AFL: 1997-Present: Run Withs

[Matt79]

Here's the poll for the team's run-with man. I've included some stats with this, but obviously, as with the defenders' polls that are about to go up, stats are misleading sometimes here as it is often their opponents' stats that are more telling, and they aren't readily retrievable. Nonetheless, I've included tackles per match, and disposals per match (dpm) as two indicators not only of their defensive work, but also how much they contribute beyond playing a purely negating role. With Liber, I've included him, along with a breakdown of what he did from 1997 onwards.

Only ONE Run-with for now, but the runner up will be included in the final polls as we fill the last gaps.


1. Brady Rawlings. North Melbourne 1999-Present
191 games. 432 tackles. (2.3 p/m). 15.7 dpm. Twice Kangaroos B&F (2004, 2006)

2. Brett Kirk. Sydney. 1999-Present
206 games. 1088 tackles (5.3 p/m). 18.6 dpm. Premiership 2005. All Australian 2004. Sydney B&F 2005 (premiership year) and 2007.

3. Cameron Ling. Geelong. 2000-Present
191 games. 518 tackles (2.7 p/m). 21.2 dpm. Premiership 2007. All Australian 2007. Geelong B&F 2004.

4. Daniel Chick. Hawthorn/WCE 1996-2007
252 games. 825 tackles (3.3 p/m). 12.3 dpm. Premiership 2006. Hawthorn B&F 2000.

5. Jared Crouch Sydney. 12.5 dpm. 1998-Present
215 games. 595 tackles (2.8 p/m). Premiership 2005. League Record 194 consecutive games.

6. Kane Cornes. Port Adelaide 2001-Present
174 games. 502 tackles (2.9 p/m). 22.3 dpm. Premiership 2004. Twice All Australian 2004, 2007. Twice Port Adelaide B&F 2007, 2008.

7. Lenny Hayes. St Kilida. 1999-Present
203 games. 920 tackles (4.5 p/m). 21.3 dpm. Twice All Australian 2003, 2005. St Kilda B&F 2003.

8. Paul Licuria. Sydney/Collingwood 1997-2007
192 games. 492 tackles (2.6 p/m). 21.1 dpm. Collingwood B&F 2001, 2002.

9. Tony Liberatore. Footscray. 1986-2002.
283 games. 1225 tackles (4.3 p/m). 20.1 dpm. (110 games 97-2002, 3.9 tackles p/m). Brownlow Medal 1990. Bulldogs B&F 1991. Numerous state reps (back when it meant something).

[Redbacks]

Captain Kirk. An amazing tackle count, hayes is tempting but with a gun midfield his ball winning ability isn't so important. Therefore would take Kirk just ahead of Ling.

[Matt79]

Kirk for mine, by a bee's proverbial over Ling. The two modern prototypes of the run-with player. Hurt the opposition off their own boot/hand plenty, while making the opposition's best player's day miserable, week in week out.

Should add, the runner-up in this category will be included in the final polls.

[Jono]

Kirk, just over Kane Cornes for me.

I think Kornes is more versatile, but considering the midfield this team will have, Kirk (with his ridiculous tackles per match ratio) would be more useful, as we have enough ball winners.

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, has to be between Kirk and Ling.

Don't reckon Hayes is really a tagger, more a midfielder with a very good defensive mindset, Baker's always been the Saint who gets the "tagging" job, whereas Hayes goes head to head with his opponent.

Going with Kirk, such a popular man.

[Matt79]

Yeah, Baker might have been a better choice. Surprised (despite me voting for Kirk) that Kirk is smashing Ling so comprehensively. Thought I might be in the minority going for him.

[vic_orthdox]

I hadn't viewed the results, but was thinking of voting Ling after reading through the thread just to make sure that he's second and a chance of a bench spot.