The 27-year old produced arguably his leading performance in Magpie colours, garnering 26 disposals across half back against Melbourne as his raking left boot once again came to the fore.
Launching four rebound 50s and sending the ball inside 50 on five occasions, including two score assists, Young’s disposal proved valuable in transition, providing necessary drive in launching attacks from deep.
After an injury plagued debut season at the Westpac Centre, Young’s recent rich vein of form has highlighted the skill set which made him sought after during the 2012 trade period, ranking third in the AFL for total metres gained (5560m) this season.
Young defender Jack Frost’s lockdown role on Melbourne forward Chris Dawes earned the second-year player six votes, emphasising his remarkable emergence as a key back in 2014.
Elevated from the rookie list as an injury replacement for Matthew Scharenberg, Frost has cemented his berth as a pivotal member of the Magpie rearguard, holding down the full back position since round one, forcing the established Lachlan Keeffe and Nathan Brown, prior to his shoulder surgery, to battle for the remaining tall role.
A typically assured display from skipper Scott Pendlebury earned him four votes, the midfielder nonchalantly collecting 26 disposals, including 11 contested possessions and six clearances, in the low scoring affair.
Pendlebury remains third overall on the AFLCA leader board, sitting five votes behind Sydney’s Josh Kennedy, and a further six shy of Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett.
Midfielder Brent Macaffer was the final Magpie to receive recognition, earning three votes as he restricted Melbourne’s Dom Tyson to just 16 disposals, adding the youngster to the list of impressive scalps he has claimed as a run-with player this season.
Melbourne v Collingwood
Round 12 2014
Votes
7 - Clinton Young (Collingwood)
6 - Jack Frost (Collingwood)
4 - Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
4 - Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
3 - Lynden Dunn (Melbourne)
3 - Brent Macaffer (Collingwood)
2 - Bernie Vince (Melbourne)
1 - Cameron Pedersen (Melbourne)
