The coaches couldn’t split Rory Sloane and Eddie Betts for best-afield honours in Adelaide’s 68-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
Sloane and Betts each received nine votes from Brenton Sanderson and Leon Cameron.
Sloane was the leading possession-getter on the ground, finishing with a season-high 32 disposals. The hard-running midfielder also took nine marks, won a team-high six clearances and laid five tackles. He was involved in a total of 10 Crows scores, including two goals of his own.
Betts, who has polled coaches votes in five of his last seven games, continued his run of scintillating form. Of his 15 possessions against GWS, nine led to Adelaide’s scores. This included a bag of five goals from Betts – his best return as a Crow. The exciting forward has now kicked 15 goals in his past four outings – ranked third in the AFL in this period and 10th in the Coleman Medal.
Despite nursing a corked buttock, 2012 Rising Star Daniel Talia earned three coaches votes for his role on All Australian forward Jeremy Cameron. Talia held Cameron goalless for three quarters before shifting into attack to help protect his injury. Consistent Crows Talia, Sloane and Scott Thompson have now polled coaches votes in six games this season.
Three Crows polled their first votes of the season at Spotless Stadium. Skilful half-forward Brodie Martin was awarded three votes after gathering 22 touches, five tackles, five inside 50ms, four marks and a goal against the Giants.
Defender Andy Otten earned recognition for his role on towering GWS goalkicker Jon Patton. Otten assumed the job on the much taller and stronger Patton when experienced backman Ben Rutten (concussion) was substituted out of the game in the first quarter. Comeback Crow Ricky Henderson also collected one vote in his first AFL game since August last year.
Star midfielder Adam Treloar (four) was the only Giant to receive votes from the coaches.
Round 16 saw a new leader in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award emerge.
Fremantle onballer Nathan Fyfe polled a perfect 10 against Melbourne to overtake dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett, who dislocated his shoulder in Gold Coast’s win over Collingwood, at the top of the leaderboard. Fyfe (75) is three votes clear of Ablett (72), with Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray (67) in third and Sydney Swans star Josh Kennedy (66) rounding out the top four.
Patrick Dangerfield (39) remains Adelaide’s highest-placed vote-getter, while evergreen midfielder Scott Thompson is on 36.
GWS vs Adelaide
9 Eddie Betts (Adel)
9 Rory Sloane (Adel)
4 Adam Treloar (GWS)
3 Brodie Martin (Adel)
3 Daniel Talia (Adel)
1 Ricky Henderson (Adel)
1 Andy Otten (Adel)
Round 16 Leaderboard
75 Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
72 Gary Ablett Gold (Coast)
67 Robbie Gray Port (Adelaide)
66 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
59 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
52 Lance Franklin (Sydney)
48 Travis Boak Port (Adelaide)
46 Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
46 Matthew Priddis (West Coast)
45 Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
Past Crows AFLCA voting
Round 15
Round 14
Round 13
Round 12
Round 11
Round 10
Round Nine
Round Seven
Round Six
Round Five
Round Four
Round Three
Round Two
Round One
