St Kilda duo Eli Templeton and Cam Shenton will lead a strong Saints contingent when Sandringham crowns its best and fairest for 2016 on Friday night.
The pair will head into the count as favourites, while Brodie Murdoch, Brandon White and Sandringham-listed player Kade Answerth all loom as outside contenders for the Neil Bencraft Best and Fairest.
In a stellar year for Templeton and Shenton, both made frequent appearances in Sandringham’s bests to become vital cogs in the Zebra’s lineup.
Averaging 26.4 possessions, five inside 50s and four tackles across 17 games, Templeton took his development to another level in 2016 – becoming a damaging high-possession midfielder.
On seven occasions Templeton amassed 30+ disposals, including games of 36 possessions against Collingwood, 36 vs Northern Blues and 35 against Werribee.
The 21-year-old should expect to collect a bulk of his best on ground votes in a four game stretch between round 10-15, where he averaged 33.5 disposals, six inside 50s and seven marks.
Templeton’s form in 2016 reflected in the JJ Liston Trophy voting, finishing fifth in the league’s best and fairest – just four votes behind the winner, Williamstown’s Michael Gibbons.
While for Shenton, he flourished in a new role up forward. Initially moved inside 50 as a medium sized forward, the 26-year-old quickly became the main man as fellow forwards either fell to injury or were elevated to the St Kilda side.
Booting 42 goals for the year, Shenton finished second in the VFL goal kicking, just seven behind former Saint and current Coburg star Ahmed Saad.
As the year went on, Shenton’s goal tally ascended rapidly and should finish the count with a wet sail, collecting majority of his votes in the back half of 2016.
His output doubled from a goal a game inside the first 13 rounds to booting 28 in the last 10 games. Performances included a stretch of six goals against North Ballarat, four vs Box Hill, three against Richmond, four against Werribee and four in Sandringham’s elimination final win over Port Melbourne.
While Templeton and Shenton will enter Friday night the ones to beat, there are a number of players expected to rival the two Saints.
Sandringham-listed youngster Kade Answerth starred in his debut year, becoming a key component of the Zebras midfield to no doubt have AFL recruiters taking notice.
Averaging 18 disposals and seven tackles, the Oakleigh Chargers product fast became a midfield warrior, impressing with his contested style and strong tackling ability.
Answerth’s hard-at-it, no compromising style was evident from the start, putting in a best on ground performance in Sandringham’s round five win over Collingwood. A consistent year was rounded out by a gutsy 25 disposals, eight marks and two goals against Williamstown in the Zebras’ semi-final loss.
Brodie Murdoch and Brendon White are another two who should also be rewarded for good years with a solid showing in the vote tally.
Murdoch is expected to poll well on the night with his dash and booming left foot not doubt catching the eye of voters.
Averaging 20.6 disposals and six marks, Murdoch had no trouble finding the ball to become the side’s main rebounding defender. Should poll well early, with strong performances in the VFL forcing his Saints selection in round 10.
Making his St Kilda debut in round 23, White made the bests in seven of his 13 games in a productive first year at the club. It was a particularly strong finish to the year, with named in the bests in four of his last five games and like Shenton, may see a flurry of late votes.
Last Five Neil Bencroft Best & Fairest Winners
2015: Clint Jones
2014: Adam Cockie
2013: Adam Cockie
2012: Tom Curren
2011: James Magner
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