We are at the pointy end now. Today’s installment of the QAFL Top 50 Players of 2015 sees those ranked 20-11 announced.
Tune in tomorrow to see the top ten, and who will be named number 1.
Too see 50-41, click HERE
To see 40-31, click HERE
To see 30-21, click HERE
#20 Bill Hicks (Labrador)
Position: Midfield/Wing
Time in best: 9
Goals: 4
Influence
Billy the kid from country Victoria. When Hicks tucked the ball under the arm, few could go with him. He provided the Tigers with a lot of run and spark this year from the outside. Hasn’t got the most attractive kick in the game, but they hit targets. Loves his left side.
Ability to change a game
Hicks announced himself to the competition in Labrador’s round 6 win over Morningside. From that point, his run, dash, and confidence to take it on broke games open.
Consistency
The last two months were Hicks’ best. His run in that period was vital to the Tigers locking up top spot.
#19 Alastair Nash (Morningside)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 13
Goals: 8
Influence
Nash isn’t just the larrikin in the Panthers rooms, he can seriously play. He is a ball magnet who is also strong overhead, and happy to run back with the flight. Might not be the cleanest player at times, but is the grunt man for a lot of the Panthers link up work.
Ability to change a game
If you were to do a heat map on Nash’s movements through a game, there wouldn’t be a blade of grass he hasn’t touched. Wins the footy in the middle, runs down back to help out, and then puts his skates on and becomes dangerous up forward. If there is a 50/50 to be won, Nash is usually right there.
Consistency
Nash’s consistency this year was summed up perfectly by taking out the Morningside Best and Fairest, where he polled in every game bar one.
#18, Matt Trewhella (Wilston Grange)
Position: Forward
Time in best: 4
Goals: 18
Influence
When the Gorillas needed someone to throw themself into the heat of a game, Trewhella stood up. Whether it was winning the contested ball, kicking goals, or locking down on someone down back, he was able to assert himself on the game when it needed to be done most.
Ability to change a game
Look no further than round 15 against UQ for proof of this. With UQ refusing to go away, Trewhella went forward after quarter-time to bag seven goals, and hand the Gorillas the win.
Consistency
Injuries through the middle of the year put the brakes on momentarily, but his beginning and end of the year proved just how dangerous he can be across the entire ground. Missing a few months is the only reason he isn’t higher
#17 Luke Scott (Western Magpies)
Position: Defence/Forward
Time in best: 8
Goals: 10
Influence
The king of setting up behind the ball. Scott, the best swingman in the competition, reads the ball as good as anyone, and creates a lot by foot.
Ability to change a game
Scott played his best footy this year when he was able to float around half-back. His intercept marks have been critical at times this year, especially in the last quarter against Morningside in round 10. Changes the tempo of the game when the ball is in his hands.
Consistency
Battled an ankle injury early in the year, but returned strongly, especially though the middle of the year where he was unstoppable.
#16 Kent Abey (Morningside)
Position: Full Forward
Time in best: 4
Goals: 79
Influence
Could turn a game on its head in a five-minute period. Becoming the longest serving Morningside player certainly didn’t stop him being an influence all year. Lost his kicking boots for a few weeks late in the year, but overall, was still one of the dominate big men.
Ability to change a game
The big fella wound back the clock in this year’s finals series, especially early. He clunked absolutely everything that came his way in the first three weeks, hit up at the ball well, and crashed packs. Exactly what you want your big forward doing.
Consistency
Played all 22 games this year, and kicked goals in every single one of them. Was rightfully selected in the Team of the Year, and only just got pipped on the Ray Hughson Medal.
#15 Chris Ryan (Labrador)
Position: Centre Half-Back
Time in best: 9
Goals: 5
Influence
The premier key defender in the competition went from an unknown to a star very, very quickly. Had a massive influence in his first year playing QAFL footy, and is an exceptionally hard to match up on. Can play tall and small, has terrific skills and supports his other defenders.
Ability to change a game
Probably doesn’t have the direct impact of the players ahead of him, but his strengths are his ability to smother someone all afternoon, as well as his consistency. Rarely plays poorly and makes minimal skill errors.
Consistency
Ryan played the majority of the year, stringing 20 games together including making the Team of the Year at centre half-back.
#14 Todd Bryant (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 12
Goals: 11
Influence
If the game was a scrap, Toddy licked his lips and went to work. He might not have the biggest frame behind him, but what he does have is a hell of a lot of ticker. Bryant was the contested ball king down at Salk Oval this year.
Ability to change a game
The tighter the game was, the more dangerous Bryant became. When the Lions needed someone to get their hands dirty, cop a few knocks, and get it moving, he was the man.
Consistency
You’d struggle to find a game where he didn’t have an influence. His output week in week out allows the outside runners to get in the game.
#13 Adam Baird (Labrador)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 7
Goals: 10
Influence
Not the flashiest player in the comp, probably not going to take mark of the year, but gee he is valuable. Baird was unreal in 2015 through the guts. Inside, outside, there wasn’t much he didn’t do. Has an innate ability of getting his hands on the football when he looks out of it.
Ability to change a game
Proved just how deadly he can be in round 15 against Morningside. Like an elite dodgeball player, Baird slips out of tackles and finds space where few can, which opens the game right up and gets the ball rolling in the Tigers direction.
Consistency
Played a very important role week in, week out for the Tigers. His value was proven by how much his team missed him in their round 16 loss to Grange.
#12 Bradie Foster (Wilston Grange)
Position: Ruck
Time in best: 9
Goals: 10
Influence
Silver service. That’s what he gave the Gorillas midfield all year. Foster jumped up as the top dog in the QAFL ruck battle this year. His tap work was supreme, but he also moves well, being an option up forward when he pushes down.
Ability to change a game
First use. It’s that simple. The Gorillas midfield group were able to achieve what they did this year because Foster was putting it down their throat.
Consistency
Rolled around like a well-oiled machine this year, putting together 19 games, and being selected as the ruckman in the Team of the Year.
#11 Aden Rutledge (Sandgate)
Position: Midfield/Forward
Time in best: 5
Goals: 16
Influence
The human wrecking ball. Rutledge took his game to a new level in 2015. He showed no care for his own well being when going for the ball, but was poised and skillful enough to use it well when he got his hands on it.
Ability to change a game
You’d love three of him; one in each section of the ground. Looked the most dangerous playing up forward this year. Too strong to out body, but quick enough to burn you on the lead.
Consistency
Rutledge started the year like a house on fire. He was the go to man to give the Hawks some drive. A groin injury late in the piece slowed him down, but had an outstanding year.
By Andrew Wiles and Matt Trewhella
