DESPITE Hawthorn securing a thrilling 11 point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, both Brenton Sanderson and Alastair Clarkson deemed Crows’ midfielder Patrick Dangerfield to be best afield.
Dangerfield had 35 disposals, eight marks, three tackles and two goals in his team’s loss to poll a perfect 10 votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.
Josh Gibson and Luke Hodge were judged by the coaches to be the best performed Hawks in the win, with Gibson playing a vital role down back.
The reliable defender was shifted onto Crows forward Josh Jenkins midway through the second term, when Jenkins was proving to be Adelaide’s most dangerous forward.
Gibson limited his impact on the game in the second half and managed to provide great run off half back for the Hawks with felloiw defender Grant Birchall well held by Sam Kerridge (1 vote).
He finished the game with 23 disposals and six marks.
The Hawks skipper played the majority of Saturday’s win in the midfield, while rotating across half back.
Hodge was prominent in the first term, providing the inspiration Hawthorn needed to get off to a good start playing away from home. He gathered nine disposals and kicked a goal in the opening quarter.
Hodge finished the game with 29 disposals, five marks, three tackles and a goal to continue his impressive form since returning from injury in Round 2.
Adelaide’s Daniel Talia also received four votes for keeping spearhead Lance Franklin goalless, while Jarryd Roughead received three votes for his role as a deep forward who spent time in the ruck.
Luke Breust also received two votes for his role in the win, which included two vital goals within a minute in the final term to give the Hawks a handy 18 point break, while Sam Mitchell also polled two votes for his 29 disposals off half back.
The votes
10 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
4 Josh Gibson (Haw)
4 Luke Hodge (Haw)
4 Daniel Talia (Adel)
3 Jarryd Roughead (Haw)
2 Luke Breust (Haw)
2 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
1 Sam Kerridge (Adel)
The leaderboard after Round 6
35 Jobe Watson (Ess)
30 Travis Boak (Port)
30 Hamish Hartlett (Port)
28 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)
27 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)