07M.Eagles
Rookie
Shifter's wrap: the stand-outs so far
Tasmania
Mitch Robinson – Robinson has continued the form that saw him win the Hunter Harrison Medal as division two's best-and-fairest in the qualifying series. He has great ball-winning ability (averaging 19 disposals), is a penetrating kick and is evasive to boot. The youngster from Lauderdale has been a shining light for the Mariners.
Jesse Crichton – A 183cm midfielder from North Launceston, Crichton leads the competition in handballs (35 at an average of 12 per match). He possesses pin-point accuracy with his disposals and is a smooth-gatherer.
South Australia
Rhys O'Keeffe – A dashing medium-defender at 187cm, O'Keeffe, from North Adelaide, has also been prominent for his team in all three matches. Averaging 17 disposals, with four hard-ball gets, along with nine handball receives, indicates his ability to win the ball in contested situations, as well as provide great run through defence.
Lewis Johnston – Bottom-aged tall forward, Johnston (192cm), is also from North Adelaide and he shows great promise. He leads the competition in contested marking.
Victoria Country
Steele Sidebottom – Vic Country would be pleased with the output from Sidebottom, which has been supported by Champion Data statistics. He is rated fourth overall in disposals (55 at an average of 18.3) and first for contested possessions (29 at an average of 9.8). He is also ranked third in clearances (15 at an average of five).
Tom Rockliff – A medium forward from the Murray Bushrangers, Rockliff has won a total of 26 contested possessions and 13 hard-ball gets. He has also taken eight contested marks and seven goals, to be third on the goalkicking table, which has been outstanding. He has also laid 12 tackles (ranked fourth overall), showing he is prepared to keep the ball inside the forward 50 for his team.
New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory
Kade Klemke – The medium defender has been among NSW/ACT's most consistent performers. He is ranked fifth in disposals (55 at an average of 18.3) and is second in uncontested marks (17). Klemke has shown an ability to read the play across half-back and judges the ball well when in flight, showing great courage in the air.
Ranga Ediriwickrama – His first two games were outstanding, averaging 25 disposals, before a hamstring injury early against Tasmania set him and his team back. His has won 28 contested possessions from nine quarters, which still ranks him second overall. It demonstrates his courage and his attack on the ball. He is a one-touch player and a great reader of play.
Western Australia
Matt De Boer – A medium-sized midfielder, De Boer has been very good for his team, with his strong attack on the ball and run. This has been supported statistically, with 69 disposals in total (averaging 23 per match) which ranks him No.1. He has also taken 20 (average of 6.9) marks, ranking him first in the competition. De Boer has also 17 inside 50s, which is also number one in the competition.
Nick Naitanui – The ruckman leads the hit-outs with 51 (including 10 to advantage, which is ranked No.2). Naitanui is also ranked second in both clearances (16) and tackles (15) – statistics ruckmen are not usually prominent in. It also reflects his competitiveness and natural speed.
Victoria Metropolitan
Jack Watts – A key position player, Watts has shone up forward, taking 16 marks and booting 11 goals.
Jordan Lisle – The tall defender has taken 13 marks and impressed down back.
Shaun McKernan – He has been prominent in the ruck with 38 hit outs and 16 marks.
David Zaharakis – A medium-midfielder, Zaharakis finds space and uses the ball well, winning 25 effective kicks (ranked fourth) and averaging five inside 50s.
What does everyone else think.....
Tasmania
Mitch Robinson – Robinson has continued the form that saw him win the Hunter Harrison Medal as division two's best-and-fairest in the qualifying series. He has great ball-winning ability (averaging 19 disposals), is a penetrating kick and is evasive to boot. The youngster from Lauderdale has been a shining light for the Mariners.
Jesse Crichton – A 183cm midfielder from North Launceston, Crichton leads the competition in handballs (35 at an average of 12 per match). He possesses pin-point accuracy with his disposals and is a smooth-gatherer.
South Australia
Rhys O'Keeffe – A dashing medium-defender at 187cm, O'Keeffe, from North Adelaide, has also been prominent for his team in all three matches. Averaging 17 disposals, with four hard-ball gets, along with nine handball receives, indicates his ability to win the ball in contested situations, as well as provide great run through defence.
Lewis Johnston – Bottom-aged tall forward, Johnston (192cm), is also from North Adelaide and he shows great promise. He leads the competition in contested marking.
Victoria Country
Steele Sidebottom – Vic Country would be pleased with the output from Sidebottom, which has been supported by Champion Data statistics. He is rated fourth overall in disposals (55 at an average of 18.3) and first for contested possessions (29 at an average of 9.8). He is also ranked third in clearances (15 at an average of five).
Tom Rockliff – A medium forward from the Murray Bushrangers, Rockliff has won a total of 26 contested possessions and 13 hard-ball gets. He has also taken eight contested marks and seven goals, to be third on the goalkicking table, which has been outstanding. He has also laid 12 tackles (ranked fourth overall), showing he is prepared to keep the ball inside the forward 50 for his team.
New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory
Kade Klemke – The medium defender has been among NSW/ACT's most consistent performers. He is ranked fifth in disposals (55 at an average of 18.3) and is second in uncontested marks (17). Klemke has shown an ability to read the play across half-back and judges the ball well when in flight, showing great courage in the air.
Ranga Ediriwickrama – His first two games were outstanding, averaging 25 disposals, before a hamstring injury early against Tasmania set him and his team back. His has won 28 contested possessions from nine quarters, which still ranks him second overall. It demonstrates his courage and his attack on the ball. He is a one-touch player and a great reader of play.
Western Australia
Matt De Boer – A medium-sized midfielder, De Boer has been very good for his team, with his strong attack on the ball and run. This has been supported statistically, with 69 disposals in total (averaging 23 per match) which ranks him No.1. He has also taken 20 (average of 6.9) marks, ranking him first in the competition. De Boer has also 17 inside 50s, which is also number one in the competition.
Nick Naitanui – The ruckman leads the hit-outs with 51 (including 10 to advantage, which is ranked No.2). Naitanui is also ranked second in both clearances (16) and tackles (15) – statistics ruckmen are not usually prominent in. It also reflects his competitiveness and natural speed.
Victoria Metropolitan
Jack Watts – A key position player, Watts has shone up forward, taking 16 marks and booting 11 goals.
Jordan Lisle – The tall defender has taken 13 marks and impressed down back.
Shaun McKernan – He has been prominent in the ruck with 38 hit outs and 16 marks.
David Zaharakis – A medium-midfielder, Zaharakis finds space and uses the ball well, winning 25 effective kicks (ranked fourth) and averaging five inside 50s.
What does everyone else think.....
