That’s it – no more Head 2 Head matches. With plenty of big numbers this year, R19 did not let us down as we say goodbye to the home & away season; and hello to knock out action.
Now, so as to not hang around too long at the risk of boring you good DT faithful, I give you The Numbers for R19…
1 – kicks that could’ve decided the Crows v Bombers game on Sunday. In a scintillating and tense 2nd half – both teams put on a great show for their fans with Adelaode walking away the victor against a disappointed Essendon.
2 – teams who dropped dangerously close to being out of the race for finals this year with St Kilda and Carlton now both 8 points behind 8th/9th spot. Perhaps it’s the optimist in me but with Essendon fling its not impossible for the Saints or Blues to make a mathematically outstanding charge at the 8. At least Brett Ratten agrees.
4 – days left until finals footy. DT finals that is. Did you make the 8? Or crash put to be placed in the ‘complimentary cup’?
5.8 – Average marks taken by Melbourne high flyer Jeremy Howe. Besides Nic Nat, is there a better player at taking a screamer on the field? 2012 has seen Howe emerge as one of the most prolific jumpers in the AFL with multiple mark of the year nominations – including week 4 where he had two.
6 – upon revisiting the NAB Rising star list for 2012, my predictions are well on track as the GWS Giants have now had 6 kids put forward this year – easily surpassing Gold Coast’s 2011 record of 4. With pocket dynamo Devon Smith a chance to also get a nod this week, he could join Cameron, Bugg, Coniglio, Shiel, Greene and Treloar in the books as no. 7. My pick for the year? Has to be Toby Greene.
7 – Speaking of the Greeneman, he’s now totaled 7 x 30+ disposal games now in 2012. What started as pure accumulation has turned into impact as he’s become an important cog in the young giants midfield. With an avg of 26.8 touches for the year and 91.25 DT points, he is a star of the future. Anyone pick him in their starting side?
8 – I gave this bloke a wrap last week but couldnt help but mention him again. Matty Pavlich is in thunderous form with another 8 goals on the weekend leading his team to victory in the Western Derby. Now leading the race for the Coleman Medal on 55 goals, he’s in the box seat to take out the prestigious gong after a slow start to the year.
47 – Games now ex-Port mentor Matthew Primus had as head coach before his axing on Monday morning. After a positive start to his AFL coaching career where he won 5 from his first 7 games, he evokes another coach to have failed to see a vision of success come to fruition. After being with the club since 2005 as assistant coach – time will tell whether we’ll see an exodus in the passing months of his departure.
130 – we’ve been waiting all year and it’s finally happened (albeit way too late). Bryce Gibbs has played a decent game in the MIDFIELD. With 29 touches, 7 marks, 6 tackles and a sausage roll – Gibbsy fired in the middle. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the Blues over the line against the minor premiership favorites.
573 – highest total disposals to date in season 2012. Guess who this belongs to? That’s right, Dane Swan. Despite playing two less games than the likes of Boyd and Thompson, the reigning brownlow medallist is once again putting his name forward after some huge individual performances.
Whore of the Week
This week, Suns youngster Harley Bennell becomes the youngest nominee of 2012. His 38 touches, 7 marks, 4 tackles and 4 straight goals gave him a massive 156 points for the round as he dominated his opponent Jack Trengove in their 42 point loss to Melbourne at the weekend. A near certainty for 3 Brownlow votes, he now has a DT average of 87.6 and has played every game this year. Who’d have expected such a breakout?
Highlights – Gibbs, Sidey, Deledio and Dangerfield were my highlights as would Jolly, Bennell, Pavkich and the ever present Ablett.
Lowlights – Birchall’s continued run of poor form (68) was bettered by Cox’s even poorer 66. Oh yeah, also Cloke failed yet again for 49.
Team McRath – only made the 8 in 3/5 leagues which dictates my poor year. A score of 2233 was a lot better than last week but still under par. Shall I say planning for 2013 is in full swing.
#TheNumbers are a bit light this week as we wind down to the end of the year. Keep up the feedback (I love a bit of positive reflection) and feel free to offer up suggestions and I look to play around with the article to improve it for 2012, when it’ll be back bigger and better. Until next week, follow me on the Tweetvine @McRathDT and keep a look out for those numbers.
Sidenote: At the time of writing this Devon Smith had not yet won the nomination for R19 NAB Rising Star – Congrats Champ!
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