Day three of the QAFL Top 50 Players sees 30-21 named, which includes the bloke who kicked the winning goal in the grand final a few weeks back.
To see 50-41, click HERE
To see 40-31, click HERE
#30 Jamie Hackett
Position: Midfield, Half Forward
Time in best: 12
Goals: 32
Influence
Big players step up in big games, and that’s exactly what Hackett did this year. He played that high half-forward role perfectly, becoming a leading option, but also winning his own footy around the contest.
Ability to change a game
Hackett was amongst the best in last eight games, but two best on ground performances in the two middle finals defined his season. He turned the Wilston Grange game on its head in the first quarter when he kicked three big goals to break it open.
Consistency
Had a bit of a slow start to the year by his lofty standards, but stormed home late. Was a big factor in the Panthers making the grand final.
#29 Matt Davis (Western Magpies)
Position: Half -Back
Time in best: 11
Goals: 8
Influence
The quarter back. Davis was sublime off half-back this year, setting up most of the Magpies attack by foot. Was able to lead a tight defensive ship, but he also put himself in dangerous positions when the trigger needed to be pulled.
Ability to change a game
The contested nature of the Magpies game plan this year meant that scoring was sometimes hard to come by. However, if the ball was in Doc’s hands on the rebound, you knew something was going to come of it. He was creative, opened the game up, and got his midfielders involved.
Consistency
Probably didn’t have the finals campaign he would have liked, but the run that the Magpies went on after round 2 can be heavily attributed to his form.
#28 Cassidy Haberfield (Surfers Paradise)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 11
Goals: 6
Influence
The other half of the dynamic duo down on the coast. Haberfield is the grunt work player in the red and blue. Buries himself at the bottom of packs, puts his head over the ball time and time again, and uses it well.
Ability to change a game
You know what you’re going to get in the contest stakes week in week out from Haberfield, but he was able to grab games by the throat when he combined that with outside run. He is a smooth mover out wide.
Consistency
Cass was Surfers’ best player this year, contributing in every game he played. The future is very bright for this youngster.
#27 Todd Featherstone (Labrador)
Position: Midfield / Forward
Time in best: 6
Goals: 27
Influence
Played the small forward/ pinch hitting midfielder role perfectly. Brings a wealth of experience to his team and manages to get under the skin of the opposition as good as anyone else.
Ability to change a game
Still possesses the ability to change a game in a star-studded team, but how about kicking the winning goal in a grand final? It doesn’t get any bigger than that moment to finish off a stellar QAFL career.
Consistency
For an old boy he managed his body throughout the year and got better as the year went on. Played 19 games for the year including both finals.
#26 Albert Proud (Wilston Grange)
Position: Midfield / Half Back
Time in best: 7
Goals: 6
Influence
The super boot of the competition. Proud fit straight into the Gorillas line up. After a two year absence from QAFL footy, it didn’t take him long to find the form we are accustomed to.
Ability to change a game
We saw Albert come into his own at Palm Beach. Played in all positions on the ground and kicked two monster goals from outside 50 metres. Had a great month of footy in the middle of the year when the Gorillas needed him.
Consistency
Started the year late after a move from Springwood earlier in the year and finished with 15 games. His best is superior and still has an impact on games even if he doesn’t dominate.
#25 Todd Carbone (Mt Gravatt)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 7
Goals: 7
Influence
The QAFL Rising Star winner has been the revelation of 2015, rapidly becoming an a-grader of the competition. Carbone’s outside work was outstanding this year, kick starting their running game that saw their improvement in the back half of the season.
Ability to change a game
It was obvious this year that the Vultures looked their best when the ball was zipping around on the outside, and most of that was due to Carbone. If he was given a metre of space, he took the game on, opened the congestion up, and more often than not, hit targets.
Consistency
It was tough work for at times for the entire Vultures midfield throughout 2015, but Carbone was the shining light, proved by his Team of the Year selection and how well he polled in the Grogan.
#24 Taylor Haley (Broadbeach)
Position: Forward
Time in best: 5
Goals: 54
Influence
Couldn’t go back to back in the Ray Hughson Medal in 2015, but Haley was still one of the premier big men in the competition, especially late in the year. Leads well, has strong hands and makes the most of his opportunities.
Ability to change a game
Haley has a knack of getting off the chain at the right time. The way he can separate himself from his defender on the lead, clunk one, and go back and slot the goal means he is always dangerous on every entry.
Consistency
Had a bit of a slow start to the year, but came home with a wet sail. Haley kicked 26 goals in his last four games, including nine in round 18 to put the Cats into the finals, and six in the elimination final against Morningside to keep them in the contest.
#23 Jesse Derrick (Palm Beach)
Position: Midfield/Defence
Time in best: 13
Goals: 14
Influence
The barometer of Lions. Derrick’s creativity by foot, and ability to break lines is the kick starter of Palm Beach’s run.
Ability to change a game
If he is up and about, the Lions are hard to stop. He can win his own footy, and then beat teams on the spread. Derrick can single handedly change the look of the game with footy in hand.
Consistency
Doesn’t leave anything on the field. Cracked in every single game this year, shouldering a lot of responsibility week in week out in a young Lions team.
#22 Declan Bevan (Wilston Grange)
Position: Forward
Time in best: 6
Goals: 32
Influence
Might have only played the eight games this year, but was the inform forward in the competition before he went jet setting. You just wonder how much further the Gorillas could have gone this year if he was up front in the finals. Protects the ball drop extremely well and rarely misses.
Ability to change a game
Won games off his won boot, shown in round 3 against Sandgate when he kicked seven goals, including three in the first quarter to break the game wide open.
Consistency
32 goals from eight games is a remarkable effort. Only kicked less than three goals once, when he was held scoreless in his last game against Surfers Paradise.
#21 Ryley Buntain (Morningside)
Position: Defence
Time in best: 8
Goals: 1
Influence
Buntain is the type of defender forwards have to keep an eye on. Not only did he play a lock down roll this year, but is more than happy to leave his man and go third up, or take off once the ball is turned over. Had an outstanding season upon his return to the Panthers.
Ability to change a game
Buntain’s athleticism is second to none in the competition. He is able to get his hands on the football from positions he has no right to, which allows him to cause turnovers, and then get the ball rolling on Morningside’s link up work. Changes the game as that attacking defender beautifully.
Consistency
Played all 22 of Morningside’s games this year, and hardly missed a beat. Was the standout defender all year.
By Andrew Wiles and Matt Trewhella
