AFL Insider's 32 Favourite Players
The following are some players that may or may not be that good, may not even get a game too often, but are entertaining in their own way. While some have won the AFL Grand Final, some others are just lucky to get a kick in the VFL. Here are 32 of the AFL's best, average and nearly delisted.
Adelaide
Mark Ricciuto: When he entered the league in 1993 he proceeded to run over or through everyone, and he is still doing it today. Always good to watch. Doesn't just hit players hard, when he kicks the ball he puts everything into it too.
Brett Burton: On the wing there will be a group of players, of which Burton will be the shortest. Then he is on top of the pack with the ball in his hands. Doesn't have the height but he uses his athleticism and freakishly long limbs to play much taller than his listed height says.
Brisbane
Daniel Bradshaw: When they were winning he was underappreciated, but last season he was their entire forward line. Has sort of a Clark Kent look to him, doesn't look anything special but then he suddenly appears flying above the pack.
Daniel Merrett: A revelation when sent to the backline in 2006, but after being less than successful in all the other spots the backline was the only position left to try him. Like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV, Merrett makes an impact when he punches. So far he has been getting the football, which is good news for his opponents.
Carlton
Setanta O'Hailpin: You have to wonder what he thinks of his teammates, they have been playing football all their lives but most of them are worse at the game than big Setanta. The former Young Hurler Of The Year was also taking the kickouts for Carlton's VFL affiliate, the Northern Bullants. But O'Hailpin won't be playing in the VFL now, as he is the big, athletic body that they need in the backline. For some reason they call him Carlos there, but if they were smart and wanted to name him after a Santana then Tito would have been better. But forget about that nickname, just say his first and last names as Santa's Helper.
Lance Whitnall: For a player who is said to be slow and unathletic he certainly gets to the ball a lot. An insight into what he does was evident when the cameras went into the Kangaroos rooms, the only player that worried Coach Laidley was Whitnall and he made sure he reminded his players of that.
Collingwood
Anthony Rocca: He kicks the ball a long way. A welcome change from some tactics that teams use.
Dale Thomas: When he was playing at TAC Cup level he was an entertainment machine, while many players have to change and adapt to the AFL, Thomas instead just jumped higher and played with more flair.
Essendon
Brent Stanton: Quietly becoming one of the best midfielders in the game. Commentators should say, "Stanton Delivers".
Courtney Johns: Only has showed brief flashes of his potential. Will have to wait for his chance with Lloyd and Lucas there. That means he better be very patient.
Fremantle
Matthew Pavlich: He is the Docker's best option at every position except in the ruck, and he would be effective at that if needed. Could be the reason why so many politicians voted for that cloning thing, with seventeen Pavliches on a team it would be unbeatable. Dominates quietly, but he still dominates.
Shane Parker: If any player deserves a break, and a shot at a Grand Final, it has to be someone who has been at the Dockers since day 1. Not only was he there when they were running around like the proverbial poultry that was lacking a cranium, but he always had to take the best forward. Parker was "Plan B" when it came to opposition star forwards, but "Plan A" never worked in those days. Now he has McPharlin, Johnson, Mundy, Grover, Thornton and he has a lot more help.
Geelong
Matthew Stokes: Run little guy, run. Makes the VFL entertaining and also had an impact with Geelong in the big league. Should be the perfect compliment to the big targets of Hawkins and Ottens near the goals.
Paul Chapman: One of the few there that can play physical football. A surprise that he wasn't named their new captain.
Hawthorn
Lance Franklin: He is bigger than everyone, runs faster than everyone and kicks the ball longer than anyone. So worth watching.
Chance Bateman: Until last season he was just a guy with spiky hair, but really stepped up in 2006 and played a lot better. His decision making improved as did his disposal.
Kangaroos
Drew Petrie: He was a good ruckman, but now he is a very good defender. Was a big help in AFL Fantasy last season too.
David Hale: The big players don't have as many fans as they deserve, the Kangaroos have said that Hale will be their centre half forward in 2007 so that will be something to watch. Hale is probably more effective a lot closer to goal, so maybe he and Thompson rotate through the key forward posts.
Melbourne
Lynden Dunn: Just like how Anakin thought he was held back by Kenobi, someone at Melbourne is stopping Dunn from doing what he can. This should be his breakout year. Neitz is in the goalsquare, Robertson is roaming around the 50m area, there is room for Dunn around half forward as another marking option.
Byron Pickett: He wins and he runs into people, a good combination. His arrival instantly changed the perception that people have of the Melbourne team. He isn't one who picks on those who are weaker or smaller, and will take on a big ruckman who outweighs him by 20kg, and Pickett will still come out on top.
Port Adelaide
Brendon Lade: Doesn't get the respect that he deserves around the league.
Brett Ebert: Might be the shortest key position player in the AFL. Or could be among the best marks for small forwards in the league, especially on the lead.
Richmond
Darren Gaspar: You have to respect him, he was drafted into the AFL as the number 1 pick and he had his hairstyle then and he stuck with it. Could be an inspiration to young players in the league, and Paul Bower seems ready to follow his example.
Matthew Richardson: Born a decade too late, should have been in the late 80s/early 90s era with Dunstall, Ablett, Lockett and others who were kicking 100 goals every year. Should have been one of the greatest forwards ever, but he didn't have the best coaches or the teammates to get him the ball and a few injuries derailed him when he was at his best. But still has a bit left, and he needs to go out and get his marks in a game record back.
St Kilda
Brendon Goddard: Some fans hold his number one draft spot against him, but he has been as good as anyone else from his draft. Gets the ball and kicks it long, always a good way to play.
Fraser Gehrig: When he is on his game it is great to watch, and when he is really off his game it is even more fun to see. A better kick for goal from 50m out than he is from around 30m, and if he is on the boundary on his correct left foot that seems to be the spot he never misses from. Needs to forget about the media’s opinion and grow his hair, at least at the back, and that will result in more goals.
Sydney
Luke Ablett: An Ablett who quietly goes about his football, and even wins the Grand Final.
Luke Vogels: Nearly every week of the AFL season you can read "Emergencies: L Vogels". That should continue in 2007 as the Swans will also have Everitt who will play a bit as a tall forward.
West Coast
Dean Cox: Without him the Eagles don't win, simple as that.
Brent Staker: Would be a huge star at any other club, but for the Eagles he is behind a few players who are similar to him like Embley and Hunter.
Western Bulldogs
Peter Street: If only a different team had drafted him, nobody wanted him in 1997 and then in 1998 the Cats who already had King in the ruck picked him. The Bulldogs haven't been much better for him, he has been in and out of the team for several years, it took injuries to three or four talls at the start of season 2006 for Street to get into the team. But he did enough last season to prove that he is a very good ruckman.
Brad Johnson: Hard to dislike him.
Adelaide
Mark Ricciuto: When he entered the league in 1993 he proceeded to run over or through everyone, and he is still doing it today. Always good to watch. Doesn't just hit players hard, when he kicks the ball he puts everything into it too.
Brett Burton: On the wing there will be a group of players, of which Burton will be the shortest. Then he is on top of the pack with the ball in his hands. Doesn't have the height but he uses his athleticism and freakishly long limbs to play much taller than his listed height says.
Brisbane
Daniel Bradshaw: When they were winning he was underappreciated, but last season he was their entire forward line. Has sort of a Clark Kent look to him, doesn't look anything special but then he suddenly appears flying above the pack.
Daniel Merrett: A revelation when sent to the backline in 2006, but after being less than successful in all the other spots the backline was the only position left to try him. Like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV, Merrett makes an impact when he punches. So far he has been getting the football, which is good news for his opponents.
Carlton
Setanta O'Hailpin: You have to wonder what he thinks of his teammates, they have been playing football all their lives but most of them are worse at the game than big Setanta. The former Young Hurler Of The Year was also taking the kickouts for Carlton's VFL affiliate, the Northern Bullants. But O'Hailpin won't be playing in the VFL now, as he is the big, athletic body that they need in the backline. For some reason they call him Carlos there, but if they were smart and wanted to name him after a Santana then Tito would have been better. But forget about that nickname, just say his first and last names as Santa's Helper.
Lance Whitnall: For a player who is said to be slow and unathletic he certainly gets to the ball a lot. An insight into what he does was evident when the cameras went into the Kangaroos rooms, the only player that worried Coach Laidley was Whitnall and he made sure he reminded his players of that.
Collingwood
Anthony Rocca: He kicks the ball a long way. A welcome change from some tactics that teams use.
Dale Thomas: When he was playing at TAC Cup level he was an entertainment machine, while many players have to change and adapt to the AFL, Thomas instead just jumped higher and played with more flair.
Essendon
Brent Stanton: Quietly becoming one of the best midfielders in the game. Commentators should say, "Stanton Delivers".
Courtney Johns: Only has showed brief flashes of his potential. Will have to wait for his chance with Lloyd and Lucas there. That means he better be very patient.
Fremantle
Matthew Pavlich: He is the Docker's best option at every position except in the ruck, and he would be effective at that if needed. Could be the reason why so many politicians voted for that cloning thing, with seventeen Pavliches on a team it would be unbeatable. Dominates quietly, but he still dominates.
Shane Parker: If any player deserves a break, and a shot at a Grand Final, it has to be someone who has been at the Dockers since day 1. Not only was he there when they were running around like the proverbial poultry that was lacking a cranium, but he always had to take the best forward. Parker was "Plan B" when it came to opposition star forwards, but "Plan A" never worked in those days. Now he has McPharlin, Johnson, Mundy, Grover, Thornton and he has a lot more help.
Geelong
Matthew Stokes: Run little guy, run. Makes the VFL entertaining and also had an impact with Geelong in the big league. Should be the perfect compliment to the big targets of Hawkins and Ottens near the goals.
Paul Chapman: One of the few there that can play physical football. A surprise that he wasn't named their new captain.
Hawthorn
Lance Franklin: He is bigger than everyone, runs faster than everyone and kicks the ball longer than anyone. So worth watching.
Chance Bateman: Until last season he was just a guy with spiky hair, but really stepped up in 2006 and played a lot better. His decision making improved as did his disposal.
Kangaroos
Drew Petrie: He was a good ruckman, but now he is a very good defender. Was a big help in AFL Fantasy last season too.
David Hale: The big players don't have as many fans as they deserve, the Kangaroos have said that Hale will be their centre half forward in 2007 so that will be something to watch. Hale is probably more effective a lot closer to goal, so maybe he and Thompson rotate through the key forward posts.
Melbourne
Lynden Dunn: Just like how Anakin thought he was held back by Kenobi, someone at Melbourne is stopping Dunn from doing what he can. This should be his breakout year. Neitz is in the goalsquare, Robertson is roaming around the 50m area, there is room for Dunn around half forward as another marking option.
Byron Pickett: He wins and he runs into people, a good combination. His arrival instantly changed the perception that people have of the Melbourne team. He isn't one who picks on those who are weaker or smaller, and will take on a big ruckman who outweighs him by 20kg, and Pickett will still come out on top.
Port Adelaide
Brendon Lade: Doesn't get the respect that he deserves around the league.
Brett Ebert: Might be the shortest key position player in the AFL. Or could be among the best marks for small forwards in the league, especially on the lead.
Richmond
Darren Gaspar: You have to respect him, he was drafted into the AFL as the number 1 pick and he had his hairstyle then and he stuck with it. Could be an inspiration to young players in the league, and Paul Bower seems ready to follow his example.
Matthew Richardson: Born a decade too late, should have been in the late 80s/early 90s era with Dunstall, Ablett, Lockett and others who were kicking 100 goals every year. Should have been one of the greatest forwards ever, but he didn't have the best coaches or the teammates to get him the ball and a few injuries derailed him when he was at his best. But still has a bit left, and he needs to go out and get his marks in a game record back.
St Kilda
Brendon Goddard: Some fans hold his number one draft spot against him, but he has been as good as anyone else from his draft. Gets the ball and kicks it long, always a good way to play.
Fraser Gehrig: When he is on his game it is great to watch, and when he is really off his game it is even more fun to see. A better kick for goal from 50m out than he is from around 30m, and if he is on the boundary on his correct left foot that seems to be the spot he never misses from. Needs to forget about the media’s opinion and grow his hair, at least at the back, and that will result in more goals.
Sydney
Luke Ablett: An Ablett who quietly goes about his football, and even wins the Grand Final.
Luke Vogels: Nearly every week of the AFL season you can read "Emergencies: L Vogels". That should continue in 2007 as the Swans will also have Everitt who will play a bit as a tall forward.
West Coast
Dean Cox: Without him the Eagles don't win, simple as that.
Brent Staker: Would be a huge star at any other club, but for the Eagles he is behind a few players who are similar to him like Embley and Hunter.
Western Bulldogs
Peter Street: If only a different team had drafted him, nobody wanted him in 1997 and then in 1998 the Cats who already had King in the ruck picked him. The Bulldogs haven't been much better for him, he has been in and out of the team for several years, it took injuries to three or four talls at the start of season 2006 for Street to get into the team. But he did enough last season to prove that he is a very good ruckman.
Brad Johnson: Hard to dislike him.
