Another month of the AFL season is now in the books, with a number of noteworthy performances headlining the last five rounds. Tom Stewart, Jack Sinclair and Charlie Curnow have been nominated for the AFLPA’s MVP of the Month award, proudly presented by Snaffle.
Charlie Curnow
Outright leader for the Coleman Medal at the halfway point of the season, Charlie Curnow’s past month has been outstanding.
In the absence of twin tower Harry McKay, and a host of other key position talls, Curnow has stood up for the Blues with 18 goals across his past four matches – including two bags of six goals.
He produced his best in Round 8 against the Crows, with his 21 disposals and ten marks culminating in a six-goal haul and 15 score involvements, earning him a perfect 10 in the AFLCA votes.
Tom Stewart
A performance which produced numbers off the charts against the Crows in Round 11 put the exclamation point on Tom Stewart’s nomination.
The veteran defender recorded an enormous 40 disposals (the second time he’s done so this season), as well as a career-high 16 marks. His 34 kicks went at 85% efficiency and gained his side 874 metres, while his 17 intercept possessions thwarted countless opposition attacks.
He now trails only Hawthorn’s James Sicily for marks this season (averaging 8.7 per game) and sits equal seventh in the league for intercept possessions. Having missed the tail-end of the 2021 season, if Stewart’s importance to the Cats’ back six was ever in question, the previous month has quashed any doubt.
Jack Sinclair
As St Kilda continues to climb the premiership ladder, the form of Jack Sinclair has followed the same trajectory.
Sinclair has strung together three consecutive 30-plus disposal performances – resulting in three wins for his side – taking his season average to a career-best 28, bouncing between the midfield and half-back for the Saints.
He was at his scintillating best in Round 11 against the Kangaroos, with 32 touches (27 kicks), ten marks and an impressive 764 metres gained.