ALASTAIR Clarkson and Scott Watters had differing views on who was best afield on Friday night, with Jarryd Roughead and Leigh Montagna receiving the highest number of votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.
A maximum of 10 votes (five each) can be received by any one player, but in Hawthorn’s win over the Saints, Roughead and Montagna received a game-high six votes each for their performances.
Roughead starred again for the Hawks, booting a game-high five goals and once again proving the focal point up forward without partner, Lance Franklin.
He also had 14 disposals and took four marks.
The Hawks forward is having arguably the best season of his career, and the number of matches in which he has polled votes in this award is testament to that, polling 19 votes in the past five matches.
Montagna was St Kilda’s best player, with 35 disposals, four clearances and four inside 50s. His run and carry through the middle was pivotal to his team’s ability to challenge the Hawks, particularly in the opening quarter.
He also received six votes.
Shaun Burgoyne returned to form in his second game back from serving a two-week suspension, gathering 29 disposals in the win.
He received five votes for his efforts, whole ruckman David Hale received four votes for his 15 disposals and 27 hit out performance.
Defender Josh Gibson received three votes for his role as a defender with an attacking flair.
Gibson gathered 26 disposals from centre half back and took eight marks as well as helping shut down dangerous St Kilda forward, Nick Riewoldt.
On a number of occasions too, Gibson saved goals through tackling pressure and the ability to read the play and defend his team’s goal line.
Sam Mitchell also received three votes for his 24 disposal game and Shane Savage one vote for arguably his best game for the year – a team-high 30 disposals, four clearances and five inside 50s.
Saints midfielder Jack Steven also polled two votes for his 33 possession game.
St. Kilda v Hawthorn
6 Montagna (St K)
6 Roughead (Haw)
5 Burgoyne (Haw)
4 Hale (Haw)
3 Gibson (Haw)
3 Mitchell (Haw)
2 Steven (St K)
1 Savage (Haw)
Round 20 Leaderboard
90 Kieren Jack (Syd)
85 Gary Ablett (GC)
79 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
78 Joel Selwood (Geel)
76 Ryan Griffen (WB)
70 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)
65 Dane Swan (Coll)
64 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
63 Nathan Fyfe (Frem)
60 Rory Sloane (Adel)
