The vast improvement from the younger Bulldogs brigade in 2014 is likely to throw Wednesday night’s race for the Charles Sutton Medal wide open.
While names such as Liam Picken, Ryan Griffen and Robert Murphy have all had strong seasons, youngsters Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae have also produced consistent form.
By statistics alone Macrae’s numbers are impressive (26.8 disposals on average) along with Liberatore’s competency in close (seven clearances per game) — both proof of the strength of their respective seasons.
But the influence of Matthew Boyd and Ryan Griffen cannot always be expressed by numbers alone – both stepping up in big moments on a consistent basis throughout 2014.
Murphy finished 2014 ranked fifth in the AFL for rebound 50’s and new recruit Stewart Crameri topped the Club’s goalkicking award comfortably, along with Dale Morris who ranked 15th in the AFL for one percenters — all of which are likely to attract votes.
Reflecting on last year’s vote count, six of the top ten players had 150 games or more of experience — this year and with the growth of the young Bulldogs, that demographic looks likely to change.
2013 Charles Sutton Medal Top 10
1st RYAN GRIFFEN 273 votes
2nd TOM LIBERATORE 242 votes
3rd WILL MINSON 184 votes
4th ROBERT MURPHY 176 votes
5th DALE MORRIS 166 votes
6th LUKE DAHLHAUS 151 votes
7th ADAM COONEY 144 votes
8th DANIEL GIANSIRACUSA 134 votes
9th JORDAN ROUGHEAD 88 votes
10th MITCH WALLIS 82 votes
