It’s back! Andrew Wiles and Matt Trewhella have come together to collaborate on the top 50 players from the QAFL in 2016.
This year, each player wasn’t ranked by their kicks marks and handballs each game, but rather their overall influence, their ability to change a game, and whether or not they were a match winner.
To qualify, they had to have played three QAFL games this year, the same qualification system used for the finals.
Each day this week we will be releasing another ten players, before we get to the top 10 on Friday.
Today is the penultimate list, with players ranked 20-11.
To view 50-41, click HERE
To view 40-31, click HERE
To view 30-21, click HERE
#20 Matt Logan (Morningside)
What Cyril is to the Hawks, Logan is to the Panthers. Deft touches, accurate left foot and pressure around the footy. Featuring in the best on 10 occasions, Logan also represented the state against WA. He averages a goal a game and was played in many different roles this year after some time away from footy last year. Can burst through a pack without being tackled like few others.
#19 Jake Goldsmith (Labrador)
Not the biggest recruit for Labrador this year but was a big reason for their improved form heading into finals. Played the third tall role better than most with his aerial marking a feature. Goldy was in the best 11 times and no more important than his two best on grounds in the first two finals. Good luck stopping him when he sticks those long leavers up.
#18 Alastair Nash (Morningside)
The 2015 Morningside Best and Fairest winner was the Panthers most important player this year. Why? Because when they were missing a stack of personnel in the middle of the year, he had to absorb a heap of punishment. We all know how hard Nashy goes in for the footy, but he is a really important cog in the Panthers’ wheel in attack. Never fails to find space right in the centre of the ground when they are loading up from the back half, and takes a good grab above his head.
#17 George Hannaford (UQ)
Injury hit George hard this year only managing 11 games, but he started the year off in scintillating form. George polled in the best in every game before a hamstring injury ended his Representative game early and hampered his season. The hulking midfield/forward is one of the hardest match ups in the league due to his size and aerobic capacity. The question on everyone’s lips is – will George remain in the QAFL next year?
#16 Andrew Smith (Mt Gravatt)
A durable player who was consistent all year but when it mattered he stamped his presence in games and was a protagonist in the Vultures regaining their finals spot. Played the season as the lone ruckman and fed the Hamill brothers hit outs to advantage all year. Was very impressive in the State game and was a leader amongst the group.
#15 Cal Carseldine (Western Magpies)
Cal was as impressive this year as he was in his triumphant win in last year’ Grogan Medal win. Any criticism last year came from the finals series when not many Magpies fired – not this year. Either first or second best on ground in the finals highlighted his fantastic season. Team of the year again and a solid contributor in the state game in difficult conditions.
#14 Jackson Emblem (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Jackson who? Only the inner sanctum would have known the potential of the agile key defender and this year he repaid the faith shown in him. He was brilliant down back in the resurgent Lions year which almost netted a premiership. Led the young defenders and was damaging rebounding off half back. Was in the best a massive 14 out of 20 games and earned a well-deserved State team guernsey and Team of the Year nod.
#13 Flinn Chisholm (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Explosive, quick, clean, strong hands, we can’t believe how much Chisholm has flown under the radar this year. The former VFL and Geelong Footy League player took a few weeks to acclimatise to Queensland footy upon his arrival this year, but once he did, he was sublime. More often than not you would see him ripping balls out of congestion, before running away from the pack as if everyone else was wearing lead boots. He is a jet.
#12 Jarryd Douglas (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Took the league by storm in his first year at QAFL level. The former VFL forward was one of the hardest match ups in the competition and was extremely damaging on the scoreboard, finishing with 65 goals. Affectionately known as “Yak” the power forward averaged 3.25 goals per game and always took one of the best defenders. His shoulder injury he suffered in the first final may have been the achillies heel in his team’s quest for a flag, such was his influence.
#11 Josh Baxter (Labrador)
Missed the leading goal kicker award by two goals in another dominant season, capped off by another premiership for the skilful forward. His impact in games is huge, he kicks bags when they count, averaging four goals per game. He has the best midfield in the competition kicking to him but he is one of the hardest players to match up and nullify one on one.
By Andrew Wiles and Matt Trewhella
