
Nankervis, Ian J.Ge1967-198319331.5
0.16​
11534
0.30​
+0.13
Kirk, BrettSy1999-201013542
0.31​
8839
0.44​
+0.13
Jones, PeterCa1966-197916431.5
0.19​
5417.5
0.32​
+0.13
Hird, JamesEs1992-200715275
0.49​
8150
0.62​
+0.12
Hart, DavidWC1987-19971016
0.06​
6612
0.18​
+0.12
Goodwin, SimonAd1997-201017545
0.26​
7729
0.38​
+0.12
Hickey, RegGe1926-194016066.6
0.42​
6635
0.53​
+0.11
Richardson, MatthewRi1993-200919189
0.47​
8851
0.58​
+0.11
McKay, AndrewCa1993-200314022
0.16​
8523
0.27​
+0.11
Gibson, JoshNM,Ha2006-201713413
0.10​
6814
0.21​
+0.11
Roberts, MarkSy,Br,NM1985-19991193
0.03​
699
0.13​
+0.11
Ablett senior, GaryHa,Ge1982-199614155
0.39​
9145
0.49​
+0.10
Hawkins, TomGe2007-202019227
0.14​
5914
0.24​
+0.10
McDonald, James I.Me,GWS1997-20121689
0.05​
8713
0.15​
+0.10
Bolton, JudeSy1999-201321759
0.27​
8230
0.37​
+0.09
Mundy, DavidFr2005-202019851
0.26​
12042
0.35​
+0.09
Foster, PeterFi,WB1980-199310326
0.25​
6422
0.34​
+0.09
Kyne, PhonseCo1934-195012517
0.14​
7517
0.23​
+0.09
Cordner, DenisMe1943-19568455
0.65​
5138
0.75​
+0.09
Duperouzel, BruceSt,WB1974-1984849.5
0.11​
7615
0.20​
+0.08
Everitt, PeterSt,Ha,Sy1993-200819133
0.17​
9424
0.26​
+0.08
Jones, WarrenCa,St1978-1988664
0.06​
507
0.14​
+0.08
Lade, BrendonPA1997-200913829
0.21​
8324
0.29​
+0.08
Bentley, PercyRi1925-194017011.2
0.07​
649
0.14​
+0.07
Williams, GregGe,Sy,Ca1984-1997173108
0.62​
6646
0.70​
+0.07
Montgomery, BrettWB,PA,WB1997-200711912
0.10​
6411
0.17​
+0.07
Woods, TonyFi,Co,Ha1989-20021121
0.01​
544
0.07​
+0.07
Couch, PaulGe1985-199717368
0.39​
6831
0.46​
+0.06
Hurn, ShannonWC2006-202021020
0.10​
579
0.16​
+0.06
Richards, TedEs,Sy2002-20161674
0.02​
726
0.08​
+0.06
Shaw, TonyCo1978-199420440
0.20​
8722
0.25​
+0.06
Martin, StefanMe,Br2008-202011411
0.10​
7211
0.15​
+0.06
Carter, RodFi,Sy1974-19901753
0.02​
1108
0.07​
+0.06
Adamson, JimNM1929-1941689.6
0.14​
10821
0.19​
+0.05
Beckton, NormEs1921-19306610.8
0.16​
5010.8
0.22​
+0.05
Dempster, SeanSy,St2005-20161462
0.01​
624
0.06​
+0.05
Doughty, MichaelAd2000-20121333
0.02​
846
0.07​
+0.05
Gale, BrendonRi1990-200116021
0.13​
7814
0.18​
+0.05
Cornes, KanePA2001-201523149
0.21​
5013
0.26​
+0.05
McCorkell, JockNM1940-1953584
0.07​
8610
0.12​
+0.05
Scotland, HeathCo,Ca1999-201416937
0.22​
8723
0.26​
+0.05
Coventry, GordonCo1920-193713321
0.16​
9519
0.20​
+0.04
Mitchell, SamHa,WC2002-2017209154
0.74​
9473
0.78​
+0.04
Bartlett, KevinRi1965-198322078
0.35​
14958.5
0.39​
+0.04
Glass, DarrenWC2000-20141857
0.04​
695
0.07​
+0.03
Westhoff, JustinPA2007-202019519
0.10​
7610
0.13​
+0.03
Quinlan, BernieWB,Fi1969-198622674.5
0.33​
12445
0.36​
+0.03
Lockett, TonySt,Sy1983-200219992
0.46​
7336
0.49​
+0.03
Dunkley, AndrewSy1992-200211713
0.11​
9213
0.14​
+0.03
Hutchison, BillEs1942-1957119102
0.86​
7970
0.89​
+0.03
Wanganeen, GavinEs,PA1991-200621684
0.39​
6025
0.42​
+0.03
Silvagni, SergioCa1958-197114733
0.22​
6416
0.25​
+0.03
Hudson, BenAd,WB,Br,Co2004-2013740
0.00​
842
0.02​
+0.02
Milne, StephenSt2001-201317724
0.14​
8213
0.16​
+0.02
Betts, EddieCa,Ad,Ca2005-202024331
0.13​
7511
0.15​
+0.02
Doull, BruceCa1969-198620952
0.25​
11230
0.27​
+0.02
Wakelin, ShaneSt,Co1994-20081722
0.01​
682
0.03​
+0.02
Williams, PaulCo,Sy1991-200622968
0.30​
6721
0.31​
+0.02
Grundy, HeathSy2006-20191753
0.02​
622
0.03​
+0.02
Schimmelbusch, WayneNM1973-198720247
0.23​
6917
0.25​
+0.01
Brogan, DeanPA,GWS2001-201311011
0.10​
718
0.11​
+0.01
Breen, BarrySt1965-198220230
0.15​
7512
0.16​
+0.01
Cresswell, DarynSy1992-200317846
0.26​
5615
0.27​
+0.01
Olliver, ArthurWB1935-195012137
0.31​
6721
0.31​
+0.01
Titus, JackRi1926-194316435
0.21​
6815
0.22​
+0.01
Scott, Don W.Ha1967-198120117.5
0.09​
767
0.09​
+0.01

* started career in one vote per game era
 
Last edited:
May 5, 2016
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Has Hawkins really improved that much or is there just a lack of strong experienced key forwards elsewhere to compare him to? Not shitting on Hawkins btw, he's always been a thorn in our side when Reg Grundy hasn't been there to play on him, but a few years ago he was still competing with the likes of peak Franklin, Kennedy, and Walker. Then you still had the likes of Nick Riewoldt around still producing quality.
fair points, what he’s been doing lately goal wise he’s been doing for basically a decade.

i think the rest of his game has become incrementally better though
 
Ablett probably pips him I reckon, given he made the AA squad last year and was stiff to not make the 22. Mundy is still a hell of a player though. Like a fine wine, and reliable as ever
I wouldnt say Ablett Jr is better in his 30s than in his 20s though. His 2007-13 seasons were phenomenal. He was 23-29 in those seasons
 
Has Hawkins really improved that much or is there just a lack of strong experienced key forwards elsewhere to compare him to? Not shitting on Hawkins btw, he's always been a thorn in our side when Reg Grundy hasn't been there to play on him, but a few years ago he was still competing with the likes of peak Franklin, Kennedy, and Walker. Then you still had the likes of Nick Riewoldt around still producing quality.
Hawkins kicking has improved immensely
 

Coaster2012

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Fighters begin to peak in their 30s. It's really when the body is peaking with physical strength but endurance starts to dip too. Hence why I think full forwards and defenders can really find their peak in their 30s but mids not so much. I.e Hawkins, Hurn.
 

RichLeMonde

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Fighters begin to peak in their 30s. It's really when the body is peaking with physical strength but endurance starts to dip too.
I think it’s quite variable - it’s reaction times that start to dip at 30, and even tiny changes in that can make a huge difference to a fighter. Depends on how much damage they’ve taken too. Quite a few guys’ chins are shot by their mid 30s
 
Aug 14, 2011
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Didn't Kevin Murray win the Brownlow at 31?

I'd argue Shaun Burgoyne has had more impact as a player in his 30s but don't know if that necessarily makes him better,

Kevin Murray had a couple of seasons in WA coaching East Perth before returning to the VFL & picking up a Brownlow ...
..... inspirational leader who skippered Fitzroy for eight seasons, captain-coached them in 1963 and 1964, and captain-coached East Perth in 1965 and 1966. Twice an All Australian (once with the VFL, once with Western Australia), Murray was a veritable stalwart of the interstate scene donning the Big V jumper 24 times and representing Western Australia on six occasions.

.... 448 senior games over more than two decades. In 2002 he was placed on a half back flank and selected as captain in Fitzroy's official 'Team of the Century'. Four years later East Perth selected him as a ruck-rover in the club's official 'Team of the Century 1945 to 2005'.
 
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Last edited:
Sep 17, 2014
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Brad Johnson’s best years were when he was 30-31.
 

t_94

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Shaun Higgins? Or was that more late twenties?
 
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