It was round nine and as Adelaide hosted Fremantle, like wise did the Crows’ Patrick Dangerfield host the Dockers’ Nat Fyfe to a gripping midfield contest.
Despite being between two top-eight sides, the match itself was a sideshow compared to what was happening in the guts.
The two modern-day gladiators battled it out all night, and both stars were more than up to the task.
Fyfe was a contested beast throughout the four quarters, collecting 40 touches, one goal, 14 clearances and six tackles, while Dangerfield was just as damaging with 38 touches, one goal, nine clearances and eight tackles.
Fremantle ended up winning the modern-day classic by 11 points, with Fyfe also winning the battle against Dangerfield on Brownlow Medal night, claiming the three votes to Dangerfield’s two — Fyfe would go on to win his first Brownlow that year, with Dangerfield winning the following year.
So drawing this longbow back to the Goulburn Valley League, two of the league’s best and most in-form players are set to go head-to-head in a thrilling round nine match-up.
Shepparton will host Kyabram on Saturday afternoon, but much like that round nine match between Adelaide and Fremantle, the battle between the Bears’ Luke Smith and the Bombers’ Anthony Depasquale will take centre stage.
The two players are unlikely to match up with each other as Fyfe and Dangerfield did nine years ago, but what these two Goulburn Valley stars are capable of on their own is worth the price of entry.
Shepparton’s Smith has been an unstoppable force in 2024 — his first season back in the league since 2018 — and ranks elite in nearly every category you could think of.
Compared to the rest of the league’s midfielders, Smith per game averages elite in ranking points (160), disposals (29.9), contested possessions (16.7), clearances (9.1), inside 50s (5.7), ground ball gets (8.6), tackles (6.3), goals (three), goal assists (1.3), goal involvements (6.6) and score involvements (11.7).
That’s nearly a perfect season for a midfielder.
Add on the fact that Shepparton sits on top of the ladder undefeated with eight wins and that Smith currently sits tied fifth in the league goal-kicking (21 goals from seven games), and it seems you have the perfect resumé for a Morrison Medal recipient.
Luke Smith’s elite 2024 season (average a game)
Ranking points: 160
Disposals: 29.9
Contested possessions: 16.7
Clearances: 9.1
Inside 50s: 5.7
Ground ball gets: 8.6
Tackles: 6.3
Goals: 3
Score involvements: 11.7
However, looming large out west, a bodacious, bustling Bomber is hunting at supersonic speed.
Depasquale has been a key factor behind Kyabram’s recent hot run of form (the Bombers have won four out of their past five matches), with the mid-sized forward kicking bags left, right and centre.
In Kyabram’s past five matches, Depasquale has averaged 120.6 ranking points, 16.6 disposals, 9.4 contested possessions, 8.4 marks, 5.4 marks inside 50, 3.4 tackles, 5.6 goals and 11 score involvements.
Anthony Depasquale’s dominant past five matches (average a game)
Ranking points: 120.6
Disposals: 16.6
Contested possessions: 9.4
Marks: 8.4
Marks inside 50: 5.4
Tackles: 3.4
Goals: 5.6
Score involvements: 11
In goals alone, the gun forward has booted 28 from his past five games (plus three more in the interleague match) to rocket to the top of the league’s goal-kicking with 36 — three ahead of next-best Mooroopna’s Daniel Johnston.
Saturday’s round nine match between Shepparton (first place on the ladder) and Kyabram (sixth) will be important come finals time, but this fixture will also give fans and punters an insight into who may walk away with the Morrison Medal come season’s end.
One FM will be broadcasting the game between Shepparton and Kyabram at Deakin Reserve, live on air from 1.30pm.
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