We continue our MVP Awards, with voting a little different to your generic 3, 2, 1 structure.
We will judge the best players in the game across the entire round relative to their position. Every ruckman in the game will compete against each other for the 3,2 1, as will the forwards, midfielders and defenders.
This way, everyone gets their chance to poll votes and we avoid the dreaded curse of another midfielder’s award. And at the end of the season (if we ever get there), we will have a Ruckman of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Forward of the Year, Defender of the Year and an overall MVP.
Ruckman
3. Max Gawn (Melbourne) - Gawn was huge against the reigning premiers, his team needed a leader to stand up and the Melbourne captain was superb. He dominated the hitouts as to be expected but his silver service was elite. Did all he could.
2. Rowan Marshall (St Kilda) - The Saints big man plays his better football when he is the solo ruckman and he again proved that on Thursday night. Coming up against Carlton's Marc Pittonet who was the game's leading hitout ruckman in the past three weeks. Marshall dominated centre bounces and accumulated 19 disposals to Pittonet's five.
1. Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) - Much was made about Andrew Phillips' role on Grundy on Friday night, but that talks more to Grundy's level then the job Phillips did. Grundy was still dominant although not as influential around the ground. His hitout work was still supreme.
Forwards
3. Josh Bruce (Western Bulldogs) - There was plenty of pressure on the Dogs big recruit going into Saturday night, as he had yet to shine at his new home. But it was a big night for Bruce against North Melbourne, who bagged six goals in a best on ground performance. He was superb and showed why the Dogs were so keen to get him in.
2. Kane Lambert (Richmond) - Game 100 for the mature-age recruit and what a game it was. Lambert had an absolute party, tallying 27 disposals, six marks and three goals in a best on ground display as he led the premiers back to their winning ways.
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1. Ben King (Gold Coast) - There's been a lot of hype around Max King lately, but his brother is making waves on the Gold Coast! King was brilliant against the Cats and was key for the Suns' early chances at Kardinia Park. He only had five disposals but bagged three goals and that's more than enough for his role.
Defenders
3. Lachie Whitfield (GWS) - 28 disposals for Whitfield in a best on ground display - his class and poise was clear for all to see. He dictated the game from half back and used the ball brilliantly. A typical Whitfield display.
2. Nick Haynes (GWS) - Haynes again was solid as ever. His ability to intercept the ball and start a GWS counter attack is ever essential to the Giants' gameplan. 21 disposals and 11 marks for Haynes were the cherry on the cake of what was a brilliant defensive display.
1. Brad Sheppard (WCE) - Ever underrated, Sheppard was brilliant on the weekend. 21 disposals to go with 13 marks were key to the Eagles rejoining the winners list. He was crucial to keeping the Eagles ahead in the game after half-time.
Midfielders
3. Dylan Shiel (Essendon) - Shiel has been Essendon's best player this year and was key to their big win over Collingwood on Friday night. 29 disposals and five tackles led to the big bodied midfielder putting in a best on ground display.
2. Jack Steele (St Kilda) - Steele dominated Carlton on Thursday night and completely shut down Patrick Cripps in the first half. 23 disposals and nine tackles helped drive the Saints' big start!
1. Lachie Neale (Brisbane) - Lachie Neal's dominant start to the 2020 season continued, racking 29 disposals and booting a goal in his side's 37-point win over Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
LEADERBOARDS
Ruckman
1st – Todd Goldstein (8 votes)
2nd – Brodie Grundy (7 votes)
3rd – Max Gawn (6 votes)
Forwards
1st – Issac Heeney, Charlie Cameron, Eddie Betts, Charlie Dixon, Josh Bruce (3 votes)
2nd – Gryan Miers, Jack Martin, Chad Wingard, Levi Casboult, Kane Lambert, Ben King (2 votes)
3rd – Tom Lynch, Harry Perryman, Toby Greene, Daniel McStay (1 vote)
Defenders
1st – Jacob Weitering, Nick Haynes (4 votes)
2nd – Brayden Maynard, Alex Keath, Shannon Hurn, Sam Docherty, Lachie Whitfield (3 votes)
3rd – Sam Collins, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Brad Sheppard (2 votes)
Midfielders
1st – Matt Rowell (6 votes)
2nd – Patrick Cripps (4 votes)
3rd – Ben Cunnington, Marcus Bontempelli, Dylan Shiel (3 votes)
MVP
1st - Todd Goldstein (8 votes)
2nd – Brodie Grundy (7 votes)
3rd – Matt Rowell, Max Gawn (6 votes)
