Tigani’s Top Ten: AFL Hunter Central Coast players ahead of the 2019 season
Originally published in the Singleton Argus
Written by Alex Tigani
Alex has joined the Singleton Argus after seven years as a local footy reporter in the Geelong region. The former GDFL commentator, editor and panel show host has compiled his top 10 AFL HCC players ahead of season 2019.
The Singleton Argus has released its official top ten AFL Hunter Central Coast list this morning only a week out from the opening round of the season.
Sports reporter Alex Tigani has partnered up with 11 time senior grand final umpire Ashley Borg who recently called time on his decorated 335 first grade game career.
(To view our honourable mentions – click here)
Interestingly, a total of six clubs feature in the list with all ten finalists expected to poll heavily on Elliott Davey medal night:
- Scott Reed (Killarney Vale)
Position: Forward
2018 games: N/A
2018 goals: N/A
Some in the league rate the former Magpie as the league’s best forward. While it can be an optimistic statement at times, given his side’s lack of success, it has kept him in contention to make the final cut.
Expert says: “A former Collingwood and NEAFL player, Reed came to Killarney Vale in 2016 as head coach,” Ashley Borg.
“Is the most dangerous and talented forward in the competition.
“Can bang goals in from any angle, anywhere in the forward line.
“Scott can win a game off his own boot when on song.”
- Alex Mitchell (Singleton Roosters)
Position: Midfielder/Forward
2018 games: 15
2018 goals: 11
His passion to take on a leadership role within the change rooms of Rose Point Park has been a key ingredient in the Roosters’ recent surge of success. A decorated AFL Sydney career, Mitchell can find the footy at both club and representative level.
Expert says: “Pup is one of the true midfield ‘in and under’ men,” Ashley Borg.
“His tenacity at the football is one of the hardest in the league, especially given his size.
“He is a ferocious tackler and occasionally sneaks up forward to do damage.”
- Nick Tomlinson (Cardiff)
Position: Defender
2018 games: 15
2018 goals: 3
His teammate Zac Metcalfe was selected as full back of the team of the year. Yet few are able to switch the play and run off of half back as well as Nick Tomlinson in this competition.
Expert says:”A former NEAFL player, Tommo is the premier backman in the AFL Hunter Coast,” Ashley Borg.
“He can hurt you going forward and back and provides genuine toughness and run off the backline for the Hawks.
“A genuine star of the competition and an even better bloke.”
- Patrick Gillingham (Newcastle City)
Position: Forward
2018 games: 17
2018 goals: 73
Scott Reed may be considered the best forward in the league but the statistics support the league’s leading goal-kicker and premiership winning captain Patrick Gillingham. In the middle of the winter months he slotted 22 goals in the space of a fortnight (12 against Lake Macquarie and 10 against Killarney Vale). If he was more accurate on grand final day he’d feature higher on the list.
Expert says: “Strong hands and hard leading makes Gilly a huge threat up forward,” Ashley Borg.
“Can be the target man at full forward or sneak in the pocket and poach goals.
“One of the most difficult men to stop in full flight.”
- Marcus DeLeur (Cardiff)
Position: Midfielder
2018 games: 15
2018 goals: 9
His stats may not place him in the top five but his prowess on game day keeps him in contention. A former Calder Cannon (TAC Cup), DeLeur would find a spot in any starting midfield group North of Sydney.
Expert says: “A former VAFA Under 18’s gun with St. Bernard’s, Marcus oozes class,” Ashley Borg.
“Studying to be a doctor, the Cardiff ball winner is a club favourite due to his tenacity at the ball, hardness at the contest and is a genuine ball winner.”
- Cameron Keast (Newcastle City)
Position: Ruckman/Forward
2018 games: 17
2018 goals: 24
If you were to pick a ruckman then Cameron Keast nudges current Elliott Davey medallist Tim Oosterhoff (Killarney Vale) out of contention. He’s big, he finds the goals and also polls well (having finished fourth in last year’s league medal). If that doesn’t justify his spot he also won a best and fairest for Newcastle City in the club’s premiership year.
Expert says: “The best ruckman in the AFL Hunter Central Coast in my 11 years with the league besides Angus Darling,” Ashley Borg.
“He hurts you from the centre bounce, then meanders forward and rips your tired & depleted defence to pieces with his strong, overhead marking skills.
“An all round good guy.”
- Sam Brasington (Singleton Roosters)
Position: Midfielder
2018 games: 15
2018 goals: 10
He’s considered as Singleton’s greatest ever junior and has premierships and the best and fairests to prove it. Brasington continued to shine last year when named in his side’s best for 12 of his 15 games and also finished third in the Davey medal. Very unlucky not to finish in the top three of this list as well.
Expert says: “Brasso is a genuine utility,” Ashley Borg.
“He can stop you from scoring goals, rip you up in midfield and just for good measure, can take hangars up forward and slot them home from outside 50.
“Sam is one of the most talented players in the league and should be higher.
“Went to Cardiff to further his career when Singleton couldn’t field a Cup side and then came home to serve his brothers at the Roosters when they needed him most.”
- James Webster (Terrigal Avoca)
Position: Midfielder/Forward
2018 games: 15
2018 goals: 27
He’s won the Elliott Davey medal not once, not twice but three times. Extremely unlucky to miss out on the number one spot.
Expert says: “A three time Elliott Davey medallist in the BDAFL for best and fairest in the league and reigning best and fairest for the Panthers,” Ashley Borg.
“This guy is full of talent, skill and reminds me of Scott Pendlebury in the way he just glides around the field.
“One of the nicest guys going around and he is relentless in his pursuit of the ball.
“Can hurt you off either foot.”
- Craig Bird (Nelson Bay)
Position: Midfielder
2018 NEAFL games: 14
2018 NEAFL goals: 5
No AFL premiership player has played at Singleton’s ground let alone in the entire league. Former Sydney Swan and Essendon Bomber will be doing just that in eight days time. The 30-year-old can look back on a glorious 157-game career at top level and is best remembered for his 2012 AFL premiership victory.
Most recently he has represented Sydney University in the NEAFL. Last year he re-wrote the history books when he amassed an incredible 20 clearances in a game (beating the previous record of 17 by Southport’s Jordan Keras and Ainslie’s Aaron van den Berg).
Expert says: “When you get to the AFL you must have talent and Birdy was a champion in the league at just 15 years old, when he played his first match for the Marlins,” Ashley Borg.
“A genuine ball winner and proven goal kicker, his experience and skills will be an asset for a very depleted Nelson Bay line up in 2019.”
- Andrew Scott (Singleton Roosters)
Position: Midfielder
2018 games: 16
2018 goals: 10
Singleton playing coach Andrew Scott may just be the club’s most influential player of the modern era.
He’s already a premiership player, two time representative medallist and prominent best and fairest poller while joining Sam Brasington and Alex Mitchell in the Roosters’ terrific midfield trio.
The former NEAFL and WAFL ball winner was infamously selected at half back on debut against Newcastle City on his April 9, 2016 debut. But he’s prevailed and done enough to hold off Bird, Webster and Brasington to take our mantle ahead of the 2019 AFL Hunter Central Coast season.
Expert says: “Runner up in the BDAFL’s Davey medal, Andrew is one of the best players I have seen live,” Ashley Borg.
“He has the skills, the fitness and the strength to rip oppositions apart.
“He would be the first player tagged on most coaches lists.
“Andrew can win a game off his own boot, is a class act on the field and a wonderful example to his Roosters’ as playing coach.
“He was twice named Representative Player of the Year for the BDAFL as well.
