No, not hot as in good looking. Mrs Mongrel would have demanded Matt Rowell be ranked number one, if that were the case.
She’s a sick, sick woman.
Back when I started The Mongrel Punt, I got this idea that I could compile a rolling player rating formula that was geared toward finding the most in-form players in the competition, whilst respecting the body of work they had compiled over the entire season.
It was called ‘The Mongrel 50’ and I did enjoy the concept…
… right up until someone called it the Player Power Rankings when they shared it, and from that point on, I hated it, and stopped it.
For the record, Power Rankings are little more than a person’s opinion – there is no real method to it; just one bloke sitting there and going “You know, Melbourne are good again but are still 11th. I might bump them up to fifth, because I like them now.”
In short, it’s bullshit, and I hated it… so I stopped doing the player version.
But there was merit to it, and there was even a formula behind it. Hell, we even had defenders leading it at stages.
It’s been over three years, but screw it… I’m bringing it back, so you can all tell me how wrong I have it.
So, how does it work?
Right, we employ a weighting system that reflects players who are both surging, and have a good body of work behind them. It allows for a lot of movement within the rankings, and can see players make huge runs based on four weeks of really good footy. The most recent four weeks have the highest weighting.
The four positions are rated differently. Defenders are assessed on things like Rebound 50s, Intercept Possessions, and One-Percenters, amongst other things. Mids for Inside 50s, clearances and both number and quality of disposals. Forwards for tackles inside 50, contested marks, and score involvements. And Rucks are scored on hit outs, clearances and sneaking forward to snag a couple of goals. Disposal efficiency is a big factor for the backs, who can accumulate touches easily, and kick in/play ons are disregarded. There are heaps more criteria used, but I’m not here to give it all away. This is mine, damn it!
I’m not saying this is the definitive system for ranking players – it has several flaws I’ve had to adjust and tweak over the years, but after compiling this list, I reckon we’re getting a great picture of who is in red hot form, who is starting to slip, and who never really got going this season.
Let’s go
20 – KYSAIAH PICKETT
Missed the first three games, but he is suuuurging!
19 – LUKE JACKSON
Average with Sean Darcy in the team pales in comparison to average without him.
18 – JACK HIGGINS
Doing what a small forward does, and hitting the scoreboard. R11 failure cost him several places.
17 – GEORGE HEWETT
Just starting to come back to the pack, but his early body of work is propping him up.
16 – MATT KENNEDY
Doing it all in his third lease on AFL life. A career-best year, but I expect him to start levelling out now that Bont is back, and Treloar knocking on the door, again.
15 – JAMIE ELLIOTT
Three bags of 5+ goals… so far, and two of them in the last three weeks serves him very well, here.
14 – BAILEY DALE
Tapered off a little this week after a three-week period that saw him average 37 touches.
13 – NASIAH WANGANEEN-MILERA
Finding plenty of it as he alternates between half-back and the middle. Also starting to hit the scoreboard this season.
12 – NOAH ANDERSON
At the moment, I’d say he is close to the perfect midfielder. Wins the footy, kicks inside 50. If he starts hitting the scoreboard, we’re looking at a potential number-one player. Also, has a game fewer than others, due to the cyclone bullshit in Queensland earlier this season.
11 – HARRIS ANDREWS
Having yet another “Harris Andrews year”. Leads the league in one-percenters… again. Leads our Mongrel Punt Defensive Player of the Year Award, as well, and is on track to become the first multiple winner of that award.
10 – CALEB SERONG
His Round Eight blip on the radar hurts a little, but his form all around that has been impeccable. Number one centre clearance player in the game.
9 – TOM ATKINS
On track to obliterate the AFL record for tackles in season, but still won’t have as many tackles as James Brayshaw’s future daughter-in-law
8 – NICK DAICOS
The star of the competition overshadowed a little. A slower start, but doing enough to maintain a top ten place.
7 – DAYNE ZORKO
Been a powerhouse out of defence, and has permitted the Lions to be patient with the return of Keidean Coleman.
6 – BEN LONG
Hard, tough, and now playing a role inside 50 and has five games of 3+ goals as a third target. Killing it in 2025.
5 – ED RICHARDS
The number one man according to Champion Data. Here, top five, so he must be doing plenty right.
4 – JEREMY CAMERON
A massive last fortnight has helped propel him up the rankings. Has been the number one ranked forward in both weeks.
3 – TRISTAN XERRI
A monster in the contest. The number one ruckman for clearances, and sitting third overall in the competition.
2 – BAILEY SMITH
Brilliant sustained form from the former Dog, as he dispels all queries as to his fitness and ability. Missed a game, too.
1 – MAX GAWN
Putting up career-best numbers this season. Still the standard by which all other rucks are assessed.
Okey doke… now time for justification….
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