AFL Team 1997-Now: Midfielders

[Matt79]

We are selecting 6 (SIX) midfielders only in this poll. Once we've filled other slots, we'll do a round of follow up polls to complete the remaining spots in the 22, and there will be a chance to add midfielders who miss out there.

Player profiles below. Apologies for the patchy data on All-Australian selection - couldn't find an easily searchable site where this data was held, so the data presented is the victim of Wikipedia's variable levels of detail.

1. Adam Goodes. Sydney
, 241 games, 249 goals. 1 Premiership (2005). 2 Brownlows (2003, 2006). Twice Sydney B&F (2003, 2006). All Australian (2006). 107 Career Brownlow votes.

2. Adam Simpson North Melbourne
. 300 games, 82 goals. 2 Premierships (1996, 1999). Kangaroos B&F (2002), All Australian (2002). Kangaroos Capt 2004- . 65 Career Brownlow votes.

3. Anthony Koutoufides. Carlton.
278 games, 226 goals. 1 Premiership (1995). Carlton B&F (2001, 2005), Twice All Australian (1995, 2000), Club Leading Goal Kicker (1997 – 28 goals.) Carlton Capt. 2004-2006. 82 Career Brownlow votes.

4. Anthony Stevens. North Melbourne. 1989-2004
292 games. 127 goals. 2 Premierships (1996, 1999), Kangaroos B&F (1997, 1999- Premiership Year), All Australian 1998. 62 Career Brownlow votes.

5. Ben Cousins West Coast Eagles/Richmond. 1996- Present
244 games. 207 goals. 1 Premiership (2006), Brownlow (2005), 4 time WCE B&F (2001-03, 2005), 6 time All Australian (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006). WCE Capt 2001-2005. 141 Career Brownlow votes.

6. Brent Harvey North Melbourne. 1996-Present.
269 games, 311 goals. 1 Premiership (1999). 3 time North B&F (2003, 2005, 2007), 4 time All Australian (2000, 2005, 2007, 2008), 125 Career Brownlow votes.

7. Chris Judd West Coast Eagles/Carlton. 2002-Present.
167 games. 161 goals. 1 Premiership (2006). Brownlow Medal (2004). Norm Smith Medal (2005). Three time All Australian (2004, 2006, 2008). Twice WCE B&F (2004, 2006 – Premiership Year), WCE Capt – 2006-07, Carlton Capt 2008- . 110 Career Brownlow votes.

9. Daniel Kerr West Coast Eagles. 2001-Present.
165 games. 96 goals. 1 Premiership (2006). All Australian (2007). 93 Career Brownlow votes.

10. Gary Ablett Jr Geelong. 2002-Present.
155 games. 204 goals. 1 Premiership (2007). All Australian (2007, 2008). Geelong B&F (2007 – Premiership year). Club Leading Goalkicker (2006 – 35 goals). 56 Career Brownlow votes.

11. James Hird Essendon. 1992-2007.
253 games, 343 goals. 2 Premierships (1993, 2000). Brownlow Medal (1996), Norm Smith (2000). All Australian 5 time Essendon B&F (1994, 1995, 1996, 2003 – Premiership Year, 2007), Essendon Capt 1998-2005. Club Leading Goalkicker (1995 – 47, 1996 – 39). 125 Career Brownlow votes.

12. Jimmy Bartel Geelong. 2002- Present.
144 games. 90 goals. 1 Premiership (2007). Brownlow Medal (2007). Twice All Australian (2007, 2008). 66 Career Brownlow votes.

13. Joe Misiti Essendon. 1992-2004.
236 games. 94 goals. 2 Premierships (1993, 2000). 45 Career Brownlow votes.

14. Josh Carr Port Adelaide/Fremantle. 2000-present.
196 games. 106 goals. 1 Premiership (2004). 32 Career Brownlow votes.

15. Mark Ricciuto Adelaide. 1993-2007.
312 games. 292 goals. 1 Premiership (1998). Brownlow Medal (2003). 8 time All Australian (1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). 3 time Adelaide B&F (1998, 2003, 2004). Adelaide Capt 2001-2007. Adelaide Leading Goal Kicker 2006 - 44 goals. 146 Career Brownlow votes.

16. Michael Voss Brisbane. 1992-2006. 289 games.
245 goals. 3 Premierships (2001, 2002, 2003). Brownlow Medal (1996). All Australian (Multiple). 3 time Brisbane B&F (2000, 2001 – Premiership Year, 2003 – Premiership Year). Brisbane Capt 1997-2006. 150 Career Brownlow Votes.

17. Nathan Buckley Brisbane/Collingwood. 1993-2007.
280 games. 284 goals. Brownlow Medal (2003). Norm Smith (2002). 4 Time All Australian (1996, 1997, 1998, 2001). 6 time Collingwood B&F (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003). Collingwood Capt 1999-2007. 178 Career Brownlow Votes.

18. Nick Stevens Port Adelaide/Carlton.
1998-Present. 224 games. 131 goals. 79 Career Brownlow Votes.

19. Nigel Lappin Brisbane. 1994-2008.
279 games. 174 goals. 3 Premierships (2001, 2002, 2003). Brisbane B&F 2004. Brisbane Co-Capt. 2007-08. 93 Career Brownlow Votes.

20. Paul Kelly. Sydney. 1990-2002.
234 games. 200 goals. Brownlow Medal (1995). All Australian (1995, 1996, 1997). Sydney B&F (1992,1993, 1996, 1997). 103 Career Brownlow Votes

21. Paul Williams Collingwood/Sydney. 1991-2006.
306 games. 307 goals. Premiership (2005). All Australian 2003. Sydney B&F 2001, 2002. 89 Career Brownlow Votes

22. Robert Harvey St. Kilda. 1988-2008.
383 games. 215 goals. Twice Brownlow Medal (1997-98). 8 times All Australian. StK B&F 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998. 215 Career Brownlow Votes (2nd highest all time – not sure who’s got more!).

23. Rohan Smith Bulldogs. 1992-2006.
300 games. 254 goals. Twice All Australian (1997, 2003). 45 Career Brownlow Votes.

24. Sam Mitchell Hawthorn. 2002-2009.
145 games. 25 goals. 1 Premiership (2008). Hawthorn Capt 2008- .70 Career Brownlow Votes.

25. Scott Burns Collingwood. 1995-2008.
264 games. 149 goals. Collingwood Capt. 2008. 36 Brownlow votes.

26. Scott West Bulldogs. 1993-2008.
324 games. 104 goals. 5 time Australian (1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006). 7 time Bulldog B&F (1995, 97, 98, 2000, 03-05). 175 Career Brownlow votes.

27. Shane Crawford Hawthorn. 1993-2008.
305 games. 224 goals. 1 Premiership (2008). Brownlow Medal (1999). 4 time All Australian. 4 time Hawthorn B&F. Hawthorn Capt. 1999-2004. 159 Career Brownlow votes. 2 World Records.

28. Shaun Hart Brisbane. 1990-2004.
273 games. 177 goals. 3 Premierships (2001, 2002, 2003). Norm Smith (2001). 32 Brownlow Medal votes.

29. Simon Black Brisbane. 1998-Present.
244 games. 148 goals. 3 Premierships (2001, 2002, 2003). Brownlow 2002. Norm Smith 2003. Three time All Australian (2001, 2002, 2004)Three time Brisbane B&F (2001, 2002 – both Premiership Years, 2006). Brisbane Co-Capt. 2007-08. 142 Career Brownlow Votes.

30. Simon Goodwin Adelaide. 1997-Present.
249 games. 157 goals. 2 Premierships (1997, 1998), All Australian (2000, 2001, 2005, 2006). Adelaide B&F (2000, 2005). Adelaide Capt. 2008- 62 Career Brownlow Votes.

8. Dane Swan. Collingwood. 2003-Present.
111 games. 65 goals. Collingwood B&F (2008). 43 Career Brownlow votes. (forgot to put him in in the poll initially, so edited down here to reflect the poll).

[pasag]

Buckley, Hird, Voss, Judd, Ablett & Harvey.

Tough on Kouta, Goodes and Cousins, but pretty easy decision in the end.

[Matt79]

Went Buckley, Voss, Judd, Harvey, Hird, and Ablett.

Ablett vs. Ricciuto or Cousins was the only tough choice at this stage, but given we'll likely have at least a couple more midfielders in the team, not too concerned at this point to be leaving out Roo, Cuz or Goodes.

[vic_orthdox]

In order that they appear on the selection sheet, I went Goodes, game breaker who has attributes not really shared by anyone on that list. Tall, fast, and pretty much without him Sydney would never have been in a position to win a final, let alone play in two grand finals.
I wanted a gut running outside midfielder, that no-one could run with, and Cousins is that man.
Chris Judd is Chris Judd. Don't think that he's the best midfielder of the past 10 years, but I'd argue that he's the most rounded. Provides the pace and breaks lines, as well as clearances, tackles and grunt.
For pure leadership, head over the ball and sledging, Voss; have him in at most centre bounces, and watch him collide and smash bodies up.
Buckley probably has the best shoe of any regular midfielder over the past 10 years, only really rivalled by a couple of guys who get fed the ball in the back third. Huge work ethic, and got to the right places to be fed the ball often enough to be damaging.
Want a guy who sets up others to round out my 6. Simon Black or Scott West were fighting it out, and Black brings everything to the table that West does, plus a better shoe and a provien record in finals.

I left out Hird as I don't think he's been one of the best midfielders per se, would have him on the half forward flank and give him license to go where he wants. Kouta is so good everywhere, tough to nanil him down, and Ablett has only given two years of service in the elite, and other guys play his role better IMO.

[Jono]

Adam Goodes
Everyone seems to hate him (at least here in Victoria) mainly because he's won 2 Brownlows and other stars haven't got one, but I love him. Such a unique midfielder, and the fact is, he can play the wing like no other player can do, because you can kick to him in a contest and back him to take the grab. Can also throw him in the ruck if your key ruckman goes down.

Ben Cousins
Was a battle between him and Harvey, but Cuz kicked more goals and was a tad bit more damaging. Its stiff on Harvs though, I feel horrible.

Chris Judd
The most well rounded midfielder I've ever seen. He's like the Sobers of the midfield.

Michael Voss
Need an inspiring player who will be under the packs, and also be there when the game needs to be won (see 2002 GF).

Nathan Buckley
The most consistent player on this list. Would rack up the possessions, and they'd all be efficient.

Mark Ricciuto
Was between him and Black, and I figured I'd have to go Roo. Gun, who could slam the ball from outside 50 on the run through the sticks like it was nothing. Tough nut as well, and I think he's done a tad bit more than Black in his career.

Black, Harvey and Ablett Jr stiff. In fact the minute I voted I felt like replacing someone with Ablett, but I think Ablett needs a few more years of being elite. Its 2.5 years so far, compared to Ricciuto who was every year from 1997-2004 at least, if not 2005 as well.

Hird a lock for the half-forward line.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Goodes
Cousins
Judd
Buckley
Voss
Crawford

[Hoggy31]

Hird, Ablett, Black
Judd, Buckley, Voss

[FaaipDeOiad]

Went with Harvey, Buckley, Voss, Ricciuto, Judd and Ablett.

Left Hird out since he'll be in across half-forward. Could probably throw Goodes in there to give the group a more realistic chance of all playing together, but I'm not sure any of them really deserve to be left out.

Almost went with Cousins over Ablett based on longevity as well, but I think Ablett is and will continue to be slightly better.

[Redbacks]

When Voss or Hird gets 18 possesions they can decide a match, Buckley and Harvey get 30+ and just end up a handy player on the day.

[Matt79]

That's a ridiculous comment - so much so, that I suspect I'm being baited, but anyway - would love you to point out matches where Buckley got 30 touches and was only handy. One of Buckley's strongest points was the effectiveness of his disposal.

[Redbacks]

Collingwood v Essendon, Round 5 2003, at the MCG

Hird 27 touches 5 goals BOG, Buckley 37 possesions and a goal. Dons won by 56 points

Hird and Voss were a class above all IMO and if they had 30+ possesions their side would almost certainly win the game.

[Matt79]

A match where Buckley got 2 Brownlow votes, ahead of Lloyd who kicked six and Cupido who kicked 5?

When three of the opposition forwards kick 5+, and Collingwood's main forwards in Rocca, Tarrant, and Molloy managed 1, 0, and 2 respectively, I think its fair to say that its ridiculous to suggest that it was inefficiency on the part of the one of only three guys (Burns and Licuria) who really stood up that led to his team getting smashed.

Think you're penalising Buckley there for at times having **** team mates. Having Lloyd and Lucas, or Brown and Lynch as your forwards, you're often going to look better than kicking it to Tarrant and Rocca, simply because those two are better marks, better kicks at goal, and better at getting into dangerous positions.