Nat Fyfe edged out Patrick Dangerfield for best on ground in Adelaide’s clash with Fremantle, according to the coaches.
Two of the stars of the competition, Dangerfield and Fyfe went head-to-head at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, much to the delight of spectators.
Raging Brownlow Medal favourite Fyfe won the possession count, amassing a career-high 40 possessions to go with 14 clearances, 10 inside 50ms and a goal in his team’s 11-point win. The performance earned Fyfe, who is the runaway leader in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award, a perfect 10 votes from Phil Walsh and Ross Lyon.
In his best performance of the season, Dangerfield was also brilliant. The two-time All Australian collected 38 possessions, including an equal-AFL record 29 contested, as well as nine clearances, eight tackles, six inside 50ms and a goal. He earned eight votes from the coaches and has now polled votes in his past two games.
Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who won a record 69 hit-outs, was judged the next-best player on the ground with four votes.
Crows onballer Nathan van Berlo and Freo’s three-goal hero Michael Walters each received three votes. Van Berlo worked hard to gather a season-high 25 disposals, seven inside 50ms and four rebound 50ms.
Small defender Rory Laird, who is enjoying a career-best season, rounded out the voting. Laird overcame a concussion to amass 27 possessions, eight tackles, five rebound 50ms and four clearances. It was enough to earn him two votes from the coaches in the Indigenous Round match.
Fyfe is 27 votes clear of Sydney Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery, who collected another five votes in his team’s big win over Carlton on Friday night. St Kilda ball magnet David Armitage and Greater Western Sydney star Dylan Shiel are tied for third place on 42 votes. Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is a further two votes behind in fifth spot.
Six players, Fyfe, Armitage, Lance Franklin, Shane Edwards, Jamie Elliott and Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy (West Coast), earned maximum votes in Round Nine.
Adelaide vs Fremantle
10 Nat Fyfe (Frem)
8 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
4 Aaron Sandilands (Frem)
3 Nathan van Berlo (Adel)
3 Michael Walters (Frem)
2 Rory Laird (Adel)
Leaderboard after Round Nine
78 Nat Fyfe (Frem)
51 Dan Hannebery (Syd)
42 David Armitage (St K)
42 Dylan Shiel (GWS)
40 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
37 Matt Priddis (WC)
31 Josh Kennedy (WC)
29 Todd Goldstein (NM)
29 Josh Kennedy (Syd)
28 Cale Hooker (Ess)
Past Crows voting
Round Eight
Round Seven
Round Six
Round Five
Round Four
Round Three
Round Two
Round One
