Max Gawn names his 10 favourite left-field footballers

Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy are widely recognised as the two best ruckmen in the AFL. Gawn has such respect for the rival he calls ‘Mr Consistent’. he rates Grundy in his 10 favourite players.

Joe Daniher of the Bombers celebrates a goal.

The superstars bring most people to the footy, including myself.

“Danger” at full flight running out of the square. “Dusty” giving back-to-back don’t argues then kicking a snap over his shoulder. Nat Fyfe taking screamers and “Buddy” kicking ’em from 70m — they are probably the best four players in the game.

But I love watching the footy for different reasons. I love different players, quirky players, unique players, underrated players. Basically those that we don’t necessarily give credit to.

Without these 10 guys, I would not watch footy as much as I do.

10. JACK SILVAGNI

When I was 14 I was addicted to the video game The Sims. I tried to create the best looking man and called it Max. Jack is identical to the Sim that I would make. Tanned, great hair and just a flat-out 10/10 rooster. If he grows old to look like his old man, I’ll be a fan his whole career.

Jack Silvagni is a “10/10” rooster according to Max Gawn. Picture: Michael Klein

9. CHRIS MASTEN

I love cycling. Cyclists have gone from MAMILs (middle-aged men in Lycra) to ya Fitzroy, tattooed, trendy haircut and hipster sock-wearing mad dog. Masten ticks all the boxes. Plus at his best can rack up 40 on the wing. I’d love to know what cool trendy Lycra he wears?

8. MATT SUCKLING

A great story, premiership winning halfback. Not selected early on. Delisted by Hawthorn then picked up again. But, by golly can the man kick! I wish I could go back and tell my under-9s coach that I can kick around corners and make it in the AFL. I even get people to call me “Suckers” at training when I can’t miss a kick. I hope he goes and punts in the US post-AFL.

Matt Suckling gets ready to wind up his lethal left boot. Picture: Michael Klein

7. STEVEN MAY

In junior footy you always put your big strong bull at fullback. Sometimes it didn’t matter if that player even knew what football was. The more uncoordinated, the better that fullback was. Well, May is the better skilled and much more co-ordinated version of that strong bull. I love playing with May, so trustworthy and almost a game-winning fullback.

6. LYNDEN DUNN

We do wrestling and boxing a lot in the pre-season because it’s usually very tolling and a complete body workout. “Dunny” manages to wrestle and play footy. Although he is starting to concentrate more on the pill later in his life. Can be a very entertaining game if he is at his lippy best.

Lynden Dunn takes a break from annoying his opponents to kick the footy. Picture: Michael Klein

5. DANIEL MENZEL

The Reco Man. All those surgeries, all those one-year contracts. The man just delivers. People struggle to come back from one knee reconstruction. I hope he writes a book. I’ll read it. One-on-one, he does not lose. Only the best get back from more than two recos.

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4. JOE DANIHER

How good is it to sit back and watch Joe do Joe. He is a star. His marking is the most exciting in the comp and I love marking, so I love watching him. I also love watching people bigger than 200cm who battle the yips in front of goal. Maybe I should try the Daniher snap? Joe narrowly beat Levi Casboult and Oscar McInerney as the best mark in my top 10.

Joe Daniher does his Joe Daniher thing.

3. BRODIE GRUNDY

He’s different, both personality wise and how he has changed the ruckman’s game. It’s fun playing against him, a genuine battle in all assets. Grundy is strong in offence, defence and in the contest. He also just never misses a game. Mr Consistent.

2. CHRISTIAN SALEM

Once again, he just doesn’t lose one-on-one. Just so unassuming and goes about his business. He is a left-back in soccer stuck in an AFL player’s body. Is yet to get abs in six pre-seasons and has more hair on his body than I do on my chin.

1. JUSTIN WESTHOFF

Star! Clearly my favourite player in the AFL. Had a strong beard game before I could even grow stubble. Could have been All-Australian in six different positions last year. Comes out to play in big moments in big games.

Justin Westhoff has an outstanding beard game.

Originally published as Max Gawn names his 10 favourite left-field footballers