The Brownlow Medal is considered a midfielders award, but will that be the case in the Kevin Sheedy Medal?
GIANTS Media casts an eye over the GIANTS’ midfield and followers ahead of the club’s awards night on Friday.
Josh Kelly
The 2017 Sheedy Medallist had an injury-interrupted season, but still played 16 games and, when he was out on the ground, he made his presence felt. But, will it be enough to go back-to-back in 2018?
Season averages:
26.3 disposals (above average), 5.6 inside 50s (elite), 10.1 effective kicks (elite), 5.1 tackles (above average), 0.9 tackles inside 50 (elite), 2.9 stoppage clearances (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 20 against Carlton. Kelly was absolutely dominant against the Blues, racking up 41 disposals (22 of them contested), launching the ball inside 50 an incredible 16 times, had 10 stoppage clearances, seven marks, four goal assists and five tackles.
Callan Ward
The inaugural Kevin Sheedy Medallist and 2017 runner-up put in another memorable effort in 2018 and made the initial Virgin Australia All Australian squad of 40. The GIANTS co-captain’s inspirational efforts and dogged determination were not lost on the rest of the competition, with the league’s players voting him the AFL Players Association Most Courageous Player for 2018.
Season averages:
26.8 disposals (above average), 6.7 clearances (elite), 77.1% disposals efficiency (elite), 13 contested possessions (elite), 1.9 score launches (elite), 4 inside 50s (above average), 0.5 intercept marks (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 17 against Richmond. Ward stood tall against the reigning premier in an outstanding performance – one of his three games throughout the season that drew the maximum three votes on Brownlow Medal night. He collected 32 disposals (19 of them contested), cleared the ball 11 times, had six inside 50s, four rebound 50s, three one-percenters and four marks.
Dylan Shiel
It was another strong and consistent season for Shiel, who played 23 of a possible 24 games. He only dropped below 20 possessions once, and had the third-most goal assists of any player in the league.
Season averages:
25.9 disposals (above average), 4.7 inside 50s (elite), 1.1 goal assists (elite), 4.5 clearances (above average), 1.5 score launches (above average), 17.9 effective disposals (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 11 against Adelaide. It was a season-defining game for the GIANTS – their first win over the Crows at Adelaide Oval – and Shiel’s efforts in the encounter earned him the three votes on Brownlow night. He collected 29 disposals, four clearances, four rebound clearances, three inside 50s and two goal assists.
Jacob Hopper
The third-year GIANT took a big step forward in 2018 after an injury-interrupted first two seasons in the AFL. He played 21 matches and cemented his spot as a valuable member of the GIANTS’ midfield.
Season averages:
21 disposals, 45.1 contested possession rate (above average), 7.3 ground ball gets (above average, 3 stoppage clearances (above average), 4.7 tackles (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 20 against Carlton. The young midfielder topped 30 possessions for the first time since his outstanding debut in 2016. He finished with 31 disposals, six marks, five clearances, five tackles, four inside 50s, three goal assists and a goal.
Stephen Coniglio
Widely considered unlucky to not make the Virgin Australia All Australian 40-man squad, Coniglio was a classy and reliable midfield force for the GIANTS in 2018. His disposals rivalled his 2016 season – when he finished third in the Sheedy Medal – but he upped his impact on the scoreboard, with 24 goals for the year.
Season averages:
28 disposals (above average), 16.3 kicks (elite), 11.2 contested possessions (above average), 4.7 marks (above average), 5 tackles (above average), 3.8 inside 50s (above average), one goal per game (elite).
Standout performance:
Round 10 vs Essendon. In a season full of strong games for Stephen Coniglio, his effort against the Bombers arguably takes the cake. 18 of his 32 possessions were contested, he cleared the ball 12 times, laid seven tackles, had six inside 50s and kicked a goal. It was enough to get him two votes on Brownlow night, despite playing in the losing team.
Rory Lobb
After starting out the year in the number-one ruck role, Lobb became a strong target for the GIANTS up forward during Jeremy Cameron’s five-game suspension. He shifted between ruck and forward duties as needed all season, with his contested marking a highlight.
Season averages:
34.3% hitouts to advantage (above average), 1.7 contested marks (above average), 5 one-percenters (elite), 4.1 spoils (elite), 0.7 tackles inside 50 (elite), 60.1% contested possession rate (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 21 against Adelaide. Having to shoulder the main rucking duties again with Dawson Simpson out injured, Lobb rose to the occasion with 40 hitouts, 15 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four inside 50s, two contested marks and six one-percenters.
Dawson Simpson
Dawson Simpson was flying in the ruck when injury brought about an early end to his season. He made just nine appearances for the 2018 season, but his impact was influential as the GIANTS surged towards finals in the second half of the season.
Season averages:
29.8 hitouts, 3 clearances (above average), 39.6% hitouts to advantage (elite), 78.5% disposal efficiency (elite), 69% contested possession rate (above average), 3.6 score launches (above average), 3.3 tackles (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 18 against Port Adelaide. Simpson was dominant in the ruck, winning 46 hitouts to a combined Power total of 30. He laid seven tackles, had two clearances, two marks and was operating at a disposal efficiency of 81.8%.
Adam Tomlinson
Tomlinson was a Mr Versatile for the GIANTS in 2018, filling whatever position required to help his team. Whether it was playing on a wing, in the ruck, up forward or down back, he answered the call with aplomb whenever the GIANTS needed.
Season averages:
16.6 disposals, 75.4% disposal efficiency (above average), 2.1 one-percenters (elite), 23.5% hitouts to advantage (elite), 5.4 marks (above average), 1.8 spoils (elite), 0.6 intercept marks (above average).
Standout performance:
Round 16 against West Coast. It was Tomlinson’s biggest direct impact on the scoreboard all season, with his three goals keeping the GIANTS in the hunt against eventual premiers West Coast. He also notched up 24 disposals (13 contested), seven marks, six clearances and five inside 50s.
