David Edwards
NormGeelong The Real Deal, But Is Ablett a Brownlow Contender?
June 18th 2007 14:40
After a number of season of doubt, criticisms and questions about their true team’s potential, it seems that Geelong are finally on their way to make their true and solid mark on the competition.
Going into the halfway mark they have won nine matches out of 12, but what has been more memorable is how they have performed on the field. With a winning percentage of 155%, Geelong have been on the charge. The Cats have won their past seven matches, have an average winning margin of 58 points, and have defeated four of the sides in the top eight, not to mention posted the biggest win of the season so far (against Richmond in Round 6 by 157 points).
After making the finals in ‘04 and ‘05, and the dismal performance in ‘06 where they were originally toted as premiership contenders, it seems that they have finally hit their straps. Sitting on top of the ladder, with second placed West Coast looking like they are not able to knock them off anytime soon (unless they beat St.Kilda this weekend by 240 points or more), the Geelong Cats are finally becoming the premiership contenders that they have been toted for in the past three seasons.
And it seems to the victors goes the spoils. Geelong are the talk of the town, and after West Coast they are favourites in winning the 2007 premiership. However it seems that a lot of focus has been drawn on the side, and more particularly with midfielder Gary Ablett.
It seems that whilst Geelong as a side are not as secure winning the premiership cup than West Coast, Ablett has now become the new golden child of the league as today he was announced as the new favourite to take the Brownlow Medal, overtaking the previous favourite Chris Judd. After two rounds against Sydney and potentially his best game in his career against Brisbane, he has been on fire and there is no doubt that Ablett is on the way on having the best season of his already stellar career.
However, and this is a big however, i do not think that he is on the way in being the best player of the league in 2007. It is true that Ablett has been a solid player for the Cats, and a major factor in their current success, but the question is has he been the player that has changed nearly each and every game so far this season to deserve the best and fairest medal?
The key to the best and fairest medal is threefold. First of all the team must be in winning fashion for the entire season, and whilst Geelong are definitely on track to succeed (essentially cementing a finals spot), they still could falter at the end, which we have seen them do in seasons past. Secondly, the Brownlow medallist must be solid all year, which Ablett is on the way to do, and thirdly they must be performing head and shoulder above their successful teammates to be noticed by the umpires.
This is the most important factor, and probably the one that might stop Ablett from winning the prestigious medal. Whilst Geelong are on a winning pace, it is definitely not on Ablett’s back. Millburn, Bartel, Chapman, Johnson, Scarlett, these five players are definitely are strong and powerful on the field as Ablett, and whilst all the talk is around Gary so far, it might be the case that his side might be splitting the votes by season’s end, and therefore limiting anyone’s chances holding charlie.
There is no doubt that Geelong are the team to keep an eye on as September looms closer, and if they keep on performing like they have been for the past few weeks then they have a strong chance of becoming the first Victorian side in six years to hold the premiership cup aloft. However the question with Ablett which i have constantly come across is are we watching how good he performs because we seeing a star in the making, and possibly viewing a Brownlow medallists season, or are we keeping a closer ye on him because we are seeing the signs of greatness that made his father the legend his is know for?
Until next time, sports minds.
Going into the halfway mark they have won nine matches out of 12, but what has been more memorable is how they have performed on the field. With a winning percentage of 155%, Geelong have been on the charge. The Cats have won their past seven matches, have an average winning margin of 58 points, and have defeated four of the sides in the top eight, not to mention posted the biggest win of the season so far (against Richmond in Round 6 by 157 points).
After making the finals in ‘04 and ‘05, and the dismal performance in ‘06 where they were originally toted as premiership contenders, it seems that they have finally hit their straps. Sitting on top of the ladder, with second placed West Coast looking like they are not able to knock them off anytime soon (unless they beat St.Kilda this weekend by 240 points or more), the Geelong Cats are finally becoming the premiership contenders that they have been toted for in the past three seasons.
And it seems to the victors goes the spoils. Geelong are the talk of the town, and after West Coast they are favourites in winning the 2007 premiership. However it seems that a lot of focus has been drawn on the side, and more particularly with midfielder Gary Ablett.
It seems that whilst Geelong as a side are not as secure winning the premiership cup than West Coast, Ablett has now become the new golden child of the league as today he was announced as the new favourite to take the Brownlow Medal, overtaking the previous favourite Chris Judd. After two rounds against Sydney and potentially his best game in his career against Brisbane, he has been on fire and there is no doubt that Ablett is on the way on having the best season of his already stellar career.
However, and this is a big however, i do not think that he is on the way in being the best player of the league in 2007. It is true that Ablett has been a solid player for the Cats, and a major factor in their current success, but the question is has he been the player that has changed nearly each and every game so far this season to deserve the best and fairest medal?
The key to the best and fairest medal is threefold. First of all the team must be in winning fashion for the entire season, and whilst Geelong are definitely on track to succeed (essentially cementing a finals spot), they still could falter at the end, which we have seen them do in seasons past. Secondly, the Brownlow medallist must be solid all year, which Ablett is on the way to do, and thirdly they must be performing head and shoulder above their successful teammates to be noticed by the umpires.
This is the most important factor, and probably the one that might stop Ablett from winning the prestigious medal. Whilst Geelong are on a winning pace, it is definitely not on Ablett’s back. Millburn, Bartel, Chapman, Johnson, Scarlett, these five players are definitely are strong and powerful on the field as Ablett, and whilst all the talk is around Gary so far, it might be the case that his side might be splitting the votes by season’s end, and therefore limiting anyone’s chances holding charlie.
There is no doubt that Geelong are the team to keep an eye on as September looms closer, and if they keep on performing like they have been for the past few weeks then they have a strong chance of becoming the first Victorian side in six years to hold the premiership cup aloft. However the question with Ablett which i have constantly come across is are we watching how good he performs because we seeing a star in the making, and possibly viewing a Brownlow medallists season, or are we keeping a closer ye on him because we are seeing the signs of greatness that made his father the legend his is know for?
Until next time, sports minds.
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