All Australian: completed
Brownlow: completed
Syd Barker: completed
so now we analyze.
All Australian.
Who made the squad (selection of 40) - Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Drew Petrie, Daniel Wells.
... And then the side (selection of 22) - Drew Petrie.
For the first time in a few years, the individual efforts of North players were noticed, with North Melbourne making up 1/10 of the AA squad. Geelong, Collingwood and WCE were the only sides to have more AA nominees than North, along with Hawthorn and Carlton having equal. These sides made up the top 5 at season's end.
Daniel Wells had the best season of his career, keeping (pretty much) injury free, with his real potential unleashed for the first time at the fullest. Receiving large amounts of criticism in the past, for his on field 'laziness', his 2011 form was extremely rewarding for North supporters and all involved with the club, and his transformation was rewarded with an AA nomination.
Andrew Swallow took a step up in 2011, becoming one of the most improved midfielders in the comp, and everyone noticed. 6th best in the league for clearances, Swallow became an extremely influential all around the ground, and rose to become an elite midfielder. A constantly talked-about North midfielder, Swallow's week-to-week efforts were a strong talking point of the AFL world, especially when the club was on top.
For the first time in his career, Todd Goldstein was to tackle the ruck on his own, and became one of the best big men in the comp. Filling in for the injured Hamish McIntosh, Todd's hitout efforts and incredible fitness made him a worry for opposition sides. His outstanding 741 hitouts in was the 2nd best in VFL/AFL history, and he managed to carry North's ruck load alone, and did an amazing job. For Goldstein, his 'breakout' season was one that captured the attention of praise from within and outside the club, and is set to improve once again in 2012.
Sidelined for almost the entire 2010 season due to injury, Drew Petrie returned to the side in 2011, and proved how important he is for North Melbourne. One of the best contested marks in the AFL, Drew monstered almost all of his opponents, and was one of the harder players to be matched up on. His marking capeablities were enormous, marking anything from overhead, side of his body, out in front, one handers, and his famous speckies. His goal kicking was remarkable, too, consistantly kicking big bags infront of goals. Drew's amazing comeback season was rewarded as he was selected on the bench of the All Australian side. His dominant return to the side in 2011 clearly displayed how much he was truely missed, and just how important he really is.
The Brownlow.
The NM votes went as follows:
16 Andrew Swallow
11 Drew Petrie
8 Brent Harvey
6 Todd Goldstein
6 Brady Rawlings
5 Daniel Wells
4 Jack Ziebell
4 Leigh Adams
2 Ryan Bastinac
1 Aaron Edwards
1 Levi Greenwood
1 Scott Thompson
1 Matt Campbell
TOTAL 66
3 Votes: Boomer (RND 6), Todd (RND 8), Swallow (RND 11), Wellsy (RND 12), Rawlings (RND 13), Drewy (RND 14), Jack (RND 17), Drewy (RND 18), Swallow (RND 22), Boomer (RND 24)
Andrew Swallow taking out 16 as the highest for North seemed about right, as he was clearly a standout player for North during 2011 in the midfield. At one stage during the night, Swallow was sitting in 4th place for the overall leader board. Drew Petrie following him with 11 votes, also seemed logical, as the week before he was selected in the All Australian side. Daniel Wells was a player highly rated going into the brownlow, considered an 'outsiders chance', and tracked by the Herald Sun (those expected to poll well, like Swan, Judd etc were 'tracked') , therefore only finishing with 5 votes for the evening was considered both a shock and dissapointment. Same situation for Todd Goldstein, whos breakout season was rated extremely highly. Most of the focus was on the North midfielders and #1 forward target, Drew Petrie. The big ruckman seemed to be forgotten about, and it was a little dissapointing that his efforts weren't taken more notice of.
With his 8 brownlow votes, captain Boomer Harvey moved into the top 20 for all time career brownlow votes. His achievements are ones to be admired and respected by all.
Syd Barker Medal.
Top 10
1st: Wells & Swallow - 46
3rd: Petrie - 36 (countback system)
4th: Harvey - 36
5th: Adams - 35
6th: Ziebell - 30
7th: Goldstein - 29
8th: Rawlings - 26 (countback system)
9th: Edwards - 26
10th: Thompson - 25
Both Wells and Swallow had outstanding seasons, so it was amazing to see them both rewarded in the joint Syd Barker. After round 23, Wells was sitting just 1 vote infront of Swallow, and having missed round 24, with more than the 1 vote in the final round, Swallow would have taken his 2nd Syd Barker in 3 years. Receving just 1 vote in round 24, Swallow finished level with Wells, leaving North supporters incredibly pleased with the result.
Both Drew and Boomer backed up their brownlow success, taking out 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Leigh Adams rounded out the top 5, after an impressive season, using his opportunities the very best he could. In his first full season of AFL, Jack Ziebell impressed (especially in the second half of the season) and was a great contributor in the midfield. Ruckman Todd Golstein was a suprise coming in 7th, with many rating him at a higher placed finished, while veteran Brady Rawlings finished just behind him. The re-invention of Aaron Edwards was just incredible to watch in 2011, and his hard work to regain form paid off slotting into 9th, and backman Scott Thompson rounded off the top 10, after a solid season in the backline.
Other awards included:
Andrew Swallow for Player of the Year. (had to be him, Drew or Todd.. surely)
Jack Ziebell for Northeners Award. (beyond proud... and yes, dad and I voted for him!)
Cam Pedersen for Best 1st year player (what an inspiring story and outstanding season)
Jamie MacMillan for Community Award (him and the homeless story - superb)
Drew Petrie for Most Couragous Player (he's taken that many hangers it's hard to go past him)
Brady Rawlings for Best Clubman (always been about the team, as shown when he retired this season. Incredible and selfless person, and a shame he won't be on the field next season)
Are you happy with how all the results ended up on the 3 big award nights? Have your say, now! Email into nmopinion@hotmail.com , CLICK HERE to 'like' us on facebook, or tweet your say to @NMOpinion
Three other quick stories for you all:
- For those who aren't aware, backman Daniel Pratt will no longer be playing for North Melbourne as of season 2012. The decision has been made to force him seek a new home elsewhere, otherwise he will be delisted from the club list. Pratt finishes up at North after 119 matches.
- Ex-Roo Leigh Brown has been recruited as the Melbourne FC's new forward coach. Newly appointed senior coach Mark Neeld has spent time with Browny at Collingwood, and must rate him highly.
-Other Ex-Roo Daniel Harris will be playing for Airport West, a local club in the EDFL (Essendon District Football League Club). Returning to Melbourne for good since 2010, Harro is set to dominate the B grade, after staring for the Suns VFL side in 2011.
Good luck to all 3 in the next stage of their football careers!
Marnie.
