The Magpie Army Player of the Year award has emerged as a two-horse race with Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury streaking ahead of the field as the season approaches its final stanza. Having produced another campaign which is likely to see him feature prominently on Brownlow Medal night, Swan leads 2012 winner Pendlebury by 1431 votes heading into this weekend’s clash with West Coast, with Steele Sidebottom sitting further adrift in third place. Following a stuttering start to the season, Swan has produced a series of increasingly impressive displays over the second half of the year to affirm his status as the competition’s leading ball winner, sitting comfortably atop the AFL’s disposals charts. While his overall production has decreased on last season, Swan remains in heady territory, averaging more possessions per game (31.75) in 2013 than he did in either of 2010 or 2011. His defensive contribution remains among Collingwood’s best, sitting second in clearances per game (5.3), while he is ranked fifth on the tackles front (3.65). Pendlebury meanwhile is enjoying a stellar campaign which has seen average a career high in disposals per game (29.7), rank as the club’s clearance leader (5.8) and sit second in tackles per game (5.25). Such figures are likely to see the pair dual for the Copeland Trophy in October, while placing them on track to once again contend for All-Australian honours. Though raw numbers are hardly the ultimate barometer of individual impact, they certainly provide an insight into performance, with a glance at seasons past provides clear evidence of the duo’s remarkable consistency since claiming the 2010 Premiership season. Dane Swan DA GA CA TA AA 2013 31.75 0.8 5.3 3.65 0.8 2012 34.5 1.2 6.7 3.38 0.81 2011 31.67 1.33 6.125 3.21 0.96 2010 31.54 0.92 5.42 4.73 0.62 Scott Pendlebury DA GA CA TA AA 2013 29.7 0.8 5.8 5.25 0.85 2012 29.48 0.52 6.43 6.43 0.71 2011 29.68 0.96 5.2 5.2 0.88 2010 26.58 0.65 3.73 3.73 0.65 Statistically regarded as the most prolific midfield pairing in recent AFL history, Swan and Pendlebury have each amassed at least 30 possessions in the same match on 39 occasions, a remarkable figure giving rise to their place as the engine room which has driven Collingwood to seven successive finals appearances. And as the Magpies maintain its charge towards a coveted 16th flag, it is hardly outlandish to suggest that the duo will play a significant part in helping the club scale to the AFL’s summit and reclaim its place as the most successful club in the game. -Luke #gopies
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:17:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015