HB’s Top Ten of 2024
If you’re anything like me – ruggedly handsome, likes to wear a cowboy hat here and there, maybe carrying an extra five kilograms – you probably watch a fair bit of footy, and as such, have a fair idea of who are the best players in the game.
Over years, those opinions change, but in any given year, who we see as the best in the business should be roughly around the mark. I mean, we’re all watching the same games, right? We should all think the same!
Of course, we don’t, because where would the fun be in that? We all see things a little differently – hell, some only watch their own teams, so their views are heavily weighted toward players wearing one type of guernsey. Others… they’re a more rounded type of supporter and take in multiple games on a weekend.
And so, with that in mind, I thought it’d be a fun exercise… or at least an exercise, to list my ten best players of the 2024, and see just how much our opinions differ.
As it’s my column, I’ll go first. You can tell me how wrong I am. What I like and look for will be evident in the comments under each player’s name, so if you’re gonna tell me I’m wrong, at least explain to me why your choice is better. Deal?
Anyway, without further ado, here are HB’s Top Ten of 2024.
Ah, but wait – there is ado! There’s a catch!
To make sure we don’t just get a Brownlow list of players, you’ve got to add two forwards, one ruck, one wingman, and two defenders to the mix. Where you rank them is entirely up to you, but that means you only get four mids in your top ten players.
What would the All-Australian team selectors do in this situation?
I’d suggest choosing wisely. I might even do it, myself.
10 – MAX GAWN – MELBOURNE
I’ve gone for Gawn over Xerri in the ruck spot on the list, as Gawn has a bigger impact when he does have the footy in his hands. He’s a better mark – a vital component of the big man, particularly when he drops a kick behind the footy, or works to provide a target as the ‘Get out of Jail’ option for defences exiting fifty. This is what I want to see from a big man
Xerri was good, and should he have made the AA team, I don’t think anyone would have been disappointed, but I am not jumping over to play with a new toy when there is a tried and tested model that is working beautifully.
“Mum… can I have a Tristan Xerri?”
“No son, you have a perfectly good Max Gawn at home.”
She’s right.
SIGNATURE GAME – R11 v St Kilda. I liked Rowan Marshall, but Gawn had a picnic against him in this one, notching 27 disposals, 34 hit outs, and ten clearances to put the brakes on any passing of the torch to the Saints’ big man.
9 – JEREMY MCGOVERN – WEST COAST
A career renaissance for Gov in 2024, as he once again rose to the level that saw him dominate across half-back for the Eagles.
He saw plenty of action, as West Coast are nowhere near out of the woods when it comes to their position in the league, and as such, the ball came into their defensive 50 a little more often than they’d prefer. However, with McGovern standing tall and both acting as the third man up, and standing under the footy when it was his turn to do so, he was able to stem the bleeding often.
And when he did stand in the hole and put himself in harm’s way, he got smashed. And then, the bloke would get up, recover, and do it again.
In our Mongrel Awards, I voted for Gov as the most courageous player of the year. For me, it was a no-brainer – he epitomises what you want in a good defender, and it was great to see him back in form this year.
SIGNATURE GAME – R22 versus North Melbourne. Gov owned this game, and recorded his second career Defensive Triple-Double, with ten one-percenters, 13 intercepts, and 11 R50s. He was a huge part of the Eagles’ come-from-behind win.
The first two are open for everyone – the remainder of this article is for our members. They support me, and I provide for them. It’s a good deal.
HB writes several articles per week at The Mongrel. He owns the place, y’know? This is one of them, and he believes work such as this is worth a mere pittance per day. If you don’t, that’s fine. You’re welcome to join and keep reading if you do.
