The 2015 footy season might be over, but the analysis doesn’t stop.
AFL Queensland Community Football Writer Andrew Wiles, and Wilston Grange Coach Matt Trewhella (who only ranked non Wilston Grange players to remain objective) have put together their Top 50 QAFL Players of 2015.
Each day this week, ten players will be released, starting at number 50, working all the way down to number one on Friday.
These players were judged and ranked by three categories:
- Influence
- What has each player’s impact on games been like? How much did they impose themselves, and how much of a difference did they directly make throughout the year?
- Ability to change a game
- Have they been able to turn a game around themselves and shift momentum? It may have been by a few marks, their disposal, goals, or shutting an opposition player down.
- Consistency
- How often were they good? Was it just a couple of games, or have they done it all year
Today see’s players 50-41 named. Log back on tomorrow to see the 40-31 ranked players.
#50, Matt Dillon (Broadbeach)
Position: Back/Midfield
Time in best: 9
Goals: 4
Influence
The ultimate swingman. Dillon has the ability to play in almost every position on the ground from key position, inside mid, or wingman. He has a high level endurance and a wealth of premiership experience. Knows how to win them.
Ability to change a game
His ability to play in multiple positions gives Broadbeach flexibility during games to put this utility wherever he can influence the game. If there is an area of the game that needs to be own, you’ll find Dillon in there.
Consistency
Nine times in the best and played every game for the season including their unsuccessful final highlights his durability.
#49, Ben Beaven (Sandgate)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 13
Goals: 10
Influence
Beaven is a ball magnet. He won games for Sandgate off his own boot through his output and leadership on the field. He gave a very young squad fantastic direction all year.
Ability to change a game
Beaven is an aggressive player who loves to compete and always plays on the oppositions best players. Anyone doubting his skills needs to check out his spectacular goal in an Almost Football Legends cameo, which was featured on the Footy Show.
Consistency
A massive 13 times in the best from 16 games shows his influence for the Hawks. One of the first picked every week.
#48 Tom Thorsen (Labrador)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 9
Goals: 12
Influence
The lad from country Victoria did a lot of the in and under work for the Tigers through the middle this year, and did it really well. Was also able to be a dangerous option roving off the Tigers tall timber in the forward 50. Reads the play like a book.
Ability to change a game
When the Tigers’ needed someone to burry themselves under a pack and change the flow of the game, Thorsen went to work. Worth his weight in gold through the stoppages.
Consistency
Hard pressed to find an average game of Thorsen’s this year. He isn’t the flashiest or the quickest, has a bit of a Dane Swan like running style, but he is a hard worker who you know what you’re going to get out of week in week out.
#47 Frazer Neate (Mt Gravatt)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 6
Goals: 8
Influence
Didn’t have the influence he did last year but still regarded as a key target by opposition clubs when preparing to play against the Vultures. Shouldered a lot of the midfield responsibility with the absence of some quality mids, but also helped mentor a lot of upcoming players including the QAFL Rising Star, Todd Carbone.
Ability to change a game
In the few wins the Vultures had this year, Neate featured heavily. When the team are up and running he is always amongst the score involvements. Lead from the front all year, and definitely doesn’t mind copping a few hits for the greater good.
Consistency
Played 17 games for the year mainly in the midfield and without a lot of support from the lighter younger players, but still managed to get his hands on the pill.
#46 Ryan Agita (Surfers Paradise)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 6
Goals: 2
Influence
One half of the Surfers dynamic duo, alongside Cassidy Haberfield this year. He did a lot of the grunt work for Surfer Paradise, but also had very good length in his game, running to both ends of the ground to help out
Ability to change a game
When Agita is on, he shows most a clean set of heels. He wins his own footy, is explosive off the mark, breaks lines, and gets the ball moving the Demons’ way.
Consistency
He had a bit of a slow start to the year, but his purple patch between rounds 8 to 16 showed how damaging and dangerous he could be. Look out once the youngster gets another pre-season under his belt.
#45 Ryan Dienjes (Broadbeach)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 8
Goals: 7
Influence
Made the move to Broadbeach after a successful career at Surfers and didn’t disappoint. Can win his own ball, sets up from behind and is damaging going forward, and as we all know, loves a goal.
Ability to change a game
Played in various roles this year due to his skill, but his best work was done setting up behind the footy and propelling the Cats forward. Doesn’t need high possession games to hurt opposition teams as his skills can create something out of nothing. One of the longest kicks in the competition, who opens the game up by foot.
Consistency
Played every game for the Cats and no doubt his increase in form in the middle of the year was a catalyst for the late season charge towards finals. Barometer.
#44 Ben Hancock (Broadbeach)
Position: Centre Half Forward
Time in best: 4
Goals: 17
Influence
Was in and out of the team due to NEAFL commitments with Southport but was a dominant player down forward playing in the hardest position on the field. Was superb against Morningside in the do-or-die game in Round 18.
Ability to change a game
Hancock is near unstoppable one on one. It’s no coincidence that Taylor Hayley kicked goals when Hancock was playing. A strong key position player who always creates a contest for his small forwards and hard running Cats.
Consistency
Only played 10 games from a possible 19 but kicked goals in all but two games.
#43 Doug Lawrence (Western Magpies)
Position: Full Back
Time in best: 12
Goals: 1
Influence
The young defender who has done a tough apprenticeship at full back now demands respect from opposition teams. Hard to body up against, spoils well and supports his top class defensive teammates. One of the revelations of the year in 2015.
Ability to change a game
Played on some of the best forwards in the league every week. His improved performance coincided with his teams rise to second on the ladder. Will only get better with experience as he develops his running game, but never looked out of place on some of the monsters in the competition.
Consistency
Playing in the negating role of full back doesn’t normally get you the accolades it deserves, but such was his influence he featured in the best 12 out of 20 times.
#42 Blake Bantoft (Labrador)
Position: Full Back
Time in best: 6
Goals: 0
Influence
In a team dominated with high profile recruits and star local players, the big backman was a rock down back. Extremely good and spoiling, he plays his support role perfectly and is only beaten when delivery to his opponent is spot on.
Ability to change a game
When his team is overwhelmed or under pressure it’s not his ability with the ball that changes the game but his negating qualities, which stops opposition from taking marks inside 50. Won the battle with Abey in the three times they played on each other. Doesn’t demand much of the spotlight but was a vital cog in the Tigers wheel this year.
Consistency
Ever reliable all year, Bantofft played 20 games, building nicely as the year went on. His consistency allowed the Tigers’ defence a lot more freedom.
#41 Tom Overington (Sandgate)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 16
Goals: 11
Influence
The best ball user in his club with his high quality left foot, Overington is the general in the Sandgate midfield, and is definitely a bit of a pest as well. Got fit in the off-season and reaped the rewards with a spot in the coveted Team of the Year.
Ability to change a game
His stoppage work is first class and gets out of trouble with his left foot. Was best on ground against all of the top teams and got the Hawks over the line in their breakthrough wins.
Consistency
Only one player in the QAFL had more best on grounds than Tommy O. Says it all really. Took his game to a new level and being a young leader he is on the way to carving out a successful career in the QAFL.
By Andrew Wiles and Matt Trewhella
