Patrick Dangerfield names the most fascinating player at your AFL club

SOME players have an incredible story behind them and others possess the ability to lift supporters from their seats. What they have in common is they stand out from the rest.

Essendon rookie Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s journey to the AFL has been amazing and he’s as hard as they come on the field. Picture: Mark Dadswell

SOME players have an incredible story behind them — or maybe a hard-luck one, while others may be cult heroes or possess the ability to lift supporters from their seats.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD names the players who stand out from the rest at your club.

ADELAIDE

EDDIE BETTS — It’s like watching an NBA player, he just operates at a different level. When I was playing with him, I found myself going, ‘What?’ How did he do that?’ When he would mark it on the boundary, on that ridiculous angle that no one can kick from, you’d just start running back to the centre square because you thought, ‘You know what, he’s actually going to kick it’. He’s such a humble and down-to-earth person too.

Eddie Betts can do some freaky things on the field. Picture: Sarah Reed

BRISBANE

PEARCE HANLEY — The Irish thing still fascinates and he’s their most consistent midfielder. He’s grown up with a round ball yet he’s such a beautiful kick. I feel if he wasn’t in the northern states he would have received a lot more publicity than he has.

CARLTON

MATTHEW KREUZER — He’s just been so injury hammered. Last week he kicks the winning goal and now he misses three or four weeks. Every time you play Carlton, he’s the first name on the board because he’s so influential. I just hope at some stage he gets a run at it where his body doesn’t prevent him from fulfilling what I think he can actually be.”

Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer can be a champion of the game if he can get his body right. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD

BRODIE GRUNDY — I feel like he should almost be behind the drums in the Rolling Stones. He’s a different sort of footballer and I could picture him rocking up to a game in leathers on his Harley Davidson. Everyone says ruckmen take time but he’s the exception to the rule, he’s come in and been the lead ruckman almost since he got there.

ESSENDON

ANTHONY McDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI — Such an amazing story. The only reason he is playing is because of the Bombers’ drug bans. To think we may not have ever got the chance to see what he can do at AFL. He nearly killed me when he we played in Shepparton in the pre-season, I have never been hit so hard. He’s built like a brick wall but still runs really well and is their chief generator off half-back.

FREMANTLE

MICHAEL WALTERS — Got sent back to the WAFL a few years ago with career in doubt and now you hear Ross Lyon talk about his leadership qualities. He is their igniter, he’s got spunk and there’s something about him that you just want to sit back and enjoy. From his eye-catching tattoos to his eye-catching play, he’s one you look at and think there is an interesting story.

GEELONG

MARK BLICAVS — My fascination with Mark started when he became the first player I’ve ever seen run to a running session on a Saturday morning. I mean, who runs to a running session? Can’t you get enough in the two hours we’re going to run in the session? C’mon, man. He’s also the worst movie reviewer ever on Cats TV. His story is extraordinary, though — from starting as a category B to three years later becoming a Carji Greeves Medallist.

Mark Blicavs’ career has taken off in a short period of time. Picture: George Salpigtidis

GOLD COAST

TOM LYNCH — I love Tom, he’s my favourite player. I met him at my manager’s Christmas party and he’s hilarious, a ripping bloke to talk to. On the field he is this monster — he doesn’t talk to you, he’s aggressive with white-line fever and if you’re not with him then you’re against him so get out of the way. You can’t help but respect that, and that sort of passion is what wins games.

GWS GIANTS

HAIR — Who doesn’t think hair when they look at the GWS boys? Callan Ward is straight out of Lord of the Rings : he’s Aragorn. Then there is the Cleo Bachelor of the Year Matt Buntine and even my mate Filthy Phil Davis, who had the stock standard short back and sides in Adelaide, goes to GWS and what happens, he’s got the headband.

Phil Davis has grown his hair long since moving to the Giants. Pictures: Mark Evans

HAWTHORN

LUKE BREUST — Every time you switch on a Hawthorn match you hear boos, and no it’s not boos, it’s Brrueeeesssst. He is a cult figure but you meet him and it’s about team, he’s as far from self-absorbed as you would ever meet. He’s incredibly humble yet he has this incredible following and incredible accuracy.

MELBOURNE

JACK VINEY — I love the whole father-son combo. When Todd first came back to the Demons, they were a club under enormous pressure, but look at what he’s done as list manager. And now Jack is doing everything right on the field.

NORTH MELBOURNE

JARRAD WAITE — Playing your best footy at 33, who does that? His ground level stuff impresses me as much as his marking and he’s something like second or third in the competition for goal assists. So many people wrote him off and you can’t help but be excited and happy for him as part of a team that has made such an impressive start and he’s been the chief destroyer.

PORT ADELAIDE

TRAVIS BOAK — His story still fascinates me. From his father passing away in 2006 to being drafted to an interstate club, losing a Grand Final in his first year by 119 points, going through John McCarthy’s death and having links to Phil Walsh with his passing. Then becoming the captain of the club which has transitioned from tarps in the outer to having the best pre-game entertainment with 54,000 members at every home game. And he’s leading all that. Plus he’s one of the best blokes you’ll ever meet, a fantastic person.

RICHMOND

IVAN MARIC — He got there from Adelaide and overnight he became this spiritual voice and leader. I’m not sure whether it started with his hair but he fascinates people. He doesn’t have the athletic abilities that others do but he has a want and a will. There is this charisma about him and speaking to him you can’t help but feel enthused and excited about being around him.

Ivan Maric has charisma and his hair has been a massive talking point. Picture: Getty Images

ST KILDA

JACK STEVEN — People don’t know anything about Jack Steven, they really don’t. I grew up with him, our parents grew up together and Jack’s dad, Pete, was my primary school principal. Jack went to Lorne and when they played against Airey’s, Pete would have to coach against his son. A couple of weeks ago against North he had 10 in the third quarter and nearly won the game for them. That third quarter was almost as good as I have seen all year.

SYDNEY

ISAAC HEENEY — Special mention to Tom Derickx here as his interviews with movie stars are seriously hilarious. But Heeney is someone you can’t help but be excited about. I’m not sure whether it’s the blond hair or his five goals the other week which reminded me of Chris Judd’s five goals in the first half against the Brisbane Lions in his second year back in 2003. A genuine star.

WEST COAST

NIC NAITANUI — In a game judged on possessions and stats, he is an exception to that rule. His impact on games is just profound and he can finish with five possessions but for me be close to best-on-ground, that is how influential he is with the small things he does. And no one has rucked the way he has out of a centre bounce ever.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

EASTON WOOD — I had never met him until last year but discovered he’s one of the all-time great people involved in footy. His story is amazing, going from a player who was in and out of the side and carried a lot of injuries to an All-Australian with courage to fly for intercept marks. And then becoming the captain of a club which is as good as any team in the AFL.