Rather than adjudicate a 5-4-3-2-1 in votes for each game this season, I’ve opted to limit myself to only five votes for the entire round!
Now this will be very subjective and quite contentious, so I’m willing to expand every week with a few honourable mentions of which players were in my calculations, but stiff to miss.
My criteria isn’t necessarily based on the stats sheet, but all-round performances with extra credit given to a match-winning performance.
Mongrel faithful, it’s my pleasure to present to you: The 2023 Roundlow Medal
Round : 5
5 Votes – Tom Papley
Match winners didn’t come much bigger (in performance, not stature) this week than Tom Papley. I’m a self-confessed sucker for a forward who can both impact the scoreboard, and get up the ground and affect the game in more ways than just scoring goals. So to see Papley streaming down the wing, linking up play and hitting the centre bounces like a genuine midfielder earned the small forward my highest votes this week.
The highest achievement of the inaugural Gather Round was Tom Papley’s 25 disposals (half of those contested), an almost game-high 686 metres gained, kicking 6.2 with five clearances and two direct goal assists for the game. A stellar effort from the master celebrator.
4 Votes – Nick Daicos
I try and try to not be sucked into the media-driven hype around young talent, but strike me pink if Nick Daicos hasn’t transcended that exact furore and established himself as one of the premier ball movers, and most damaging players in the competition this season. I sat back with baited breath, waiting to see if everyone around me was just going the early crow (or should it be the early Magpie in this instance?), but in this very rare instance, the hype is totally justified.
Barring a freak injury or a drastic change in the way our game is played, this kid is going to be a good player for a bloody long time. Whilst St Kilda didn’t openly show their hand in trying to quell the impact of Daicos, the signs were clearly there that Ross the Boss’ renowned defensive structures would attempt to at least curb the 19 year old’s impact in some way, but they might as well have taken a feather and a hi-vis jacket to a gunfight.
3 Votes – Zak Butters
On a wet and drenching Saturday night at the height of Gather Round, Zak Butters looked to be made of oilskin whilst every other player around him was an ultra-absorbent cotton blend. Suffice to say, the Power mid played better in the sopping wet than many can only hope to on a picture-perfect day of sunshine.
Whilst his Bulldogs counterparts were slipping and sliding, especially in the final quarter, Butters just kept coming and coming and coming, eventually kicking a sealing goal in the dying minutes to ice what was an impressive showing, with all eyes firmly on South Australia for the week.
2 Votes – Jordan Dawson
This would have to have been one of Adelaide’s best wins of recent memory. Correct me if I’m wrong, Crows fans? Kicking eight of the first nine goals of the game to take a 38 point lead into quarter time, in the opening match of the inaugural Gather Round, hosted in your own state. Now that was impressive.
Whilst there were some brilliant efforts at both ends of the ground (I’m looking at you Tom Doedee and Darcy Fogarty), I just could not go past the brilliance of the Crows skipper to power on in the midfield against arguably the most talented midfield in the comp – at least on paper. The reigning Brownlow Medallist in Patrick Cripps was forced into a dogged night, whilst Dawson pounced on the opportunity and showed equal parts skill and leadership, exemplifying why he was named as captain this season.
1 Vote – Harry Himmelberg
This is one of those controversial calls that I allude to the possibility of each week. Whilst there were certainly dozens of other players in games this week that were ‘better’ than Harry Himmelberg, absolutely no-one this season can lay claim to a bonafide match-winning effort in the way that Himmelberg can, after single handedly ripping the hearts out of Hawthorn supporters in the dying minutes of the game.
With the clock ticking down, Himmelberg flew over Hawthorn captain James Sicily to clunk a terrific grab 30 metres out from goal, going back and sending the ball through the big sticks for a goal that put the Giants back in front with only 90-odd seconds left on the clock. As the Hawks surged back into their forward 50 in the dying seconds, Jarman Impey unleashes a monster kick from 50 metres which looks set to sail through and hand the Hawks a memorable last gasp win, only for the superhuman aerial efforts of Himmelberg to leap backwards at full stretch, taking a vertical slips catch at the absolute highest point that would make Ricky Ponting proud, scraping a finger to the ball and saving a certain goal in a way that not many could. A stellar finish to a game that was pencilled in prior as one to forget.
Leaderboard
9 – Jordan De Goey
8 – Jeremy Cameron
7 – Nick Daicos
7 – Chad Warner
5 – Marcus Bontempelli
5 – Charlie Cameron
5 – Luke Davies-Uniacke
5 – Tom Papley
3 – Zak Butters
3 – Nick Larkey
3 – Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
2 – Charlie Curnow
2 – Jordan Dawson
2 – Jason Horne-Francis
2 – Dylan Moore
2 – Dayne Zorko
1 – Harry Himmelberg
1 – Clayton Oliver
1 – Christian Petracca
1 – Kysaiah Pickett
1 – Izak Rankine
Comments
-Whilst no changes have occurred at the top of the table, Nick Daicos is making a beeline for Jeremy Cameron and teammate Jordan De Goey, who still sits atop of the votes at the conclusion of Round 5.
-Strangely, after five weeks there is no player left on four votes. Meaning each of the five players to receive four votes in the opening rounds have gone on to poll votes again elsewhere.
-Equally, no player that has received one or two votes across the opening five rounds has gone on to poll elsewhere this season.
-Only five clubs haven’t had a player receive votes yet, with 13 clubs sharing the 75 overall votes to this part of the season.
Honourable Mentions
Darcy Fogarty – Every week there are a couple of players that genuinely hurt me to exclude from the votes. This week, it was Darcy Fogarty. Taking into account the quality of their opposition, Fogarty and Walker absolutely dominated Carlton’s renowned back line. Tex marked everything that came his way, and Fogarty kicked a bag, making Adelaide’s tall forwards look just as unstoppable as their smalls have in recent weeks.
Caleb Serong – Unlucky to make the cut, Caleb Serong had his best game of the season and completely took control against a talented Suns midfield. One thing that impressed me watching Serong as an opposition supporter was his leadership. Seeing the 22 year old instructing teammates and directing traffic, especially when his side trailer late in the game was a huge factor in the Dockers winning, and improving on their 1-3 record.
David Swallow – There is not a lot more the ‘Spitter’ could have done in an effort to get his team over the line. Playing his usual under-the-radar role in the midfield, but still popping up for three first half goals, Swallow set the tone early and was a key factor in the Suns taking a four goal lead into half time.
Liam Baker – Yet another player that couldn’t have done much more in an attempt to will his side to win, Baker became one of my favourite opposition players to watch in the past couple of seasons, and this game is a perfect example as to why. It was the Swans kicking six of the last seven goals of the game that buried the Tigers, up until then Richmond were still very much in the game, especially in the third quarter when a flurry of goals saw the Swans margin reduced to less than a kick.
Joe Daniher – Since some scathing criticism after Round 1, Big Joe has gone on to kick 11 goals in three games, including a bag of 5.3 against a hapless Kangaroos on the weekend. There is perhaps no player in the league that personifies the great words of the immortal Slim Dusty – “You’ve got to drink the froth to get the beer.”, quite like Joe Daniher, but this game was definitely all beer with very little head.
Lachie Neale – Taking into account the lack of punch from the opposition, Lachie Neale looked unstoppable, as he led the Lions midfield to a raucous romp over North Melbourne. With 11 disposals in each of the first three quarters, Neale seemed to take the foot off late in the game, but by then the damage was ultimately done.
Zach Merrett – Don’t crucify me, Bombers fans. Unfortunately with Brad Scott’s style of play, there just isn’t the same level of standout individual performance that you’ve become accustomed to in recent years. This isn’t actually a bad thing. It’s hard to split the efforts of half a dozen players, which means whilst your side is unlikely to achieve votes for individual brilliance, your side will hopefully continue to achieve success as a team that’s working together, with many players putting in solid, equal efforts. In saying all that, Zach Merrett was a cut above against the premiership favourites of many, Melbourne.
Sam Draper – I can’t begin to describe just how close Sam Draper was to getting a vote this week. Essendon totally outplayed and totally out-coached the Demons, and it was highlighted by a brutal tag team in the ruck of Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips. Draper’s three goals and relentless pressure around the ground as a marking target and ruckman rotating forward was sublime.
Tim English – Another big man that threw his weight around, English is proving this season that his name belongs amongst the best ruckmen in the competition. After totally outplaying both Jeremy Finlayson and Scott Lycett in the ruck, it seemed only third option Charlie Dixon could match it with English, but that didn’t stop the Bulldog from coming out on top and giving his mids first crack at the ball.
Jeremy Cameron – It feels almost sacrilege to leave Cameron out of the votes, but given the decimation of the Eagles team once again this season, I think most expected Jezza to kick more than his 4.1 he walked away with. Regardless of expectation, Cameron and Hawkins teamed up for eight goals and looked more like the premiership partnership up forward from last year than at any other point this season.
Jake Waterman – Credit where it is due. Despite the onfield disadvantages, despite coming up against the reigning premiers, despite goals raining down against his side, Jake Waterman stood up both in the forward line and further up the ground. Partnering with Oscar Allen to kick 4.1 apiece, given the circumstances, I was actually impressed by the functionality of the Eagles forward line against a tough opponent, especially considering the Cats had kicked 17 of 19 goals in a row, the Eagles first out and finished the game strongly.
Toby Greene – The Giants captain was overshadowed by the heroics of Harry Himmelberg, but his four quarter effort is not to be denied. I still have Greene as the best small forward in the competition. As much as a wrap as Tom Papley received this week, including from myself, that’s the kind of effort we see regularly from Greene.
Jai Newcombe – Could not have done much more in an agonisingly close finish that went the way of the opposition. Newcombe, along with James Worpel, matched it with the Giants midfield and was a key reason why the Hawks were able to get on top for portions of the game.
Callum Wilkie – Did somebody say KFC? No? I must have misheard. Did somebody say this guy is one of the best intercept defenders in the game? Oh yeah. I heard that one right.
Round : 6
5 Votes – Charlie Cameron
In the words of Sandy Roberts: What more can you say? Charlie Cameron now sits third in the Brownlow Medal race, trailing second placed Charlie Curnow by a single goal. The mercurial small forward was relentless against the Giants, kicking 7.2 including a contender for Goal of the Year.
This time last year, Cameron kicked a bag of four to take his season tally to 12 goals, before going on to kick 54 for the season. Sitting on 20 goals heading into Round 7, Charlie is on track to top his career best efforts of last season. That’s a whole lot of John Denver echoing through the stands to which you’ll hear no complaint from me!
4 Votes – Nick Daicos
It is simply impossible not to recognise this player. Before the season even started, I promised myself that I wouldn’t get sucked into the hype and that I would strive to make fair and conscious votes on who I honestly felt deserved them, regardless of what the media tells me to believe. But to us frankly, this kid is simply That. Damn. Good.
After the first half I honestly believed that Nick’s 20 disposals hadn’t really punished the Bombers, and that it may be one of those high number games that don’t equate to much. WRONG! Daicos continued to turn up the pressure as the game went on, getting on the end of a couple of goals and setting up numerous others, on his way to another 40+ disposal game, earning himself the Anzac Medal on the way. His ability is undeniable, and I was left with no choice but to award him the four votes this week. Pipped only just by Charlie Cameron.
3 Votes – Marcus Bontempelli
I feel like the Bulldogs skipper is somewhat unlucky to not have more votes. At the end of the year I plan to do an award for the player who receives the most Honourable Mentions in this article throughout the year, and without doing the maths, my current bet is that Bont would have to be a frontrunner.
The Dockers midfield didn’t look horrible, but the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar absolutely took them to task, especially when the game was on the line. It was 31 disposals (18 contested), ten tackles, eight clearances, five intercepts, a couple of contested marks and two goals to boot that sold me on Bontempelli this week. The Bulldogs have a skipper that leads from the front, and puts the hard yards in when the game is there to be won.
2 Votes – Connor Rozee
Rozee was awarded the Badcoe Medal for best on ground in Port’s Anzac Appeal match, named after South Australian Victorian Cross recipient Major Peter Badcoe. It was a stellar game from Rozee, as the new era of Port Adelaide’s midfield is ushered in, we’re beginning to see the rise of Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma and Jason Horne-Francis as the future of Power’s midfield, taking the mantle from ageing stars such as Ollie Wines and Travis Boak.
Despite the Eagles attempting to claw their way back into the game in the second half, Rozee matched it with the absolute best that veterans Tim Kelly, Andrew Gaff and at time Luke Shuey threw at him, with the Port mid’s classiness and fine finish making all the difference as Port built an early lead and held on late in the game to win comfortably.
1 Vote – Jeremy Cameron
Another five goal haul takes Jeremy Cameron to 27 goals this season. Averaging 4.5 goals per game, the deadly forward is on track for a bumper season, and perhaps one of the highest scoring years we’ve seen from a forward for many a season.
With the justified hype around Nick Daicos hitting all new levels of craziness, it’s refreshing to see a tall forward competing for his rightful plaudits, with some in the media going as far as to suggest that Cameron may be a chance for the illusive double of a Brownlow and a Coleman Medal.
Leaderboard
11 – Nick Daicos
10 – Charlie Cameron
9 – Jeremy Cameron
9 – Jordan De Goey
8 – Marcus Bontempelli
7 – Chad Warner
5 – Luke Davies-Uniacke
5 – Tom Papley
3 – Zak Butters
3 – Nick Larkey
3 – Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
2 – Charlie Curnow
2 – Jordan Dawson
2 – Jason Horne-Francis
2 – Dylan Moore
2 – Connor Rozee
2 – Dayne Zorko
1 – Harry Himmelberg
1 – Clayton Oliver
1 – Christian Petracca
1 – Kysaiah Pickett
1 – Izak Rankine
Comments
-Ring-a-Ding, we have a new king. Charlie Cameron overtakes Jordan De Goey to assume the lead by a single vote! Oh what a twist to Round 6 is this? Wait a minute. Wait just a damned minute. What is this? Ohh Gawd. It’s Nick Daicos. Nick Daicos out of nowhere! Swoops in with an RKO out of nowhere to earn the four votes and steal top peg off Charlie Cameron. In shades of Edge at New Year’s Revolution of 2006, Daicos has stolen Cameron’s crown under the most dramatic of circumstances.
-Interestingly, once again nobody on two votes is able to secure any more votes, leaving us with six players stranded on two.
-Jeremy Cameron has broken the aforementioned pattern when it comes to single vote-getters, by only earning one vote this week to further add to his tally.
-As I alluded to above in a shameless wrestling reference, Charlie Cameron assumed the mantle as leader for all of the few minutes that it took me to write Nick Daicos’ bio, and assign the 19 year old four votes for this round.
Honourable Mentions
Jack Viney – On this week’s episode of Who Was The Stiffest To Miss… I had Jack Viney in my shortlist for votes right up until the final edit. Melbourne’s hard nut was a deserved winner of the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes
Steele Sidebottom – It’s funny how some players just have a bunny team. Steele Sidebottom may be in the back end of his career, and has been serviceable on a wing this season, but every time Anzac Day rolls around, he just seems to look 22 again. Bombers fans must long for his and Scott Pendlebury’s retirements.
Andrew McGrath – ‘Pidge’ was never a chance for votes, but definitely earned a mention for his underrated defensive work on Anzac Day. It’s funny what playing a player in their natural position does, hey?
Jacob van Rooyen – A true in-game redemption story. After only registering three handballs and a kick to three quarter time, including a stat-less third quarter, the second year Demon became The Man in the final quarter. Coming from the clouds, kicking three goals and taking a high-flying mark to help propel his side to the win.
Jack Riewoldt – Eight goals and twelve stitches in the past two weeks, his has been vintage Jack Riewoldt. In what many are saying may be Jack’s last season, we’re seeing this Tiger legend potentially going out with a bang.
Adam Treloar – Part of the spark that buried the Dockers, Treloar capitalised on the opposition’s fascination with roughing up former teammate Rory Lobb, storming into an unmanned goal on his way to two goals from his 35 disposals.
Tim Taranto – One of the offseason’s big name recruits, Tim Taranto was involved in everything in his side’s hefty loss to the Swans, benefiting from the return of Jayden Short.
Sam Walsh – Carlton just couldn’t get it together against the Saints. Their midfield dominated possession but couldn’t make it count. Their forwards dominated for parts but couldn’t put the damage on the scoreboard. Sam Walsh looks to have slotted straight back into the thick of this enviably talented midfield.
Luke Ryan – One of a few shining lights in a dogged night for the Dockers. Luke Ryan’s effort behind the ball stemmed the flow at times and rebounded the ball back through the midfield where most of the damage was subsequently done.
Jack Sinclair – A rare foray into the midfield this week further propelled Sinclair’s credentials. The undersung defender hasn’t received the plaudits he did last year, but is thriving nonetheless under Ross Lyon.
Taylor Walker – Eleven goals in three weeks including four on the weekend, Walker is in rare, vintage form. The Magpies at Adelaide Oval this Sunday will be an enormous test.
Stephen Coniglio/Josh Kelly – I ultimately lumped these two together because I was fairly certain none were actually going to receive votes, but in the absence of ball magnet Tom Green, these two Giants stood tall in the midfield, especially during the second half comeback.
Jeremy Finlayson – Five goals, two behinds from the forward-cum-ruckman in a colossal display at Adelaide Oval. West Coast used numerous defenders, but none could quell Finlayson who was reliable with at least a goal in every quarter.
Bailey Williams – The Eagles ruckman is having a better season than what’s currently being recognised by most. Going up against Brynn Teakle, Williams won plenty of the ball and controlled possession when playing in the back line.
Tim English – The Bulldogs ruck tackled Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson alone, and I felt he came out with the choccies. English feels like he’s one of two games away from an absolute behemoth of a game. Teams with weak forward lines: beware! I’m looking at you next week, Hawthorn.
Ben King – The star forward’s best return since returning himself from a season-ending knee injury, Ben King bagged five goals in his side’s timely win over the Kangaroos, taking their season tally to 2-4.
Jai Newcombe – Newcombe was in and under everything against the Crows. Tackling at will and winning his own ball, the Hawks can’t be far off another win after two close finishes in the past two weeks.
Tom Hawkins – Hawkins and Cameron have now kicked 27 goals between them in the last three weeks. After 4.1 each against the Swans last week, an Essendon side with injuries to the backline and a five day break coming off Anzac Day could be rich pickings for the premiership forwards.
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