Voting for the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award continues as the 2015 AFL season draws to a close.
Collingwood Media looks at the performances of four premiership players who turned back the clock in Saturday’s 18-point victory over Carlton at the MCG.
Collingwood’s top performers
36. Dane Swan
Statistics: 22 kicks, 19 handballs, 41 disposals, 10 marks, 3 goals.
A beardless Swan continued his unstoppable run against Carlton with a flawless 41-disposal performance. The Blues never got a moment free from Swan as the old enemies clashed at the home of football. His nine-disposal second quarter was his least productive of the day, with every other term ending with double-digit possessions. Swan the goalkicker came out to play in the second half of the game. His three goals opened with the first goal of the third quarter and finished with Collingwood’s last goal of the day at the 30-minute-mark of the final term. While the 2011 Brownlow Medallist has kicked 17 goals from the midfield this year, his three goal haul is his highest since his memorable four-goal performance on ANZAC Day in 2014.
10. Scott Pendlebury
Statistics: 14 kicks, 23 handballs, 37 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s.
The captain finished the day with the Peter Mac Cup in his hands, but earlier in proceedings, it was the Sherrin that was so often in his grasp. While Swan was dashing and powerful, Pendlebury accumulated disposals in a classy, business-like manner. 23 of his 37 touches were handballs and he used the ball at 83.8 per cent efficiency. The 27-year-old loves playing at the MCG. Of the six times he’s tallied more than 30 possessions this year, four have been at the home of football. He relished football from the opening bounce in the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot. 14 disposals came in the opening quarter as Collingwood took a slender lead over the Blues.
20. Ben Reid
Statistics: 7 kicks, 2 handballs, 9 disposals, 4 marks, 4 goals.
It had been a long time coming for Reid’s highly-anticipated 100th game. After countless injuries and setbacks, the 2011 All Australian defender went forward and marked his presence from the opening bounce. Despite being known primarily for his backline dominance, it’s in attack where Reid has done the majority of his damage in his last 20 games. In his last uninterrupted season he kicked 25 goals 13 games before adding another goal in his three full games in 2014. His return to the field marked another four-goal performance for Reid, who led the Magpies’ scoring in the absence of the injured Travis Cloke.
11. Jarryd Blair
Statistics: 13 kicks, 9 handballs, 22 disposals, 5 marks, 11 contested possessions.
Similar to Reid, Blair was playing for the VFL Magpies at Williamstown last weekend while the rest of the AFL team took on Melbourne at the MCG. He returned to the senior side on Saturday and impressed in 86 per cent of playing time. Ever a threat in front of goal, the 25-year-old kicked the Magpies’ fifteenth major of the game to bury the Blues at the 27-minute mark of the final quarter. He recorded season highs in inside 50s (five) and contested possessions (11) while his disposal tally of 22 was second only to his 23-disposal game against St Kilda in round three.
How the voting system works
Head to fansmvp.afl.com.au/collingwoodfc/ and register your account. Then, assign three votes to the player you deem to be the best Collingwood player for the game, two votes to the second best player and one vote to the third best.
About the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award
The Magpie Army Player of the Year Award is received by the player deemed the most influential of the season by the Collingwood supporters each year.
In 2015, two tickets are on offer to the E.W. Copeland Trophy Dinner in October for those who cast their vote during the season.
The winner, selected at random, will be afforded the opportunity to present the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award to the winning player, plus receive a photograph with the winner following the presentation.
