Best Young Player of the Year

[liam_13]

This is awarded on the same night as the AFLCA Player of the Year, Media Award, Assistant Coach of the Year etc.

Very underrated award. Past winners:
2003 - Chris Judd (West Coast)
2004 - Daniel Wells (Kangaroos)
2005 - Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)
2006 - Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
2007 - Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
2008 - Joel Selwood (Geelong)
2009 - Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
2010 - Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
2011 - Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)

http://aflca.com.au/index.php?id=8

Criteria: in his first two seasons of AFL football.
* No age limit or games limit and any match suspensions disregarded.

So, who's going to win Bigfooty?

Some possible winners:
Dayne Zorko - Brisbane. Mid/forward. Late start to year, playing only 16 games for the year + a couple as sub. Despite being sub in two? games, he has averaged 20 disposals, has 16 goals and 13 goal assists. The oldest one of the 5 that I have mentioned.

Harley Bennell - Gold Coast. Mid/forward. Likely to finish 2nd in GC's B&F. Averaging 23 disposals, kicked 25 goals (2nd behind Ablett) and played all 22 games.

Toby Greene - GWS. Inside mid. Favourite to win Rising Star if he had not been suspended (reprimanded). Averaged 28.4 disposals, 5 clearances and only averaging 75% game time (I think)

Jeremy Cameron - GWS. Key forward. Kicked 29 goals (av 1.8) and has 26 contested marks. Has played some very good games, and stats don't reflect his presence.

Mitch Wallis - Western Bulldogs. Inside mid. Should be top 5 in Dogs B&F, averaged 22.5 disposals, played 18 games.

Anyone I missed? Who do you think will catch the coaches of the AFL eye's and join a pretty elite group.

My prediction: Harley Bennell

 

[liam_13]

Andrew Gaff comes to mind as one I've missed. Ahead of Wallis and Cameron for mine.

 

[Phenotype]

Greene is unbelievable!

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

After yesterday, Nathan Vardy must be a monte. Is daylight ahead of those other hacks op mentioned...

 

[Butler]

I think they will give it to Greene based mainly on numbers. Don't get me wrong, he has had a very very good year but i would give it to Bennell.

 

[liam_13]

After yesterday, Nathan Vardy must be a monte. Is daylight ahead of those other hacks op mentioned...

Should be better because he is a third year

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

Dan Menzel also looked great until he injured his knee...

 

[Hodge is God]

Cameron.

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

Oh. Orren Stephensen looks like a veteran too, old head on young shoulders...

 

[Natho]

Bennell or Greene.

 

[Badesumofu]

Greene, you'd think. Already a gun.

 

[eaglespremiers]

Would've thought Greene but considering Bennell and Gaff may be available (not sure?).
I'd say it's a close call.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Greene, Bennell, and Gaff.

 

[iTim]

Probably biased here but Andrew Gaff and Jack Darling have both been absolutely brilliant and have played every game (that I can recall). Both have stepped up in the face of injuries (Embley, Nicoski, LeCras, Kennedy). Gaff has averaged 25 disposals while Darling has kicked a club high 47 goals (average 2 goals 1 behind). Massive years from both.

 

[ausbacker]

Toby Greene.

 

[Danair]

Toby Greene

 

[Quinz]

Biased, but Andrew Gaff has been sensational.

Other than that Toby Greene is a jet! Would be a deserving winner of the RS if he was eligible. When are the AFLCA awards?

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Greene for mine. Gaff looks like a really really good player, as does Bennell, but Greene's first year has been phenomenal

 

[Morris Major]

Young Player of the Year award has no age limit? Doesn't make sense

Dayne Zorko has had an extremely impressive year, yet at the same time he has had an extra 5 years of development into his body than the likes of Greene. Hell he looks like the incredible Hulk if you stand him next to Bennell. It's just not a fair comparison.

 

[Brisbane2013]

Josh green and dayne zorko

 

[Geoffa32]

Ian Callinan.

 

[drummoyne]

Greene, Gaff or Darling.

All have been sensational.

 

[Quietasamouse]

Toby Greene.

 

[Bardo State]

Greene, Gaff and Bennel are the three standouts but you have to give it to Greene. All of them absolute freaks

 

[liam_13]

Darling was a massive oversight. Would be a deserving winner imo.