In-form Crow Brodie Smith scored a perfect 10 from the coaches for his performance against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Smith showed, once again, why he’s one of the most improved players in the competition. The skilful defender helped set up Adelaide’s attack from the back half. He gained more metres than any other player on the ground (525) and racked up 29 touches, nine marks, six rebound 50ms and four inside 50ms. Smith also kicked a trademark long, running goal and assisted in another goal.
Smith was one of seven players to receive maximum coaches votes in Round 13. The 22-year-old super boot has now polled 28 votes this season – second only to Patrick Dangerfield (32) at Adelaide.
Evergreen onballer Scott Thompson earned seven votes from Brenton Sanderson and Brad Scott. Thompson amassed 30 (or more) disposals for the fifth time this season and also worked hard defensively, laying a game-high nine tackles. He won seven clearances, took five marks and sent his team inside 50m on four occasions. The two-time Crows Club Champion was also involved in more scores (12) than any Adelaide player on Saturday night.
Get a fullstatistical breakdown in By the Numbers
Hard-running midfielder Rory Sloane collected four votes against the Kangaroos. Sloane gathered 25 possessions (at 88 per cent efficiency), eight marks, three rebound 50ms, three inside 50ms and one goal assist.
Talls James Podsiadly and Daniel Talia each received two votes. Talia held Roos forward Drew Petrie, who kicked four goals the previous week, to a solitary goal. Podsiadly was effective at both ends of the ground. The Geelong premiership player was involved in 10 Adelaide scores, including two goals off his own boot. He hauled in eight marks and collected 19 possessions. He generated five inside 50ms and three rebound 50ms and ranking second for metres gained by a Crow behind Smith.
Livewire Eddie Betts, who was also involved in 10 scores, attracted one vote. Betts sparked the home side, kicking three first-half goals including a goal of the year contender from the boundary. He also laid four tackles and won two forward half clearances.
North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey, who finished with 31 possessions and two goals after wearing down opponent Rory Laird, earned three votes. Kangaroos onballer Levi Greenwood (one vote) rounded out the voting.
Despite only polling one vote on the weekend, Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett remains at the top of the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award with 64 votes. Swan Josh Kennedy didn’t make up any ground in Round 13 but is still entrenched in second spot. Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray (56 votes) has jumped into third spot overall ahead of Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury. Dangerfield (32) is Adelaide’s best vote-getter in 2014.
Adelaide vs North Melbourne
10 Brodie Smith (Adel)
7 Scott Thompson (Adel)
4 Rory Sloane (Adel)
3 Brent Harvey (NM)
2 James Podsiadly (Adel)
2 Daniel Talia (Adel)
1 Eddie Betts (Adel)
1 Levi Greenwood (NM)
Round 13 Leaderboard
64 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
57 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
56 Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
52 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
46 Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
43 Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
41 Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
41 Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
38 Joel Selwood (Geelong)
37 Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
37 Matthew Priddis (West Coast)
Past AFLCA Crows voting
Round 12
Round 11
Round 10
Round Nine
Round Seven
Round Six
Round Five
Round Four
Round Three
Round Two
Round One
