By Robert Griffin
@RLGriffin85
Round 21 – GIANTS vs Melbourne (Manuka)
It was a cold day down at Manuka on the weekend, but some GIANTS were in white hot form. None more so than Toby Greene, who has averaged more disposals as an eighteen year old than any other player in modern history, surpassing the lofty heights set by the Bulldogs Stephen Wallis and St Kilda’s Robert Harvey.
In a breathtaking showing in the nation’s capital, Greene amassed 38 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and two goals in his return to the side after a week’s rest. All of this added up to a total of 146 AFL Dream Team points, ranking him the third highest scorer in the league this round, sitting behind some of the AFL’s best in Gary Ablett and Marc Murphy.
It’s an extraordinary achievement for the Rising Star nominee, who regrettably won’t be eligible for the award due to a minor indiscretion in round eight, leaving Jeremey Cameron and Adam Treloar as the GIANTS' front runners. But possibly even more interesting will be how Greene polls in another two awards later in the year; the Brownlow Medal (also ineligible) and the inaugural Kevin Sheedy Medal.
Jonathan Giles continued his month of good form, collecting 115 Dream Team points, the most for any ruckman who does not have dual position status (where the player is categorised as both a ruckman and another position). His 25 hit-outs were matched with 21 disposals and ten marks and it was his highest Dream Team score this season in which he did not kick a goal (and his third highest overall).
Other honourable mentions go to Taylor Adams who collected 96 points coming back into the squad this week after a one week absence, Luke Power (in his 300th AFL game) who showed he still has what it takes to cut it with the best, collecting 89 points, and Andrew Phillips, who after debuting at Manuka back in round seven, totalled 83 points in his best performance of the season.
Round 22 – St Kilda vs GIANTS (Etihad)
The GIANTS travel for the thirteenth, and final time this week, as they take on the Saints at Etihad Stadium. The Saints are coming of a loss to Geelong and if they can manage a win over the GIANTS they will keep their finals chances alive (mathematically anyway).
The battle will be fought in the midfield, with Greene, Scully, Adams and possibly Treloar and Ward going head to head against Goddard, Montagna, Hayes and Dal Santo.
If you still have Greene in your side, you’d be very tempted to play him on the paddock and the same goes for Treloar if he makes his way back into the side after a weeks rest. Jonathan Giles will again be important for many teams, with popular alternative ruckman Jon Griffin flagged as possibly missing out this week by staff at Fremantle.
And remember, if you want to get involved, there are still have two weeks left in Toyota AFL Dream Team for you to get your head around the game for the start of next season. Plus there’s always the chance of the weekly $500 prize.
The views in this article are that of the author and not necessarily the club.
GWS GIANTS v St Kilda
Etihad Stadium
1.45pm Saturday August 25, 2012
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