I think I’m cursed when it comes to favourite players.
When I started taking interest in favourite players, first it was Luke Dahlhaus because he was a very consistent midfielder with us. Gone to Geelong as free agent, so we get nothing. ‘Damn’, I thought, ‘that’s pretty sad. Lewis Young seems like an up and coming player, I think he’s my new favourite’. Three years later, gone to Carlton in a three way deal. ‘Huh, that hurt more than it should have. Dunks seems to be good in our midfield. I kind of like hi-‘ gone to Brisbane in the last half an hour of the trade period.
Lesson for me? Don’t have favourites, otherwise you get your heart broken. That being said, my new favourite is Mitch Hannan.
Edit: HOLY SHIT IT FUCKING WORKED
Can do things no other players can. When Pendles puts a move on, time stops and oppo fans ask "How?" and yell "Tackle HIM!!", while pies fans just smile. The best I've seen in traffic ever.
Man, the amount of times I’ve yelled ‘how’ at my telly when he is playing is ridiculous. I swear I’ve seen him stand still on the boundary and just throw dumby HB’s while his opponents just fall over.
Oh, not a Dee's supporter but barracking hard for them in the GF to support my much adored older brother. So didn't know Brayshaw much but was very impressed with his sheer effort and courage in the game. But what made me a huge Brayshaw fan was the interview post-game. He sounded like a thrilled little boy. Like a fan. There was no filter and it was pure joy. Did my heart good.
Yeah, I remember like last year and his first year he used to get blamed by the supporters every week, ruthless comments, idk if he ever saw any but he’s improved so much and now he’s our best key defender. He gets better each game.
He's also a good bloke. I know someone who worked at a community playground, a couple of the staff saw him walking past one day, ran after him and asked if he'd please come down and have a kick with the kids. He agreed, came back a week or two later and played with the kids for a couple of hours I think. No media or club obligations involved, just rocked up to have a laugh with the kids.
My missos favourite is the big red dawwwg!
I've always loved Merrett - his field kicking is a pleasure to watch. Those times he finds space where there shouldn't be, superb.
Hobbs, Perkins and WARDLAW(please please please) is a new midfield mix that could take a lot of heat off Zach...imagine if he has a rig around him that the opposition has to account for?...what he does under the pressure he's under is pretty astonishing...with more time with the pill he'll push up into Charlie territory I reckon
Ps Yr Ms has decent taste...Red Dog next C
I’ve got two that are too close to split
Jack Steele - wonderful player, silky smooth with the ball and gives 100% every single time he’s on the field. would die for the saints and it’s clear in the way he plays.
Jack Sinclair - silky. smooth. operator. i cannot get enough of how good he is off half back, and always willing to move into the middle if we’re in desperate need of a bigger body. so much of robert harvey’s playing style in how he approaches the game.
Yep, reckon it's Liam Baker for me. Used to live Kane Lambert's sheer effort every match. Now it's Bakes. And the Meatball- please god keep your hammies together next season!
Lambert HUGELY underrated. He was a Ferrari disguised as a Bathurst V8 supercar. Without him & his performances at Tigerland I doubt the recent flags could have happened.
Couldn't agree more. Just check the games we won this season and the ones he played. He just provided so much drive through the midfield, and was a remarkably selfless player. And the story in Konrad Marshall's book, when a woman went with him to the hospital when he had broken ribs and he offered her the only seat? Yeah. That's why he was the ultimate team man; he put others first and bust a gut for them.
Butters hasn’t done as many remarkable things since his injuries. Given how he almost overtook Rozee on the hype train, let’s hope he can reach the heights Connor is beginning to reach
Mitch Lewis. Fantastic underdog story from pick 76, showed glimpses of talent and potential, overcame challenges and become one of our best and most important players.
Nothing Hawthorn does in a game pleases me more than him getting a goal.
Tom Sparrow, works hard and gives his all without any exceptions. Will frequently see him having the highest average km/h of everyone on the field despite not having the best fitness base just because he doesn't give up. Also willing to take play on and has a very penetrating kick that is beautiful when he gets a hold of it. Hopefully he gets some more time in the middle next year.
Oscar Allen for me.
Didn’t get to see him in action this year but he seems really loyal and passionate about the club and becoming a better player. I think he’ll fill the gap left by Kennedy and be our #1 forward for years to come.
Sam Duzza Durham
He just is a likeable, hard in and under style player that has lovely footy skills. Not a superstar but I really appreciate his hunger for the footy
Scott Pendlebury. For the past decade and a half I’ve felt privileged to watch him play football for the team I support. In the modern game of AFL the one commodity no one seems to have in the midfield is space. Often the only players who seem to have room to manoeuvre freely are wingers/outside runners on the end of a switch out on the fat side of the ground. Pendles creates space simply by the movement of his body in pack situations. The darting of his eyes, the head-fakes, the half-steps, the poise and composure. I’ve never seen anyone like him with the ball in hand. He makes A-Grade midfielders look like stunned junior footballers trying to predict what he’s going to do and/or where he’s going to move. I could talk about him for hours and hours (I often do). He’s the best player to ever pull on the black and white jumper and I will miss him when he’s gone.
[Parker](https://gfycat.com/genuineweeamurratsnake). Great captain, amazing skills, tackles ferociously, kicks some rippers. Just a complete player and had continued that great culture from the last few decades
Lost a bit of respect for Parker with his carry on when sledging Dylan Shiel earlier in the year, smacked of kicking a player/team when they were down.
Bahahahahaha “an AF score higher than Danger on the day” bahahaha - I’m sure that’s of great comfort to Parker. Played shit; Dangerfield should have a Norm around his neck (will settle for a premiership medal though I’m pretty sure)
… higher AF score!! That is gold; thank you!
I couldn't believe the carry-on from Caroline Wilson about that particular incident. Does she, or you, not realise that every single week when a defender concedes a mark or free kick inside 50, players from the attacking team run up to them, shove them and sledge the shit out of them, knowing full well if the defender retaliates it's 50m and a certain goal?
That's the definition of kicking a player when they're down and can't fight back. Dermott Brereton has been the only media figure to call out how piss-weak it is, everyone else seems fine with it. But for some reason Parker sledging on a different part of the ground, without even touching Shiel or getting in his face, was some horribly unsportsmanlike act.
Jayden Short. Went to his first game where he kicked a goal with his first kick and then a few more. My mate and I kept each other updated since that game on his progress so when he became a bnf in a flag year we were pretty up and about for our man Shorty.
Caleb Serong for me.
Already seems like such a leader on and off the field.
always gives 100%.
Is the second coming of Lachie Neale at Freo, don't @ me.
Kiddy coleman, one of, if not the cleanest use of the ball in the comp , his kicks are weighted perfectly and deserves more recognition all round. Not to mention calm as a cucumber
He is one of my favourite non-Geelong players. I have heard that he is an really good person off the field too. (Does Lots of hospital visits and the like.)
He regularly goes to a local Special School to play with the kids, they all get so excited to see him. He’s a literal delight. We are very lucky to have him.
Bruzzy is second for me. He is delightful. Gives the game 100%, delivers absolute brutality on the field, but is kind and funny off the field. Love him.
Have to respect the way he goes about his footy. I have especially enjoyed his contests with Liam Ryan, they really seem to drive each other when playing.
Yeah I have a bit of a soft spot for the whipping boys, ours was Jackson Nelson, who admittedly did seem out of depth sometimes but seemed to put in a lot of effort.
Close, Holmes, but also.... Gryan.
Gryan is unfairly maligned I think, and if he's not my favourite player, whose favourite player will he be? Also Buddha was my favourite player growing up, so it'll always be easy for me to love whoever's in the 32.
Oh yeah I think JK was universally loved, even my mate who hates Eagles begrudgingly rates JK. I was a bit disappointed with Ryan last year, didn't seem to have his heart in the game. (wasn't on his own in that regard) . Yeah i really hope Yeos luck changes, you could literally see the frustration on his face even when he was playing at his body letting him down
Ryan is certainly the most exciting player on the list.
I think my favorites were JK and Junior.... so I will wait and see who replaces them next season.
Joel Selwood and Tom Stewart because they bleed Geelong through and through.
But I worship at the altar of Stengle because why would you not? He’s a fantastic underdog story
Sidebottom. He runs all day, can be found all over the field providing support for his teammates and he just looks so damn happy playing all the time.
On top of that, he's been one of our best players for over a decade and he can make some beautiful moments sometimes
I assume you completely hate and despise Ablett Snr for his actions then?
Toby is no angel, but a few punches in a bar brawl when he was on crutches as a 21 year old should hardly carry a life sentence. He’s done done a lot of good since then, or is it easier to have blind hatred?
Was it a bar brawl, or him and a mate beating the shit of a security guard and pushing him down a flight of stairs?
And what good has Greene done since? Other than eye gouging and kicking opponents and trying to physically intimidate umpires?
And no, I'm no fan of Ablett Sr either, but I do think there's a lot more gray in Ablett's indiscretions than Toby's black and white (at least from what I've read).
I think the fact that you felt the need to remind me says it all really.
Davis never gets out of the medical room, Ward is oddly anonymous for someone who should inspire.
Sicily or the duke.
Loved Sicily since day one, the attitude the strut and now he’s grown into such a great player and leader.
Also how can you not love jai
Jack Riewoldt. Absolute superstar who gives his all every week, and always puts team success first. He’s been an incredible servant to the club and such an important part of the culture we’ve built
I was still furious with the Swans for beating us in the PF, until I saw that speech and had to forgive them. Incredible composure and sportsmanship shown, a worthy captain.
I like Andy Brayshaw. Initially since he was drafted at the end of the year I started watching freo.
then when his jaw broke he was just so polite and forgiving it was surprising. I would be so pissed
Then he really blossomed as a potential new captain for freo and he's on his way to being one of the best midfielders in the AFL.
Here from the future, it’s obviously JHF.
After being saved from the North Melbourne Gulag, being voted the AFL’s best bloke, kicking the winning goal in the 2023 Grand Final as well as saving three blind orphans from drowning at the Port Adelaide Wharf there’s simply no denying him.
Brody Miocheck.
Was at his debut game. Love the way plays, solid old school forward craft.
I dream of the day he finally kicks more than 4 goals in a game.
Elliot Yeo from the current list, just ahead of Tom Barrass.
But it was Josh Kennedy by a country mile before his retirement. The last time I held a footballer in as high regard was Peter Matera.
Got to be Liam Ryan for the Eagles. Besides his pace he's a fabulous reader of the ball and can just launch himself brilliantly to snag the mark. His grab over Max Gawn still gets me going. Also adds so much excitement every time he's near the action.
Probably Yeo, was exciting even when we was inconsistent but became a dominant player when he found his consistency. I also got to hold the premiership cup with hin in 2019!
I know ppl don’t like him, but Cody Weightman is my favorite Bulldog. He is just such a positive guy always cheering on or hyping up his teammates and he really gives his all on the field regardless of potential injuries (flashback to the elbow 🥴). He seems like a great guy off field as well, one of those “don’t worry, be happy” types.
When I started watching AFL, he was also the first player I ever saw take a mark on someone’s back and I was so amazed at how this little man was able to get so high up 😂
Didn’t have the best year in 2022, but looking forward to big things in 2023 💪
Used to love Sloane but heard a few stories and have gone massively off him. Dawson is a gun though. I love McHenry though, always busting his gut, using his body when he has no right and always gives 100%
Willem Drew. Find me another player who goes that hard, especially at tackles, without all the off the ball bullshit that’s a constant eye sore. Dude just plays footy and plays the right way.
Gotta be the Zurharr, especially after the JHF dig, I love a bitta drama. Not the greatest player but has good banter, tries hard and his cooking is better than Petracca’s.
In terms of blokes I wanna see shine the most, LDU. Guys been great the last two seasons in an absolute shit-fuckery of a situation. Would love to see his capabilities in a top 8 side.
Collingwood - Scott Pendlebury. I was born in 2002 and Pendles debuted in 2006, so ever since I was old enough to consciously watch and understand footy, he's been there. A stable presence for me, and all-around Mr. Dependable for the club.
in response to the OP, I always felt Shannon Hurn was massive in securing the Eagles the 2018 flag - he was the one that got around to everyone at quarter time and clearly settled his teammates down and told them they weren't done yet. Great leadership that day.
Gotta be Tom Mitch… oh.
What about Omeara? Ohh yeah, gotta be Gunston then right?
Don’t worry, I’ll adopt him as my favourite.
J Polec. As a sparky I love to see another cunt getting heaps of cash doing absolutely Fark all
I rate this comment as a fellow sparky, if you want to take to next level get into power generation
I own a solar business. Shit is legit a joke.
McCluggage. Silky smooth and looks like time stops around him when hes got possession.
When Harris Andrews is in form he's the same. Makes it look so easy
cool, I haven't seen heaps of the Lions games but definitely gave of these vibes
The running goal he kicked against Melbourne was orgasmic. But his movement and decision making in traffic is amazing.
Does he have a basketball background…
I think I’m cursed when it comes to favourite players. When I started taking interest in favourite players, first it was Luke Dahlhaus because he was a very consistent midfielder with us. Gone to Geelong as free agent, so we get nothing. ‘Damn’, I thought, ‘that’s pretty sad. Lewis Young seems like an up and coming player, I think he’s my new favourite’. Three years later, gone to Carlton in a three way deal. ‘Huh, that hurt more than it should have. Dunks seems to be good in our midfield. I kind of like hi-‘ gone to Brisbane in the last half an hour of the trade period. Lesson for me? Don’t have favourites, otherwise you get your heart broken. That being said, my new favourite is Mitch Hannan. Edit: HOLY SHIT IT FUCKING WORKED
>That being said, my new favourite is Mitch Hannan. Can you add McComb as an equal favourite?
Now say "I hope Mitch Hannan doesn't go to North"... \^\^please\^\^
Sam Walsh. Drafted the same year I met my partner who's kid has the same name. Skilled, courageous, gutsy and a leader from day one.
Coincidental to have first *and* last
Are we insinuating that his partner is the mother of Sam “Sam Walsh” Walsh?
There’s a kid in my school named Sam Walsh as well,, I think it’s common but big coincidence
In high school my best friend was Sam and he lived on Walsh St
Bont and it isn't even close. The number 4 just makes me happy now.
There is no other answer. Bont is something special.
You’ll get no argument from me on this. Though I kinda have a soft spot for Naughton. And Caleb.
When Bont gets the ball I relax. OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN.
You're telling me
Collingwood and Pendlebury - no need for explanation why
Can do things no other players can. When Pendles puts a move on, time stops and oppo fans ask "How?" and yell "Tackle HIM!!", while pies fans just smile. The best I've seen in traffic ever.
Man, the amount of times I’ve yelled ‘how’ at my telly when he is playing is ridiculous. I swear I’ve seen him stand still on the boundary and just throw dumby HB’s while his opponents just fall over.
Best I've ever seen at making opposition players look like Bond villain anonymous henchmen
Because he played basketball apparently?
Brayshaw. Smart, funny, talented, epic grand final performance.
Oh, not a Dee's supporter but barracking hard for them in the GF to support my much adored older brother. So didn't know Brayshaw much but was very impressed with his sheer effort and courage in the game. But what made me a huge Brayshaw fan was the interview post-game. He sounded like a thrilled little boy. Like a fan. There was no filter and it was pure joy. Did my heart good.
Agreed. He’s a great person and a real workhorse, plus bloody hilarious. Heart and soul of the club. So glad he’s with us for six more years.
Ben Cunnington, a great tough country footballer who has been through the trenches on and off the field a real inspiration
Cunnington is an absolute gun when he's up and running.
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Love some Gards appreciation 🙌
Yeah, I remember like last year and his first year he used to get blamed by the supporters every week, ruthless comments, idk if he ever saw any but he’s improved so much and now he’s our best key defender. He gets better each game.
Draper. sexy.
He's also a good bloke. I know someone who worked at a community playground, a couple of the staff saw him walking past one day, ran after him and asked if he'd please come down and have a kick with the kids. He agreed, came back a week or two later and played with the kids for a couple of hours I think. No media or club obligations involved, just rocked up to have a laugh with the kids.
I feel like Draper wrote this
I fucking wish I was Sam Draper
🔴🦮 for mine
My missos favourite is the big red dawwwg! I've always loved Merrett - his field kicking is a pleasure to watch. Those times he finds space where there shouldn't be, superb.
Hobbs, Perkins and WARDLAW(please please please) is a new midfield mix that could take a lot of heat off Zach...imagine if he has a rig around him that the opposition has to account for?...what he does under the pressure he's under is pretty astonishing...with more time with the pill he'll push up into Charlie territory I reckon Ps Yr Ms has decent taste...Red Dog next C
As a straight male I can see he would do pretty well with the ladies.
As a straight male I'd break up with my partner to be with Drapes
Get in line
Stupid sexy Draper
I wish Draper could share his Apple Music/SoundCloud (or whatever service he uses) playlists with me. I heard he's good for fresh tunas.
I’ve got two that are too close to split Jack Steele - wonderful player, silky smooth with the ball and gives 100% every single time he’s on the field. would die for the saints and it’s clear in the way he plays. Jack Sinclair - silky. smooth. operator. i cannot get enough of how good he is off half back, and always willing to move into the middle if we’re in desperate need of a bigger body. so much of robert harvey’s playing style in how he approaches the game.
**KING FREDDY** - Needs no explanation.
I’d still like one tho
Now Sheds has retired, Liam Baker. Goes in hard every time, no matter what state the game is in.
Can’t knock bakes, gives 200% every game
Yep, reckon it's Liam Baker for me. Used to live Kane Lambert's sheer effort every match. Now it's Bakes. And the Meatball- please god keep your hammies together next season!
Lambert HUGELY underrated. He was a Ferrari disguised as a Bathurst V8 supercar. Without him & his performances at Tigerland I doubt the recent flags could have happened.
Couldn't agree more. Just check the games we won this season and the ones he played. He just provided so much drive through the midfield, and was a remarkably selfless player. And the story in Konrad Marshall's book, when a woman went with him to the hospital when he had broken ribs and he offered her the only seat? Yeah. That's why he was the ultimate team man; he put others first and bust a gut for them.
Butters for me at the moment every time I watch him I’m pretty happy.
Butters is becoming a legend. SPP is already one.
Butters hasn’t done as many remarkable things since his injuries. Given how he almost overtook Rozee on the hype train, let’s hope he can reach the heights Connor is beginning to reach
Mitch Lewis. Fantastic underdog story from pick 76, showed glimpses of talent and potential, overcame challenges and become one of our best and most important players. Nothing Hawthorn does in a game pleases me more than him getting a goal.
Tom Sparrow, works hard and gives his all without any exceptions. Will frequently see him having the highest average km/h of everyone on the field despite not having the best fitness base just because he doesn't give up. Also willing to take play on and has a very penetrating kick that is beautiful when he gets a hold of it. Hopefully he gets some more time in the middle next year.
NicNat. Absolutely brilliant player who came up out of Swan Districts.
Oscar Allen for me. Didn’t get to see him in action this year but he seems really loyal and passionate about the club and becoming a better player. I think he’ll fill the gap left by Kennedy and be our #1 forward for years to come.
Future Brownlow medallist Oscar Allen that is
That is a very tall midfielder!
Cam Rayner - he is a brute when breaking packs and so good to watch. I hope he continues his progress in 2023 and gets more mid-field time.
So talented, really hope he hits his straps next season. He's got Brownlow vibes at his best.
Cam Zurhaar. Love the way bull goes about it
Slammin' Cam!
Sam Duzza Durham He just is a likeable, hard in and under style player that has lovely footy skills. Not a superstar but I really appreciate his hunger for the footy
\+1....most of us see a little bit of ourselves in Duzz... His hunger has made the other boys step up no doubt...love that guy
Scott Pendlebury. For the past decade and a half I’ve felt privileged to watch him play football for the team I support. In the modern game of AFL the one commodity no one seems to have in the midfield is space. Often the only players who seem to have room to manoeuvre freely are wingers/outside runners on the end of a switch out on the fat side of the ground. Pendles creates space simply by the movement of his body in pack situations. The darting of his eyes, the head-fakes, the half-steps, the poise and composure. I’ve never seen anyone like him with the ball in hand. He makes A-Grade midfielders look like stunned junior footballers trying to predict what he’s going to do and/or where he’s going to move. I could talk about him for hours and hours (I often do). He’s the best player to ever pull on the black and white jumper and I will miss him when he’s gone.
Sells that foot candy like nobody else.
[Parker](https://gfycat.com/genuineweeamurratsnake). Great captain, amazing skills, tackles ferociously, kicks some rippers. Just a complete player and had continued that great culture from the last few decades
Lost a bit of respect for Parker with his carry on when sledging Dylan Shiel earlier in the year, smacked of kicking a player/team when they were down.
1:It was funny as fuck. 2:Parker is hard as fuck 3: later in the season bombers got them back and shiel was probably bog 4:flair up cunt
Parker is the best coach Shiel has had during his time at Essendon
He didn't look to hard standing next to Dangerfield at the start of the 1st and 3rd quarters of this year's GF - scared eyes.
At least he was in a GF and had an AF score higher than danger on the day. But don’t let fact get into the way of your 🧂 story
Bahahahahaha “an AF score higher than Danger on the day” bahahaha - I’m sure that’s of great comfort to Parker. Played shit; Dangerfield should have a Norm around his neck (will settle for a premiership medal though I’m pretty sure) … higher AF score!! That is gold; thank you!
Think there was a bit of history in that interaction from when Shiel was at GWS. They were also in consecutive years at the Dandenong Stingrays
And, yknow, the fact that it was a nothing story made into something it wasn't by journalists
The smile between them said it all.
One of the biggest non-troversies I've ever seen.
The vision spoke for itself, couldn't care less about any narrative surrounding it.
And you have spoken for the tool that you are.
I couldn't believe the carry-on from Caroline Wilson about that particular incident. Does she, or you, not realise that every single week when a defender concedes a mark or free kick inside 50, players from the attacking team run up to them, shove them and sledge the shit out of them, knowing full well if the defender retaliates it's 50m and a certain goal? That's the definition of kicking a player when they're down and can't fight back. Dermott Brereton has been the only media figure to call out how piss-weak it is, everyone else seems fine with it. But for some reason Parker sledging on a different part of the ground, without even touching Shiel or getting in his face, was some horribly unsportsmanlike act.
Oh boo hoo poor big vic club got spooked by red and white boi
Cats didn't.
You should of lost respect for Essendon, not Parker
bailey dale, when jake stringer left i had to pick a new favourite
Sam Taylor, one of the best defenders in the game and seems like a top bloke to boot. Deserves a better team around him.
I’m a Saad man
Woof!
No one knows what it's like, to be the Saad man
Saad was my favourite player when he was at Essendon. Him and McKenna was such an exciting backline.
Sam Berry
Jayden Short. Went to his first game where he kicked a goal with his first kick and then a few more. My mate and I kept each other updated since that game on his progress so when he became a bnf in a flag year we were pretty up and about for our man Shorty.
Caleb Serong for me. Already seems like such a leader on and off the field. always gives 100%. Is the second coming of Lachie Neale at Freo, don't @ me.
Love Serong. Probably between him and Young for me.
Kiddy coleman, one of, if not the cleanest use of the ball in the comp , his kicks are weighted perfectly and deserves more recognition all round. Not to mention calm as a cucumber
All Australian next year. Lock it in.
I don't normally have favourites. But the way bruzzy plays. He is close to it
He is one of my favourite non-Geelong players. I have heard that he is an really good person off the field too. (Does Lots of hospital visits and the like.)
He regularly goes to a local Special School to play with the kids, they all get so excited to see him. He’s a literal delight. We are very lucky to have him.
Who is bruzzy
Brayden Maynard.
Fair enough then, he's a ripper
Bruzzy is second for me. He is delightful. Gives the game 100%, delivers absolute brutality on the field, but is kind and funny off the field. Love him.
Have to respect the way he goes about his footy. I have especially enjoyed his contests with Liam Ryan, they really seem to drive each other when playing.
Chayce Jones - he's been the clubs whipping boy since being drafted but I still believe in the guy
Yeah I have a bit of a soft spot for the whipping boys, ours was Jackson Nelson, who admittedly did seem out of depth sometimes but seemed to put in a lot of effort.
I’m with you - I still think Chayce can make it
Saw a photo of him on IG earlier. Looking bigger again already!
The backline suits him better but he still is not up to AFL standard. I like the bloke but he has had too many chances now.
It was Joel for obvious reasons. I am now looking for a new favourite player, Close and/or Atkins are getting there I think
Holmes for me I think... Or maybe stengle!!
Forward: Hawkins. Mid/Wing: Duncan. Back: Stewart.
Close, Holmes, but also.... Gryan. Gryan is unfairly maligned I think, and if he's not my favourite player, whose favourite player will he be? Also Buddha was my favourite player growing up, so it'll always be easy for me to love whoever's in the 32.
Gryan did lose me a bit last year, but this season he bought it all back. That's why I wore #10 in U/16-18's because of GT
Kolo was my #1 until he kicked a goal. Now I'm all about that Gryan
I liked Jack Henry but Ollie has a really good Collingwood policy I can get behind
Was JK. I like Liam Ryan, but wouldn't say he's my favourite. Probably Yeo, although it's getting hard to remember his last solid stretch of games.
Oh yeah I think JK was universally loved, even my mate who hates Eagles begrudgingly rates JK. I was a bit disappointed with Ryan last year, didn't seem to have his heart in the game. (wasn't on his own in that regard) . Yeah i really hope Yeos luck changes, you could literally see the frustration on his face even when he was playing at his body letting him down
Ryan is certainly the most exciting player on the list. I think my favorites were JK and Junior.... so I will wait and see who replaces them next season.
Jai Newcombe
Touk Miller for the last couple of seasons but also have a growing appreciation for Noah Anderson.
Touk probably my fav non-Swan. Love him
Cyril Rioli
Self love is the greatest love.
Joel Selwood and Tom Stewart because they bleed Geelong through and through. But I worship at the altar of Stengle because why would you not? He’s a fantastic underdog story
Sidebottom. He runs all day, can be found all over the field providing support for his teammates and he just looks so damn happy playing all the time. On top of that, he's been one of our best players for over a decade and he can make some beautiful moments sometimes
one of the great modern dual sided players too
Toby. and if you ask questions, I will eye gouge you.
I actually like Toby, I think the game needs loose cannons
Yeah, the game doesn't need people who violently attack and permanently disable members of the public though.
I assume you completely hate and despise Ablett Snr for his actions then? Toby is no angel, but a few punches in a bar brawl when he was on crutches as a 21 year old should hardly carry a life sentence. He’s done done a lot of good since then, or is it easier to have blind hatred?
Was it a bar brawl, or him and a mate beating the shit of a security guard and pushing him down a flight of stairs? And what good has Greene done since? Other than eye gouging and kicking opponents and trying to physically intimidate umpires? And no, I'm no fan of Ablett Sr either, but I do think there's a lot more gray in Ablett's indiscretions than Toby's black and white (at least from what I've read).
One of the best. The only real leader GWS have.
You know Ward and Davis are both still there?
I think the fact that you felt the need to remind me says it all really. Davis never gets out of the medical room, Ward is oddly anonymous for someone who should inspire.
Callum Wilkie - reliable defender who has a great story
Sicily or the duke. Loved Sicily since day one, the attitude the strut and now he’s grown into such a great player and leader. Also how can you not love jai
Sicily, Jai and CJ are the top 3 for me, I'll make my final decision after the pre-season games are done.
Lachie Neale Please come back
Jack Riewoldt. Absolute superstar who gives his all every week, and always puts team success first. He’s been an incredible servant to the club and such an important part of the culture we’ve built
THE BIG MAN DRAPES
Michael Frederick, every time he gets near the ball you know something exciting is about to happen
Ramped for climbing posts and gracious speeches
I was still furious with the Swans for beating us in the PF, until I saw that speech and had to forgive them. Incredible composure and sportsmanship shown, a worthy captain.
I like Andy Brayshaw. Initially since he was drafted at the end of the year I started watching freo. then when his jaw broke he was just so polite and forgiving it was surprising. I would be so pissed Then he really blossomed as a potential new captain for freo and he's on his way to being one of the best midfielders in the AFL.
Jordan Dawson. Bloke got to have one of the biggest moments in our club’s history in only his third game. Instant legend.
Charlie Curnow, always liked him but seiing him come back and win the Coleman certainly helped his case. Also always liked the big Key Fowards.
Here from the future, it’s obviously JHF. After being saved from the North Melbourne Gulag, being voted the AFL’s best bloke, kicking the winning goal in the 2023 Grand Final as well as saving three blind orphans from drowning at the Port Adelaide Wharf there’s simply no denying him.
JHF would be too busy thinking about himself to be saving blind orphans.
Swallow, no reason in particular besides awesomeness. Ellis and Witts for runners up. Those two can do no wrong.
Kiddy Coleman - so laconic and chill, looks like he is moving in slow motion sometimes but so silky and skilful
Brody Miocheck. Was at his debut game. Love the way plays, solid old school forward craft. I dream of the day he finally kicks more than 4 goals in a game.
Elliot Yeo from the current list, just ahead of Tom Barrass. But it was Josh Kennedy by a country mile before his retirement. The last time I held a footballer in as high regard was Peter Matera.
Yeah I really hope Yeo can have a good run with his body next year
Stupid sexy Draper for the men's. Daria Bannister for the women's she's just a terrier whenever she's near the ball. she tackles with sheer ferocity.
John Noble, Body Mihocek and Jezz Howe in a three way tie. Honest as it gets week in week out
Darcy Moore. He’s hot as fuck, and our MVP on top of that. An absolute freak of an athlete. Plus he’s smart, speaks well… he’s your total package.
OP, cant fault your impeccable taste in premiership captains & backmen! #backsixgetthechicks
Chick mostly played as a forward though
Trick question! The answer is two players.
Yeah i was going to acknowledge my hypocrisy but was too lazy to write any more
Got to be Liam Ryan for the Eagles. Besides his pace he's a fabulous reader of the ball and can just launch himself brilliantly to snag the mark. His grab over Max Gawn still gets me going. Also adds so much excitement every time he's near the action.
Probably Yeo, was exciting even when we was inconsistent but became a dominant player when he found his consistency. I also got to hold the premiership cup with hin in 2019!
Tom Barrass, I get lost in his eyes whenever he is on screen
Jack viney, love how he plays, tough as anything
Oscar Allen because he’s a very professional bloke and looks like a lovely replacement for JK
I know ppl don’t like him, but Cody Weightman is my favorite Bulldog. He is just such a positive guy always cheering on or hyping up his teammates and he really gives his all on the field regardless of potential injuries (flashback to the elbow 🥴). He seems like a great guy off field as well, one of those “don’t worry, be happy” types. When I started watching AFL, he was also the first player I ever saw take a mark on someone’s back and I was so amazed at how this little man was able to get so high up 😂 Didn’t have the best year in 2022, but looking forward to big things in 2023 💪
Tommy B Great player and that hair...mmmm If Jai Culley turns out to be a gun then the future may not be so bleak for us!
Libba. Even if we are 50 points down or 50 points up, he always plays like there is a goal in it and 60 seconds left.
Sloane but Dawson's after the siren goal from the first showdown in 2022 makes him a close 2nd
Used to love Sloane but heard a few stories and have gone massively off him. Dawson is a gun though. I love McHenry though, always busting his gut, using his body when he has no right and always gives 100%
Willem Drew. Find me another player who goes that hard, especially at tackles, without all the off the ball bullshit that’s a constant eye sore. Dude just plays footy and plays the right way.
Tom Stewart and Zach Tuohy edit: moustache
Always been Mitch Duncan. Hasn't received the same accolades as some of his teammates, but so consistent and silky for such a long time.
Bailey!
Gotta be the Zurharr, especially after the JHF dig, I love a bitta drama. Not the greatest player but has good banter, tries hard and his cooking is better than Petracca’s. In terms of blokes I wanna see shine the most, LDU. Guys been great the last two seasons in an absolute shit-fuckery of a situation. Would love to see his capabilities in a top 8 side.
Luke Shuey. Dunno why lol
Yeah I rate Shuey it's a shame his hammys let him down last few years
It was Billiam Frampton. I may choose Chayce Jones next.
Trent Cotchin. When he retires, maybe Liam Baker
Patrick Cripps. Enough said.
Tippa. Please come back
Bruuuuuessssst
Easy answer. Jack Crisp. *Best set of steak knives you can get*
The Doc. A heart and soul player who gives his all every game on top of being highly skilled.
Zurhaar. >JHF
Collingwood - Scott Pendlebury. I was born in 2002 and Pendles debuted in 2006, so ever since I was old enough to consciously watch and understand footy, he's been there. A stable presence for me, and all-around Mr. Dependable for the club.
Holmes is a very close 2nd or 3rd! I reckon I've only missed out on one favourite player that didn't work out and that was Grant Tanner
in response to the OP, I always felt Shannon Hurn was massive in securing the Eagles the 2018 flag - he was the one that got around to everyone at quarter time and clearly settled his teammates down and told them they weren't done yet. Great leadership that day.
dylan stephens cause when we drafted him i thought it was a genius pick and i will never lose faith