If the season ended today, who would be collecting the 2016 Charlie Sutton Medal? With a few players being hit with injury in the first half, the field is as wide open as it’s ever been.
Will we have another first time winner, as we did last year when Easton Wood saluted? Or perhaps Tom Liberatore caps his comeback to football with his second Charlie.
Of course, we’re only thirteen games in and there’s plenty to play out, but based on Champion Data’s rating system, let’s see who our best performed players are so far in 2016.
1. Marcus Bontempelli
A third-place finish in last year’s count shows that Bontempelli is a proven vote getter, and yet his form so far this season has been even better.
Voted into the leadership group at the beginning of the year and having stepped up to lead his side to victory over the West Coast Eagles in Round 11, it’s hard to believe he’s only played 50 games.
He had a down day against Geelong last weekend, but averaged 29 disposals between Rounds 7-12, impressive if you consider he’d never had a 30 possessions game prior to the Adelaide game in Round 7. Oh, and the Bulldogs went 5-1.
He’s having a career year, Bontempelli, and is probably the favourite at this point.
Disposals: 23.8
Marks: 3.0
Tackles: 3.8
Goals: 1
AFL Fantasy: 90.1
Best game: Round 11, West Coast Eagles. 30 touches, four marks, nine tackles and the win as Captain.
2. Tom Liberatore
What a story this would be. Coach Luke Beveridge said during the offseason that getting Liberatore back was akin to getting a first round draft pick.
It’s tempting to say that he’s picked up right where he left off, but as we said here, while the stats are similar, this is not the Tom Liberatore you remember from 2014. In fact, he may be even better.
From perhaps the League’s best inside player to a versatile hard-edged goal-kicking midfielder capable of breaking a game open, Liberatore is every chance to pick up Charlie number two on current form.
Disposals: 22.4
Marks: 2.5
Tackles: 5.5
Goals: 0.8
AFL Fantasy: 87.2
Best game: Round 8, Melbourne. 25 disposals, two marks, one goal and 19 tackles.
3. Jake Stringer
Can players like Jake Stringer win these kinds of awards?
The 21-year-old Stringer is one of those rare players that can affect a game with only a handful of touches, and has done so numerous times already throughout his young career, including this season.
He’s a match winner, Stringer, and match winners are worth their weight in gold. But has he had a better season than Bontempelli or Liberatore?
Maybe not, but there’s still nine games to play, and with his star turn on the wing against Port Adelaide, we may see Stringer up the ground even more on the run home, providing him with more of an opportunity to have the kind of prolonged impact on a game that can be tough to do from the goal square.
Or he’ll win it from Full Forward.
Disposals: 15.7
Marks: 3.6
Tackles: 1.7
Goals: 2.0
AFL Fantasy: 68.9
Best game: Round 1, Fremantle. 18 disposals, six marks, five goals.
4. Mitch Wallis
Which player has spent the most time in the Bulldogs midfield so far this season? That’s right, Mitch Wallis.
Wallis has been in the thick of it 69.1% of the time according to Champion Data and a deep dive on the stats suggest he’s been having a decent impact while he’s in there.
In fact, it’s a three-man race in some critical statistical areas with two of the three players above him on this list. Clearances? Second to Bontempelli. Contested possession? Third behind Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore. Inside 50s? Second to Bontempelli again.
Wallis can often be found at the bottom of a pack, and with a strong second half, it’s not out of the question he finishes at the top of this one.
Disposals: 23.9
Marks: 2.5
Tackles: 3.4
Goals: 0.6
AFL Fantasy: 82.2
Best game: Round 5, Brisbane Lions. 33 disposals, six marks, one goal. Bulldogs win.
5. Luke Dahlhaus
The early season favourite in some pundits eyes, although Dahl’s Round 12 injury hurts his chances somewhat. Unless of course he banked enough votes early and can finish the season strongly.
Under Luke Beverdige’s tutelage, Dahlhaus has transformed into a genuinely damaging midfielder after being earmarked aa small forward early in his career. Last season, Dahlhaus spent 57% in front of goal, whereas this season that number is just 37%, with the rest of his time in the middle.
Depending on how much weight you give AFL Fantasy numbers, Dahlhaus has cracked the top five times this season, with a 99 and a 96 to his name. Only Bontempelli has gotten anywhere near that output.
But it’s not all about numbers with Dahlhaus. He’s one of those heart and soul players that his teammates look to for inspiration, and considering who votes for this award, that’s got to be factored in.
Disposals: 25.0
Marks: 2.8
Tackles: 5.5
Goals: 0.6
AFL Fantasy: 93.0
Best game: Round 10, Collingwood. 37 disposals, six marks, six tackles one goal.
