AFLPlayers.com.au catches up with 2014 MVP, Nat Fyfe, to get his thoughts on the best six players in the game.
When the players voted on the game’s Most Valuable Player for 2014, Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe came up trumps – ahead of Gary Ablett, ‘Buddy’ Franklin and Dyson Heppell. It was no great surprise to see the game’s captains nominate Fyfe as their pick to take out the 2015 Brownlow Medal last week.
“My man-crush in the AFL! Not always best on ground but pops up in the big games when his team needs him most” – Nat Fyfe on Luke Hodge
The 23-year-old Docker is clearly extremely highly rated and respected by his peers, but which players does the Fremantle superstar rate highest?
What’s next for Nat Fyfe? The Dockers star reflects on 2014 and what lies ahead
Fyfe was one of more than 100 players to cast his vote in the Players’ Top 50 – in which he was voted the second-best player, behind Ablett. We asked the high-flying Docker about the players he voted for in the Top 50.
Fyfe’s top six
1. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns)
“The thing about Gary is his ability to have an influence on everything, every time he steps on the field.
“He’s never rattled by the attention he gets. He always keeps a composed head.
“That’s what makes him head and shoulders above the rest.”
2. Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans)
“I really rate Josh because I always play against him and he has so much strength around stoppages.
“He draws three or four players, which opens up the midfield and then sets up their next play for guys like Jack and Hannebery. He’s the nucleus of their midfield.”
3. Jarryd Roughead (HAWTHORN)
“I think Roughead is just a really smart footballer. He uses his strength to his advantage to find space in front of goal. He consistently kicks 50 plus goals [a season] and is always a reliable target.”
4. LUKE HODGE (HAWTHORN)
“My man-crush in the AFL! Not always best on ground but pops up in the big games when his team needs him most.
“I remember in one of my first few years there was a game in Tassie. He tackled me and then lay on top of me for about 30 seconds. That totally drained me for the next play. I thought it was such a clever way to gain advantage. He did give me a tap after the game to check I was okay.”
5. SCOTT PENDLEBURY (COLLINGWOOD)
“‘Pendles’ is another one that seems to find space. Everyone says that. But I also see the really selfless work he does when tagged. He draws his tagger from dangerous space. He’s very intelligent.”
6. HARRY TAYLOR (GEELONG)
“Another one of my man-crushes in the AFL. He’s just a ripping bloke.
“He’s never dictated to as a backman and is always a threat, which you have to plan for when you play them. He’s fearless when going back and taking marks against opposition forwards.”