With so much on-field success, a number of Swans are likely to poll well in tonight’s 2014 Brownlow Medal count, with All-Australians players Lance Franklin and Josh Kennedy, as well as midfielder Luke Parker likely to lead the way for the club.
Ahead of this evening’s count, which will take place at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium, sydneyswans.com.au took a closer look at the Swans who have the best Brownlow chances and the games which we expect them to poll votes in.
Lance Franklin
In his first year in the red and white, Lance Franklin produced a superb season as the Sydney Swans’ leading target up forward.
Franklin’s exceptional season, which resulted in him taking out his third Coleman Medal and fifth All-Australian selection, saw the 27-year-old boot 67 goals and average over 16 disposals, six marks and three tackles per game.
In addition to his impressive stats on paper, Buddy’s greatest impact was often felt when games were on the line for the Swans.
In particular, his match-winning five second-half goals against Port Adelaide in round 13 and his similar performance against Richmond the following week were among ‘Buddy’s’ best games this season.
Franklin also produced his most comprehensive performance in round 21, when the star forward booted a season-high nine goals against St Kilda at the SCG.
Franklin played all but three matches this season, after sitting out rounds seven, 19 and 23 with knee soreness.
Franklin’s season in stats: 226 kicks, 116 marks, 86 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 6.1 marks, 4.5 handballs. 67 goals (first in the AFL), 44 behinds. 10 clearances, 76 Inside-50s, two rebound 50m. 60 tackles.
Franklin’s games to watch:
Round 3 vs Adelaide: 20 disposals, six marks, four goals.
Round 9 vs Essendon: 18 disposals, eight marks, five goals.
Round 13 vs Port Adelaide: 23 disposals, seven inside-50s, five goals.
Round 14 vs Richmond: 17 disposals, seven tackles, four goals.
Round 21 vs St Kilda: 19 disposals, 13 marks, nine goals.
Josh Kennedy
Josh Kennedy maintained his lofty standards in 2014, with the midfielder producing one of his most consistent seasons for the Sydney Swans this year.
The 26-year-old achieved All-Australian honours for the second time this season, averaging 28.6 disposals, including 16.1 contested possessions, as well as 6.4 clearances and 4.4 stoppages per game.
While Kennedy played a host of impressive games this year, his performance against Carlton in round 17 was arguably his best, with the midfielder collecting a career-high 41 disposals, as well as setting a new AFL record of 29 contested possessions.
Kennedy was also exceptional in the Swans’ 19-point win over Hawthorn in round eight, which saw him pick up 36 possessions – 23 which were contested – 10 clearances and 11 tackles, while his round nine performance against Essendon, which saw him collect 39 disposals, 10 clearances and five tackles, was also a highlight.
The midfielder also finished the season as the Swans’ best performer in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year Award, finishing in third place.
Kennedy’s season in stats: 243 kicks, 63 marks, 336 handballs (second in the AFL in handballs and tenth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 12.1 kicks, 3.1 marks, 16.8 handballs. 12 goals, 18 behinds. 126 clearances (eighth in the AFL), 91 Inside-50s (tenth in the AFL), 16 Rebound 50m. 114 tackles.
Kennedy’s games to watch:
Round 5 vs Fremantle: 38 disposals, 21 contested possessions, one goal.
Round 7 vs Brisbane Lions: 34 disposals, ten clearances, two goals
Round 8 vs Hawthorn: 36 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 11 tackles, 10 clearances.
Round 9 vs Essendon: 39 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 10 clearances, five tackles.
Round 17 vs Carlton: 41 disposals, 29 contested possessions, 12 clearances.
Luke Parker
2014 was a breakout season for Luke Parker, with the 21-year-old developing into one of the club’s top midfielders.
His stellar season resulted in him being named in the 40-man All-Australian squad, and while he missed out on final selection, Parker’s year has certainly impressed with the young Swan averaging over 26 disposals, six tackles and almost five clearances per game.
Parker has also put his hand up as a handy goal scorer for the Swans, booting 21 goals during the home and away season, including a four-goal haul against Adelaide in round three.
The midfielder, who played every game in 2014, was also at his best against the West Coast Eagles in round 16, where he picked up 33 possessions – including 22 that were contested - six tackles and two goals.
Parker’s season was also recognised in the 2014 AFL Players Association Player of the Year Award, where he finished in 11th place, in addition to his selection in the AFL Players Association’s 22under22 side.
Parker’s season in stats: 22 games in 2014. 255 kicks, 92 marks, 315 handballs (fifth in the AFL), averaging 11.6 kicks, 4.2 marks, 14.3 handballs. 21 goals, 12 behinds. 104 clearances, 72 Inside-50s, 32 rebound 50m. 134 tackles (seventh in the AFL).
Parker’s games to watch:
Round 3 vs Adelaide: 26 disposals, nine clearances, four goals
Round 16 vs West Coast: 33 disposals, 22 contested possessions, six tackles, two goals
Round 22 vs Western Bulldogs: 32 disposals, 11 tackles, 10 clearances, one goal.
Round 19 vs Essendon: 35 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles
