In five days time, one QAFL player will have his name read out as the 2016 Grogan Medalist.
We thought we would go through the field, and give you a couple of names to watch from each club.
Broadbeach
Nathan Quick: Has Been Broadbeach’s most consistent player all year. Can sometimes be taken deep in the backline – which won’t help his vote cause – but, when he is rebounding and marking, he is eye catching.
Josh Searl: Been the bull in the middle for the Cats. Surrounded by a lot of kids, Searl will stand out, but the Cats probably didn’t win enough games for him to feature late in the piece.
Smokey: James Royes
Labrador
Adam Clarke: Has taken his inside game to a new level this year. Was arguably the best outside midfielder in the comp in 2015 and has now added another string to his bow at the bottom of the pack. Was one of the reasons Labrador was able to turn its season around, so expect him to come home strong. Might have a few stealing votes off him.
Wayde Mills: Lived up to the hype, and then some. Was named as Labrador’s best six times this year, including a purple patch from rounds 10-12. Stood up in big moments, which will also help his cause.
Smokey: Bryce Retzlaff
Morningside
Matt Logan: Hasn’t missed a beat since his return this year. Was one of the most damaging players in the game, especially in the first half of the season. Won a lot of the footy and hit the scoreboard.
Nathan Kinch: Knows how to win them, after taking the award out in 2008. Been a very solid year from Kinch, who just keeps on keeping on. Stood up when Morningside had a few players go overseas in the middle of the year, which is the period he should poll the most in.
Smokey: Peter Mollison
Mt Gravatt
Mick Hamill: Out of the 18 games he played in the home and away season, he was named in the team’s best 13 times. That’s a staggering amount and says it all about how well Hamill went this year. Big chance.
Andrew Smith: Has been huge upon his return to Dittmer Park. Not only has he been one of the best tap ruckman in the competition, his ability to be an influence right around the ground means he is constantly where the action is.
Smokey: Joe Murphy
Palm Beach Currumbin
Josh Woolley: The silky left-footer has gone to another level in 2016. Whether it is rebounding off half-back, breaking lines across the half-forward line, or winning his own footy in the middle, Woolley’s influence on games is there for all to see.
Jesse Derrick: The skipper has been outstanding all year. Played every game for the Lions in 2016, and was in their best 12 times. He has been the reason Palm Beach has attacked so well this year. He gains a stack of meters, can play down back, and has even snuck forward for a few goals. Should poll really well in the middle of the year.
Smokey: Flinn Chisholm
Sandgate
Tom Overington: No doubt about his ball winning ability. ‘Tommy O’ racks up a stack of the footy week in, week out. Goes to work right under the umpires nose.
Connor Stackelberg: Only played the 12 games due to NEAFL selection, but will come home strong, thanks to bags of seven, 11, and three goals in his final three games.
Smokey: Liam Rutledge
Surfers Paradise
Cassidy Haberfield: If Surfers was winning, Cass Haberfield was playing well. He was the engine room to their midfield this year. Expect to see his name in the votes during the Demons purple patch in the middle of the year.
Daniel Green: The 2016 Ray Hughson Medalist has won games off his own boot. Has kicked six or more goals seven times throughout the home and away season. One of the most damaging players in the game.
Smokey: Harrison Fraser
UQ
George Hannaford: Only played the 12 games, with a couple of those very underdone, but in his first eight games he was named in the teams best eight times. He was sublime for UQ early, with his stoppage work as good as anyone in the competition. Has to have a very big lead by round 9 to hold on.
Jonathan Macanawai: The rising star nominee had a breakout 2016. The lack of games UQ won won’t help his cause, but he could surprise a few with some votes, especially late in the year.
Smokey: Sean Powyer
Western Magpies
Callum Carseldine: The reigning Grogan Medalist has been as good, if not better, in 2016. Went to work again in the middle and was the catalyst to a couple of Magpies wins. Kicked a few more goals this year, which will help his cause.
Luke Scott: One of the biggest game changers in the league. Whether it is forward, back or even on a wing, Scott goes to where the footy is. Named in the Magpies best 11 times this year, and should poll well in the first six rounds.
Smokey: Garreth Crawford
Wilston Grange
Steve Brittain: Didn’t play any footy after round 12, which will hurt his cause, but Brittain started the year like a house on fire. Could very well be a handful of votes up at the halfway point, but the question will be whether he can hold on.
Lachie Nixon-Smith: Only missed the one game this year, and was named in the club’s best, eight times. Has had some really eye-catching games out the outside this season. Only issue for him will be the amount of games grange won.
Smokey: Fletcher McIvor
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
