Zero Hanger’s MVP Awards – Round 4 - AFL News

Our votes are in after a huge weekend of footy 👇 🏅

SUBSCRIBER | June 29, 2020 - 6:15pm

We continue on with out Zero Hanger MVP Awards, with voting a little different to your generic 3, 2, 1 structure.

We will judge the best players in the game across the entire round relative to their position. Every ruckman in the game will compete against each other for the 3,2 1, as will the forwards, midfielders and defenders.

This way, everyone gets their chance to poll votes and we avoid the dreaded curse of another midfielder’s award. And at the end of the season (if we ever get there), we will have a Ruckman of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Forward of the Year, Defender of the Year and an overall MVP.

Ruckman

3. Marc Pittonet (Carlton) - Pittonet is looming as the bargain recruit of the season. The former Hawk has been brilliant and was again key for the Blues on Saturday night. His hitout work has been a feature but his clearance game was elite on the weekend. He led the game with eight clearances, including five in the all important last quarter.

2. Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) - Goldy has found some his best form in 2020 and has been the key behind some of the Kangaroos' best footy. 30 hitouts to go with 18 disposals, and a game-high nine clearances displayed Goldstein's ability to control the game.

1. Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast) - Witts largely goes unnoticed up in the nation's north, however, he is one of the game's most dominant ruckmen. He was again terrific in the Suns' win over Fremantle - a massive 38-hitout display led to the Suns' clearance dominance.

Forwards

3. Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide) - Dixon has been the game's most dominant big forward this season. He has been imposing and topped off his work by scoring goals. Six majors in the current climate is an immense effort and separated the Power from the Eagles.

2. Levi Casboult (Carlton) - Big Levi might be game's most improved player. He was seemingly on the scrap heap 18 months ago and is now a key part of the Blues' resurgence. He kicked three goals on the weekend and was critical, marking just about anything in his area.

1. Toby Greene (GWS) - Unlucky to be only be getting one vote here, Greene was huge in a game of the highest order. Kicking three goals in a low scoring game, Greene looked dangerous every time the ball went near him. He's an excitement machine.

Defenders

3. Sam Docherty (Carlton) - The Blues' co-captain has picked up where he left off in 2017. Two years out of the game and he hasn't missed a step. 31 disposals off half back was a huge effort but even bigger was his marshalling of the Carlton defence in his goalkeeper role.

2. Nick Haynes (GWS) - Eerily similar to the 2019 preliminary final, GWS pack their defensive end as Collingwood send ball after ball in for their forwards to attack. However, once again the Giants' defence held firm to win, and again Haynes was a key reason for that. Phil Davis went down and Haynes become the leader of that back line and did so incredibly well.

1. Jake Carlisle (St Kilda) - Carlisle found serious form on the weekend, perhaps playing his best game in a St Kilda jumper. He shut down Richmond's twin towers and intercepted nearly everything in his area.

Midfielders

3. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) - May well have been on course for all six votes before half time. Dwindled away slightly after the break but was never too far from the action. An incredible first half that set up the game for the Dogs - his two goals were all class while eight tackles showed the balance in which he played with. Dominant.

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2. David Cuningham (Carlton) - A breakout game for Cuningham who was arguably best on ground against Essendon. 28 disposals for the young Blue helped make up for a quiet night from Patrick Cripps. Very clean in traffic, Cuningham's finishing was off a touch and kept him from the three votes. Shot at goal with a minute to go a good example, but still a game to take notice of.

1. Lachie Neale (Brisbane) - Another player who could've claimed all three votes if not for his poor finishing. 6 behinds were the anchor holding Neale down on the weekend. After a slow start Neale got into his work after quarter time getting his hands on the footy with his usual ease.