Simon Black

[Roos34]

Well this goes to show you don't need 30 possies every week to get bogs. It wasnt his best year but he was pretty good as usual. 2 prime examples are the bog against Melbourne, he had around 19-20 that nite but his foot skills were simply awsome, plus he came off injured aswell. The round 2 game agaist Saints is another, 19 poss and 2 goals and the richmond game. just goes to show he probably the best ball user or top 2 or 3 ball user in the comp. Brownlow 2008 should be his next year if this season is anything to go by

 

[Hollow Knight]

Just want to pre-emptively point out for anyone planning to throw a tantrum in this thread that its not Simon Black's fault if he polls more Brownlow votes than you think he deserves.

 

[WA ROO]

Some players get 25 touches and don't really hurt the opposition.
Black hurts the opposition with every kick or handball.Black gets 20 touches and cuts teams to pieces

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

Umpires interpretation of a BOG is grossly flawed. As if they're concentrating on who's getting a kick, rather than on the job they're doing.

If the AFL are serious about the brownlow, then umpires shouldn't be voting... they have no idea about the game or the spirit in which it should be played... yet these guys are voting on the highest individual award in the game. These are the guys who were picked last at lunchtime in the school yard... complete spuds when it comes to all things football... and are only in their position because they have good running ability, which itself is a garbage pre-requisite for being an umpire. Surely having a grasp of the game is more important that being in exactly the right position (which they never are anyway, it's impossible).

 

[bleeding red and white]

I thought Black had a preety reasonable season but he did drop off towards the end a bit. Was abit surprized on how many votes he was given but like a few of you have said it dosen't always have to count of how many poss. the player gets, it's more the impact and influence on the game which Black has done this season. It will be interesting to see how he goes next season, if he can be consistent then his a big chance to wrap up a 2nd charlie for sure.

 

[Scotland]

Simon Black is a quality, quality footballer.

It is a shame that so many people link who got the most possessions to who was the best player on the ground in a given game, rather than who influenced the result the most.

 

[Lady Lawrence]

I'd lay odds that just about every Lions supporter around the country was sitting there jaw dropped last night. Did not expect Blacky to poll as well as he did.

I honestly think that the umps only look at certain players etc. I can't speak for other teams and their players that may have been overlooked but for us Jed Adcock to only have polled 2 votes when he has had a blinding year baffles me.

 

[big schnitzel]

I agree, too much emphasis is placed on how many touches a bloke gets - more nowadays than ever, because so many people have fantasy football/dream teams! If a bloke doesn't rack up the numbers for their team, more often or not they don't rate his performance.

 

[leaper]

Black doesn't get any loose posessions, he earns every one he gets. It's what he does with them as well some of his kicks this year under extreme pressure were incredible, pinpoint and to the player in the best position. He may not be the fastest but he is certainly one of the most skilled players in the league.

 

[Cruiser23]

Look i agree, 20 very effective touches is sometimes more important than 30 - 35 touches but there is no way Simon Black was the second best and second most effective player in the league this year.

 

[Chasing the Dream]

Umpires interpretation of a BOG is grossly flawed. As if they're concentrating on who's getting a kick, rather than on the job they're doing.

If the AFL are serious about the brownlow, then umpires shouldn't be voting... they have no idea about the game or the spirit in which it should be played... yet these guys are voting on the highest individual award in the game. These are the guys who were picked last at lunchtime in the school yard... complete spuds when it comes to all things football... and are only in their position because they have good running ability, which itself is a garbage pre-requisite for being an umpire. Surely having a grasp of the game is more important that being in exactly the right position (which they never are anyway, it's impossible).

Why tamper with a system that has been around for 80 odd years.

I respect your comment that umpires may not be in the best position to vote on best players etc, however we have a truck load of awards presented to players now, and the Brownlow is the one that the umpires vote on.

There is the AFLPA MVP- Leigh Matthews Medal (voted by players)
Herald Sun Player of the Year (media voted)
Coaches Association Player of the Year (coaches)
Channel 9 player of the Year - Lou Richards Medal (media)

Maybe, over time the importance of the Brownlow might fall behind an award like the Leigh Matthews Medal, who knows, but in my ind there is no need to change the way this award is voted on.

Back on the topic, Black had an outstanding first half of the season, and did, as many others have said fall away towards the end. His odds were $10-00 at the half way mark of the season (I know as I was watching and feeling good about the odds I got in Feb!!) and he finally drifted back to the $70 or $80 that he was at the start of the season.
I was surprised where he finished, but not surprised he polled well at the start.

Well done Blacky!!

 

[Omegaman]

I was surprised (as it seems was he), but didn't question the decision. Looks more like a greyhound than an in-and-under but is one of the best going around. Wouldn't begrudge him another.