Brodie Smith’s impressive return to senior football has been acknowledged by both coaches following Adelaide’s 14-point loss to GWS Giants on Saturday night.
The All Australian defender received seven votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award in his second game back from an ACL injury, recording 29 disposals, six marks, six rebound 50s and four tackles.
He had the second most disposals of any player during the game, gaining a team-high 599
Rory Sloane was the only other Crow to poll with the midfielder picking up one vote after amassing 12 clearances, 24 disposals, seven inside
GWS midfielder Lachie Whitfield was judged as the clear best on
Callan Ward (five votes), Harry Himmelberg (five) and Rory Lobb (two) also polled.
Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell remains in first place with 87 points while Carlton’s Patrick Cripps has moved into second, ahead of Melbourne’s Max Gawn.
Adelaide v GWS Giants
10 – Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
7 – Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
5 – Callan Ward (GWS)
5 – Harry Himmelberg (GWS)
2 – Rory Lobb (GWS)
1 – Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
Shadforth AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Leaderboard
87 – Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
83 – Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
80 – Max Gawn (Melbourne)
72 – Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
70 – Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
68 – Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
65 – Andrew Gaff (West Coast)
64 – Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne)
62 – Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
61 – Elliot Yeo (West Coast)
