2015 Magarey Medal Preview - by Chris Kendall (5RPH/SANFL.com.au/Sportsbeat)

The Magarey Medal will be held at Adelaide Oval this Monday, September 7. Each year, Chris Kendall (5RPH/ www.sanfl.com.au and Sportsbeat) undertakes the most comprehensive print analysis of the count, with predictions of the top votegetters for each club, and the best outside chance of most clubs. The analysis looks at individual game statistics, key indicators, and takes into account past history of voting etc.

The preview will also be published on the SANFL website and an abridged version in this week's Sportsbeat

2015 MAGAREY MEDAL PREVIEW

Adelaide Reserves: Jarryd Lyons – The inconsistency of Adelaide’s first half of the season will make it difficult for the Medal to head to West Lakes, but Lyons has proven his ability to catch the eye in the past. His first chance at polling will be the round two loss to North Adelaide, where his 20 disposals, 11 clearances and two goals kept him under notice, while 27 touches, seven clearances, six inside 50’s and 2.2 in the round three loss to West Adelaide was also a standout. 31 handlings, 12 clearances, seven inside 50’s and 2.1 when they defeated Sturt in round nine will almost certainly attract the top votes, and 29 touches, five clearances and a goal in the round ten loss to the Eagles had him as Adelaide’s best. Dominant in the round 11 victory over Port, when he found it 29 times to add to 11 clearances, he should also find his name near the top of the slips in the crushing 63 point win over West after amassing 35 touches, 12 clearances, eight inside 50’s and a goal. A tally in the mid-teens looks likely, but not enough to win.

Roughie: James Podsiadly – Finished the season in an absolute flurry, and should get things moving in round nine, where his 21 possession, 14 mark and 5.1 in the win over Sturt was crucial, and another five goal haul, combined with 13 touches and seven marks in the round 14 defeat of North is also a chance. The trend continued in round 15 as Adelaide knocked over West, with his 18 disposals, nine marks and five goals leading all comers. Certain to finish the season with consecutive three vote games, after nine goals in the round 18 win over Sturt and a stunning eleven goals against Glenelg. Double figure votes should mark his night.


Central District: Travis Schiller – Polled only five votes in 2014, but looks set to improve notably upon that. An outside chance of votes in a round two loss to Norwood after a game high 27 disposals, six tackles and eight clearances, he should poll despite their 14 point loss to Sturt in round seven where his game high 30 possessions, ten clearances and five inside 50’s were hard to miss. Finding it another 30 times, with another ten clearances and a goal when they defeated Adelaide Reserves in round eight was also dominant. He was also a prime mover in the upset win over Norwood in round 12, where 28 touches, nine tackles, ten clearances and seven inside 50’s should have him close to top votes, and he could also feature in the round 13 win over Adelaide Reserves after 24 disposals, six clearances and four inside 50’s. Another game high 30 handlings, to go with nine clearances, eight tackles and a goal in the round 16 loss to Port will bring him under notice, and his round 18 game against Glenelg was excellent, where 31 touches, 6 clearances and five inside 50’s should only compete with teammate Wayne Milera for top votes. Could be a real bolter.

Roughie: Chris Jansen – First year SANFL recruits can take time to be noticed, and this, as well as missing a number of games with injury will stymie Jansen’s chances, but he should still pick up some votes. His first chance looks to be the round five loss to West, where a game high 31 possessions, three tackles, four clearances and a goal was clearly the Dogs best, and 32 handlings, ten marks, seven inside 50’s and a goal in the round six draw with South was clearly best afield. 29 touches, four clearances and three inside 50’s were prominent in the round eight win over Adelaide Reserves, and he was also pivotal when finding it 27 times, along with three clearances and three inside 50’s in the narrow round nine loss to Port. Will fight it out with Tom Stevens for the top votes when they smashed North by 99 points in round ten, after 33 possessions, six clearances and five inside 50’s, and he was also busy in the round eleven loss to the Eagles with 32 disposals, five tackles and three clearances. Found it 29 times, along with five clearances and a goal in the round 12 defeat of Norwood, before a 27 touch, seven mark game in the round 13 win over the Adelaide Reserves. 30 possessions, four tackles and eight clearances were a highlight when the Bulldogs fell to West by eleven points in round 14, before he rounded out his season with a game high 28 handlings, five clearances and four inside 50’s when defeating North Adelaide by 11 points in round 15. Missing the remainder of the season could prove crucial, unfortunately, but may spring a surprise early.


Glenelg: Matthew Snook – Topped the Tiger voting last season with seven, but should easily eclipse that in 2015. May get his night rolling in round three, when racking up 30 possessions, seven clearances and laying nine tackles in the 15 point loss to Central District, before an equal game high 30 touches, ten clearances and six tackles in the round six loss to the Eagles. 22 disposals, seven tackles, eight clearances and a goal were easily Glenelg’s best in a eight point loss to Port in round eight, followed by a game high 32 handlings and eleven clearances in the round nine defeat of North Adelaide. A clear best afield performance, marked by 36 touches, eight clearances and seven tackles in the round 11 win over Norwood should be followed by three more votes when the Tigers upset Sturt in round 12, where Snook found it 31 times, laying seven tackles and booting three goals. Despite Glenelg losing the round 13 clash to West, he was again dominant in racking up 33 possessions, six tackles and seven clearances, and a 27 disposal, eleven clearance, one goal game in the round 16 defeat of North could see him again on the slips. May sneak a vote in round 18, where his 32 possessions, 12 clearances and a goal was dominant in a loss to Central. Worth noting that of the four games he polled in last season, three were in losses, and two of those were by 55 points or more, so the umpires clearly notice him, even in heavy defeats. Capable of the upset.

Roughie: Andrew Bradley – With Sam Lonergan ineligible, Bradley looks the best of the rest at Brighton Road. Unlikely to start polling until the round nine North win, with 29 possessions, nine clearances, five tackles and seven rebound 50’s, but a game high 35 touches, seven clearances and six tackles in the round ten loss to South should bring more attention. Round eleven should complete a treble of consecutive votes, with his 26 handlings, five tackles and five clearances a major factor in the shock win over Norwood, and the round 16 defeat of North looks another chance following a game high 31 disposals, seven clearances and five inside 50’s. Double figure tally a chance.


North Adelaide: Marlon Motlop - No player in the modern era has won the Medal in a team that has won just one match and it is difficult to see Motlop changing that trend this year. Was clearly the Roosters best in that sole win in round two against Adelaide, with 25 handlings, three tackles and two goals, and a game high 25 touches, four rebound 50’s and two tackles may see him win attention despite a 16 point loss to South in round four. Likely to cool his heels until round seven at the earliest, in a 44 point loss to the Eagles that yielded 28 possessions, six tackles, five inside 50’s and six rebound 50’s, but 30 disposals and six clearances when the Roosters lost to Norwood by a goal in round eight should be a near definite vote winner. Sheer weight of possession in a 65 point round 13 loss to South, when he notched 39 touches – ten more than any other player on the ground – five tackles and three inside 50’s – is an outside chance at notice, but more likely are votes in the round 15 loss to Central, after 21 handlings, six clearances and 2.3. His season should round out well in round 18, where his 39 touches – ten more than anyone else – six clearances and five rebound 50’s were a feature in the loss to the Eagles. Will poll the vast majority of North’s votes and an overall chance at top ten.

Norwood: James Allan – Only Russell Ebert has stepped to the podium four times on Magarey night, but Allan cannot be completely ruled out as joining him in one of the league’s smallest clubs. Round one should get the wheels moving, with 37 touches, six tackles, six clearances and six inside 50’s in the 19 point defeat of Sturt. More look likely in round two, when 24 disposals, six clearances and three frees were notable in the defeat of Central, and should only be shaded by teammate Peter Persinos for the Anzac Day votes, when finding it a game high 32 times, along with five tackles, ten clearances and seven inside 50’s. 30 possessions, 12 clearances, six inside 50’s and a goal in the round six win over Adelaide would be very hard to ignore, as are 31 handlings, ten marks, four tackles and seven clearances when the Redlegs defeated West in round nine. His 38 disposals – eight more than next best on the ground – six clearances and three tackles in the round ten win over Sturt were very noticeable, but he may lose out to teammate Matthew Panos for votes in the one point loss to South in round 15, despite 28 touches, seven clearances three frees and three rebound 50’s. 31 disposals, three frees, nine clearances and a goal should net him best afield honours in the round 17 thumping of North. Missing the last match of the season may hurt his chances of a top five finish, at least.

Roughie: Matthew Panos – Proceedings should kick off in the opening round win over Sturt, when 32 touches, ten clearances and two goals should fight it out with Allan for top honours. Round five also looks to build, after 24 disposals, eight clearances and 3.1 when Norwood defeated Glenelg, to be quickly followed by more votes in the round six win over Adelaide, for a 32 possession, five tackles and eleven clearance effort. One of the clearest best afield performances in the league was the round eight win over North, as 31 touches, 17 clearances and two goals could not be missed, and his 29 possessions, nine clearances and five inside 50’s when they lost to South by the narrowest of margins in round 15 is another chance. While the Redlegs lost to Adelaide by 29 points in round 16, his 27 handlings, 14 clearances, six inside 50’s and a goal were exceptional. Should improve on last year’s 13 votes, but not enough to win.


Port Magpies: Steven Summerton – Widely touted as a favorite last year, but his 15 votes were 14 adrift of winner Zane Kirkwood. Round three looks his first opportunity to hit the boards, with a 24 disposal, four clearance, five inside 50 and 2.2 game in the defeat of North, and another chance looms in round five, where a game high 31 handlings, complemented by five inside 50’s and a goal were dominant despite losing to the Eagles. Would only be shaded by teammate Aaron Young in the round seven win over Adelaide, 32 touches, four clearances, five inside 50’s and seven rebound 50’s testament to an excellent effort, and at least two votes in the round ten defeat of West, after 32 possessions, eleven marks, four tackles and a goal look highly likely. Votes may dry up until round 16, but they should be high after a 24 touch, six clearances, six inside 50 game when Port defeated Central, as should the round 17 win over North with 28 handlings, seven tackles and five inside 50’s. A chance at round 18 notice also, with 26 possessions, ten clearances and eight inside 50’s when Port defeated South, but round 19 should bring the top votes, after a 24 disposal, five goal performance in the win against West. A top ten finish a chance, but looks to fall short again.

Roughie: Kane Mitchell – Could spring a real surprise on the night, and it may start in round two, when he found it 23 times, along with seven clearances and five inside 50’s in the defeat of South. Unlikely to be seen again until round nine, but his 29 possessions, five clearances, six inside 50’s and two goals were instrumental in the come from behind win over Central. Should keep the run flowing in round ten, finding it 30 times, along with ten tackles, seven clearances and a goal when Port were too good for West, and more could come in the round 13 loss to Norwood, following 22 touches, 12 tackles and 12 clearances. He was everywhere again in the round 14 defeat of the Eagles with 31 possessions, seven tackles, six clearances and 1.2, and looks to have the top votes locked in for round 17 after 39 handlings, 16 clearances and a goal when Port defeated North. The final round win over West is almost certain votes also, with his 36 handlings, eleven clearances and seven inside 50’s the most dominant on the ground. Will finish with a rush.


South Adelaide: Joel Cross – Proven votegetter, the 2012 co-winner was also runner up last season and many argue that 2015 has been at least equal. The night looms as a bright start in round one, with a game high 27 possessions, three frees, six clearances and a goal as the Panthers knocked over Glenelg, and it’s hard to see anything other than three votes for 28 disposals, ten clearances, seven inside 50’s and two goals in the round three win over Sturt. Was clearly noticed by the umpires in round four, receiving a season high eight frees, to go with 17 touches, seven clearances and 1.2 when South rolled North, and swung the game the Panthers way in the round five Adelaide win with three goals to go with 26 possessions and four clearances. Was the catalyst much of the night in the heartbreaking one point loss to West in round eight, his 28 disposals, eight clearances and eight inside 50’s leading all comers, and could sneak a minor vote despite a round nine defeat by the Eagles after 31 possessions, six clearances and five rebound 50’s. Will duel with teammate Emmanuel Irra for top honours in the round 13 drubbing of North, following 29 handlings and three goals, and may find the same scenario in the round 15 Norwood win, following 23 touches, five clearances, seven inside 50’s and two goals. Round 17 may give the unusual honour of picking up two lots of votes, due to the “catchup round”. The Adelaide match was his most dominant, finding it 27 times to go with nine clearances and three frees, but the win over West was also excellent, after 26 touches, five inside 50’s and six clearances. Round 18 may be critical. While South were defeated, he was clearly best afield to half time, and 27 disposals and eleven clearances were a game high, and a minor vote may almost seal his night. Huge chance.

Roughie: Brent Macleod – Has struggled to attract the attention of umpires previously, with only seven votes in 2014, but is up on most key indicators. The round one win over Glenelg could kick off his night, where 26 touches, six clearances and a goal were only behind Cross, and he was also busy in the round three defeat of Sturt with 20 handlings, four clearances and 2.1. 23 possessions, four clearances and 2.2 was arguably South’s best in the round seven loss to Norwood, and 28 disposals, four tackles, three clearances and 1.1 in the round 11 win over Sturt should net votes. Should poll better than 2014.

Sturt: Zane Kirkwood – The 2014 winner has been excellent again this year, but the Double Blues missing finals may hurt his chances. Almost certain three votes when they defeated Glenelg in round two, his 38 possessions, seven clearances and seven inside 50’s clearly the dominant force, and may pinch one in round three despite a loss to South, after 25 handlings, three frees and seven clearances. 25 disposals, five tackles, five rebound 50’s and four inside 50’s will be hard to miss in the round four win over West, and should reasonably expect the top votes in the round five win against North, following 29 touches, four frees and eleven clearances. 27 possessions, four clearances and a goal were a real spark when Sturt knocked over Central in round seven, and a game high 34 touches, five tackles and four inside 50’s were the standout despite the round eight loss to the Eagles. May sneak a minor vote in the round ten loss to Norwood following 23 disposals, four tackles, seven clearances and four inside 50’s, but should get close to three votes with a 32 touch, four tackle, nine clearance, seven inside 50 effort in the round 15 win over Port. Looks set to finish 2015 on a good note, after 28 possessions, three frees and seven clearances as Sturt knocked over North in round 19. Should be high on the boards again, but may fall short.

Roughie: James Battersby – Returned to Sturt in strong style, and round two should be the first votes, where 28 handlings, ten clearances and five tackles were a catalyst in the round two win over Glenelg. The round five win against North looks a further opportunity after 25 possessions, five clearances and three inside 50’s, and would fight it out with Kory Beard for any Sturt votes in the round six loss to Port following 22 disposals, three frees and ten clearances. Unlikely to be seen again until the round 12 loss to Glenelg, with 32 touches, eight tackles, nine clearances and a goal, and a minor vote possible when he found it 24 times, to go with eleven tackles, six inside 50’s and six clearances in the round 13 defeat by the Eagles. The last round looks to end his season strongly, gathering it 30 times with nine clearances and laying six tackles in the defeat of the Roosters. A double figure tally quite possible, but not enough to threaten.


West Adelaide: Chris Schmidt – Has been fancied in past years, but finished equal 11th last year with ten votes, 19 adrift of Zane Kirkwood. The first chance to address this is the narrow round two win over the Eagles, where his 28 disposals, six tackles, seven clearances and five rebound 50’s should have him under notice, while a game high 36 touches and seven clearances were crucial in a second half turnaround that resulted in a round three win over Adelaide. 33 possessions, nine tackles and 13 clearances led all comers despite a round four loss to Sturt, but may fight it out with a number of teammates for attention in a 112 point round seven victory over Glenelg, with 31 handlings, six clearances and a goal. A pivotal factor in the stunning, come from behind one point round eight win over South with 27 disposals and three clearances, round ten may show just how much he is being noticed. Despite a 50 point loss to Port, his 30 possessions, five tackles and seven clearances were easily West’s best in round ten, but round 14 should be a high vote winning game, as his 37 touches, three tackles and four clearances had the Bloods moving in a win over Central. Round 16 should be a real chance with 34 dipsosals, seven clearances and four rebounds 50’s in the big win over Sturt, but there is almost no doubt about three votes in the round 18 thrashing of Norwood, finding it 39 times, with five clearances, six inside 50’s and four rebound 50’s. Set for an intriguing last round, as he found it 29 times, laying four tackles and registering nine clearances, in the 37 point loss to Port. May find that he shares votes with a number of teammates, but some games are just too hard to ignore. Each way chance.

Roughie: Jason Porplyzia – Took a little time to get moving in his full time return to the Bloods, but the round five win over Central appears the first time his name could be called, following 25 disposals, three tackles and seven clearances. The top votes look a strong chance in the round five thumping of North, after 27 possessions, six tackles, six inside 50’s and 2 goals, as does the round seven belting of Glenelg, with 24 handlings, three tackles and 4.2. Was industrious when West were narrowly defeated by Norwood in round nine, after 23 touches and seven clearances, but could fight it out with many teammates in the round 11 thrashing of North with 33 disposals, nine clearances and four tackles. Round 12 was a loss to the Eagles, but finding it 27 times, with nine clearances and five tackles is the leading chance of Bloods votes, while a number will be clamoring for attention in the round 16 win over Sturt, his 30 possessions, seven tackles and eight clearances pivotal. Should also benefit from so many West wins, and a mid teens tally certainly conceivable.


Woodville/West Torrens: Angus Rowntree – Has form in the Medal, with 14 votes in 2012 (equal sixth) and 11 votes in 2013, and his key indicators are impressive in 2015. The round two win over West looks to kick off his night after 28 possessions, five tackles, ten clearances and four inside 50’s, and was among many dominant Eagles when they thrashed Norwood in round 3, Rowntree’s 29 touches, four tackles, six clearances and a goal keeping him under notice. 25 possessions, six tackles and six clearances were vital in the round six victory against Glenelg, and found it 28 times, along with six clearances and a goal in the round seven defeat of North. The round nine win against South looks a high vote chance, after 24 touches, eight tackles, seven clearances and two frees, and should await the top votes for the round ten win against Adelaide. A game high 30 possessions, seven tackles, four frees, seven clearances and three goals is nearly impossible to ignore, and 22 touches, four tackles, five clearances and a goal when they defeated West in round 12 is another eyecatcher. Round 13 gives more opportunity, in finding it 24 times, laying nine tackles, three frees and eight clearances in the win over Sturt, as does the round 15 victory over Glenelg, with 22 handlings, five frees, seven tackles, eight clearances and six inside 50’s a highlight. The round 17 win against Adelaide continues the tone, following 24 possessions, six frees, twelve clearances and five tackles, and the round 19 defeat of Norwood could be telling. His 20 touches led the Eagles tally, along with 11 tackles and ten clearances and could set up a grandstand finish to the Medal. In a dominant team, Rowntree remains a huge chances to get the chocolates.

Roughie: Jared Petrenko – Returning full time after being delisted by Adelaide, Petrenko will most likely cool his heels until round five, where 24 possessions, three frees, five tackles and nine clearances will see him under notice as the Eagles defeated Port. Another quiet run until round nine, with 22 touches, three tackles, five clearances and a goal were vital in the win over South, but 24 handlings, five tackles, five inside 50’s and five clearances in the round ten victory over Adelaide is another opportunity. Round eleven should continue his mid-season run, where the defeat of Central yielded 27 touches, seven clearances, three tackles and seven inside 50’s, and round twelve may also bring more attention, following 22 possessions, three tackles, eight clearances and a goal when beating West. 25 disposals, nine clearances, three inside 50’s and a goal may bring note in the round 13 win over Sturt, however this may almost bring his night to a close. A mid teens tally possible.


CK’s Top 5 and projected votes:

1. Joel Cross (SA) - 22
2. Angus Rowntree (W/WT) – 22
3. Chris Schmidt (WA) - 21
4. Matthew Snook (Gl) - 19
5. James Allan (Nwd) - 17

Bolter: Travis Schiller (CD)

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/3157/

APPLETON, REINBRECHT WIN RESERVES MAGAREY MEDAL

Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Matt Appleton and Norwood on-baller Dylan Reinbrecht are joint winners of the 2015 Reserves Magarey Medal.

Both polling a total of 16 votes, the prolific ball-winners finished four ahead of second-placed Magpie Ben Sawford. Fellow Port player Jack Haarsma ranked third on 11 votes.

Originally from the Moonta Football Club on Yorke Peninsula, Appleton has progressed through the Eagles’ junior grades since arriving at Under-15 level.

The 22-year-old – who measures in at 180cm and 74kg – is among a number of Reserves Magarey Medallists currently playing at Oval Avenue including Scott Lewis, James Boyd and Angus Poole.

The Henley High School graduate has previously played in premierships with the Eagles at Under-18 (2012) and Reserves (2014) level, winning the Alan Stewart Medal as best afield in the 2012 Under-18 Grand Final.

Reinbrecht, who hails from the Athelstone Football Club, has worked his way up through the Redlegs’ junior programs since starting at Under-13 level.

The strong-bodied 23-year-old – who measures in at 175cm and 80kg – is a prodigious left-foot kick who has recently broken into the Redlegs’ league team.

Undertaking a cadetship with SA Police, Reinbrecht is considered a tackling machine evidenced by him laying 18 in a league match against Glenelg in Round 5 this year.

It is the first time since 2013 the Reserves Magarey Medal has been shared, with Central’s Travis Schiller and West’s Nick Homburg crowned two years ago.

That's a detailed and excellent preview by Chris Kendall and it's hard to disagree with any of it.

For West, Chris Schmidt has had some outstanding games, but I fancy Jason Porplyzia's chances, as his clean ball handling and decision making will catch the eye.

I think Joel Cross will win again and I wouldn't dispute that. He's a class player capable of lifting his team to victory.

Well done, CK.

Anyone know the date for this years count?

This Monday. Admin says it in his first sentence.

Oops thanks mate

Why do they announce the reserves medalists a week ahead?
Wouldn't it be more logical and prestigious to announce them all on the one night?

Telecast tonight from 9pm on 7Mate, also showing the Hall of Fame Inductees.

Agree and disagree with Chris re South. Personally I think Cross will win, hes had a better year than when he won it a couple of years ago.SAadly he hasnt had too many to steal votes from him, -reflects the year weve had I suppose! I dont think McLeod will poll a vote, IMO he like many other players at South  had a pretty disappointing year.

CK has the quinella so far, and the exacta if you ignore the same number of votes he predicted

CK is a genius

btw

congratulations to Joel Cross

Congratulations to Joel Cross,
not only a great player but a damn fine human being as well.

A very deserved winner. Joel won the Coach's (R O Shearman) Award by a big margin also.

Typifies what a MM winner should be.

I was naturally a bit surprised at West's relatively low voting, only 54 out of a possible 108, a middle of the road tally considering what a good season we'd had.

I know a team game changes the voting patterns, but games we won easily we often polled poorly and games we lost narrowly, we also polled poorly, if at all.

Only 8 West players polled votes, too.

How did other clubs see their polling?

Whilst not saying Cross wasn't worthy or taking away from his efforts, I noted the top 6 were just about all midfielders.

It has been said before that it is a midfielder's award.
But is the award's lustre diminishing a bit because of it?
Similarly with the Brownlow.

Is there any instruction or guide as to how the umpires are to go about determining what attributes the "best" player has.

Only 6 players polled votes for Sturt.
Cross polled more than twice as much as North