Can Griffen win the Brownlow?

[EasternWest]

Regardless of your opinion of the validity of the award, if he continues his current form can he do it?

I think he can, here's why:

He gets a ton of the ball.
Good players in bad sides standout.
He plays where the ball is.
He's the kind of player that umpires notice - tackle breaking, dashing long kicks.

Thoughts?

Also, I got on him at 51 dollars ages ago, so I have a vested interest!

[chef]

I think he'll struggle to get enough 2 & 3's as the umpires tend to favour the team that wins.

[bulldogtragic]

I think he'll struggle to get enough 2 & 3's as the umpires tend to favour the team that wins.
That would be my concern too.

[AndrewP6]

Can't see him winning it in a team that isn't often winning, and often losing by sizeable margins.

[LostDoggy]

I think he'll struggle to get enough 2 & 3's as the umpires tend to favour the team that wins.

Even more so these days.

[EasternWest]

I think he'll struggle to get enough 2 & 3's as the umpires tend to favour the team that wins.

Hmm. Good point. Something I didn't think about.

[LostDoggy]

Ablett Got 25? votes last year in a team that won 3 games. Griffen isn't quite Ablett, but we should win 6 or 7 games. I would say he's a good smokie.

[bornadog]

He is playing like a brownlow medalist, I think he has a chance

[azabob]

How has he normally polled? Once a vote getter, always a vote getter!

[1eyedog]

He is playing like a brownlow medalist, I think he has a chance

This. He wasn't named in Fox Sports half way mark AA team though. Not that that means alot mind you.

[LostDoggy]

This. He wasn't named in Fox Sports half way mark AA team though. Not that that means alot mind you.

All Australian has come to be as meaningful as the Rising Star.

[1eyedog]

All Australian has come to be as meaningful as the Rising Star.

Yeah well about as meaningful as the Brownlow for me. Who cares who the umpires think is the best player in the comp? I haven't even watched the last two.

[AndrewP6]

How has he normally polled? Once a vote getter, always a vote getter!

Highest total of 11 last year, so if that's any indication, he won't get near it.

[Ghost Dog]

Highest total of 11 last year, so if that's any indication, he won't get near it.

Well, plenty of coaches reckon he's the best mid going around.

[The Underdog]

Well, plenty of coaches reckon he's the best mid going around.

Are you talking about Griff?
Honestly I love the guy but who rates him higher than Ablett or Watson?

[Ghost Dog]

Are you talking about Griff?
Honestly I love the guy but who rates him higher than Ablett or Watson?

Ok, one of the best mids going around. But better because he wears the right jumper :)

[1eyedog]

Well, plenty of coaches reckon he's the best mid going around.

Here's the AFL Coaches Association Leaderboard. He's tracking ok in the top 10 but he's a fair way off the pace. I would say there aren't plenty of AFL coaches who think he's the best mid going around considering there are eight above him.


Round 13 Leaderboard

73 Gary Ablett (GC)
54 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)
53 Kieren Jack (Syd)
50 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
46 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
46 Jobe Watson (Ess)
43 Nathan Fyfe (Fre)
39 Brett Deledio (Rich)
39 Ryan Griffen (WB)
38 Travis Boak (Port)

[jeemak]

Are you talking about Griff?
Honestly I love the guy but who rates him higher than Ablett or Watson?

I'd take him over Watson any day of the week, but not over Ablett.

If we had a structure like Essendon do at the moment, where the midfield has the opportunity to run forward knowing they can receive the ball and be creative then Griffen would stand out more than he does now for us. His work is currently geared towards a higher mix of inside work versus outside than it should be due to our current lists inability to lend support across the ground, and put him in a position to take more outside opportunities.

Think back to when he was inconsistent, not being tagged and benefitting from probably the most efficient backline I've seen play for the Bulldogs. He would often get clear air in those circumstances. He has a good mix of inside and outside now, with an opponent hanging off him in every circumstance and still dominates even when times are tough.

Ablett is in another league however. I won't draw a comparison out of respect for my own reputation.

[LostDoggy]

Here's the AFL Coaches Association Leaderboard. He's tracking ok in the top 10 but he's a fair way off the pace. I would say there aren't plenty of AFL coaches who think he's the best mid going around considering there are eight above him.


Round 13 Leaderboard



Well to be fair he has played the least games out of the top 10.

[hotdog]

Fark I hope so had $20 on him at $101!

[1eyedog]

Well to be fair he has played the least games out of the top 10.

Over the last month of footy I would have him second with Dangerfield behind Ablett. It's a long season though and he has scored very heavily over the last 4 weeks.

[LostDoggy]

He was our best player last year and Boyd still polled more votes than him. I really don't know what the umpires see out there?

[LostDoggy]

He was our best player last year and Boyd still polled more votes than him. I really don't know what the umpires see out there?

Griffen polled 11 votes last year, Boyd polled 10.
Boyd won the Club best and fairest and polled more votes in the Coach's Association MVP.
Neither polled well in the AFLPA MVP.
They were very even last year, I would say.

[LostDoggy]

Sorry it was the BF. I was thinking of.

[craigsahibee]

He was our best player last year and Boyd still polled more votes than him. I really don't know what the umpires see out there?

We spend the majority of each game and the year questioning the umpires decision making abilities yet the football world places so much emphasis on the Brownlow Medal.

I just don't get it. For me it lost it's relevance when Shane Woewodin won it.

[DragzLS1]

I will be putting something on him to have the bulldogs most votes this year, maybe top 5 for the brownlow but to win it!! THat would be awesome.. Some coaches rate him as currently the 2nd most inform mid over the past 5 rounds behind Ablett.. THat wouldnt be enough though.

[LostDoggy]

$51 right now.

I think he's having a better year than some players who are much shorter and poll well (Selwood, Cotchin, Pendlebury, Swan).

[bornadog]

$51 right now.

I think he's having a better year than some players who are much shorter and poll well (Selwood, Cotchin, Pendlebury, Swan).

You would think Gablett will take it out.

[LostDoggy]

You would think Gablett will take it out.

Agree. Top 5 not a bad bet though.

[bornadog]

Agree. Top 5 not a bad bet though.

Good bet, worth a few dollars for a punt, you never know.

[Topdog]

He is no chance. I'd be amazed to see him top 8 to be honest and he is having a fantastic season. Will be $1.20 for most Bulldog votes though.

[Bulldog Joe]

He is no chance. I'd be amazed to see him top 8 to be honest and he is having a fantastic season. Will be $1.20 for most Bulldog votes though.

If you get $1.20 for that you could end up with a criminal record.
Surely that would be stealing.

[Topdog]

thats what they had most of the field at fr strong favourites last time round.

[Ozza]

At this point in the year - he is a very good chance to poll against Port (3 votes), St.Kilda (probably at least 1 or 2), Richmond (1 or 2) - and a small chance to have polled against Brisbane, North and Collingwood.

So at 6-10 votes so far this year - he'd have to have a lot of good games to finish the season, and definitely play well in any wins we have.