BRASH’S TOP 50: 21-30

WAYNE Brasher, a senior EFL Media Team member and avid high division EFL observer for the past two decades, has cast his eyes across the league and compiled a list of the Top 50 players in the competition.

The list is purely subjective and based upon personal opinion.

CRITERIA

• To be eligible for selection in the Top 50, players must have been playing in the EFL during 2013 and still playing in 2014.
• While many new recruits from outside the EFL may make a name for themselves in our competition during 2013, they are not eligible to be included this year.

First edition: Players ranked 41 to 50

Second edition: Players ranked 31 to 40

This week, we continue Brash’s Top 50 with players ranked 21 to 30.

30. Dean Millhouse (Vermont)

Once again, the general of the Eagles’ defence came to the fore in the 2013 season. It was no surprise to see him again picked in the SEN Division 1 Team of the Year. “Milly” is reliable and his decision making is spot on more times than not. Couple this with sublime timing, either by foot or hand, and wonderful abilities to sum up a situation and to thwart many opposition forward forays. Millhouse is a great leader and much respected footballer. His experience and knowhow will be vital in a make-or-break season for the Eagles.

29. Joel Perry (East Ringwood)

Unfortunately injury played a role in hampering Perry’s influence for East Ringwood last season. A key position player of immense talent, Perry has played at the highest level and sets high expectations, not only for himself, but his teammates as well. Appointed the Roos’ captain for 2014, he has a competitive edge, is rarely beaten in a contest and has developed into an excellent on-field leader. If he stays sound this year, Dale Bower has a player that he can build a backline around with invaluable experience.

28. Brett Johnson (Montrose)

The Montrose coach led his team to the Division 2 flag in 2013. And that leadership will be needed again as the side embarks in Division 1 this year. Johnson is a classy player blessed with silk disposal skills. No stranger to pressure as he has played at the top level, Johnson is a versatile player. He can play as a midfielder, where he can dominate clearances by winning his own ball, or play as a dangerous forward with good goal sense. Johnson can dominate clearances and has extremely good decision-making skills. Look for him to lead from the front as his experience and maturity will be invaluable in a ground-breaking year for the club.

27. Shane Tregear (Balwyn)

Highly rated by his coach because of his superb skills, Tregear’s penetrating left foot and ability to run the lines through the midfield in space causes major headaches for opposition sides. He has great hands, combined with clean disposal and a highly intensive work rate. Just as valuable, he is a goal kicker, evident by his 45 goals from his past 42 matches. Tregear again will be a damaging player for the Tigers this season.

26. Adam Parker (Vermont)

This is a very shrewd pickup for the Eagles this year, which, I believe, adds another dynamic to their midfield. Parker has the ability to win the ball at will and, with excellent decision making, is able to cleanly distribute the ball to his fellow midfielders and forwards. He can impact games very quickly and is a hard runner with a strong body. Parker also has quick hands and is a great user of the ball. He will relish playing in a side with a quality midfield and his experience and leadership will be invaluable.

25. Tom Schneider (Vermont)

Arrived at the Eagles in 2013 highly credentialed after a stint at Box Hill where he won the club’s 2012 Best and Fairest award. Schneider is a tough, nuggetty yet classy midfielder who is a ball magnet. He can amass possessions quickly, which hurts the opposition. Whilst not blessed with high speed, he has the ability to be where the ball is. Schneider is courageous, gets in and under and is able to setup play when he is control of the ball. He was consistently in the Eagles’ top three players in 2013 and was rewarded with the club’s Best and Fairest award. Expect Schneider to once again lead the charge in a revamped Eagles midfield this season.

24. Dean Grice (Boronia)

One begs the question: how good is Grice? Ask the Hawks hierarchy and they’ll tell you he’s a gun and a legend to boot. And to back up that claim, he’s now a four-time Senior Best and Fairest medallist, after winning the Paul Edie medal in 2013. Although injury cruelled a promising VFL career, the EFL has benefited from his presence each week, as we to get to witness a quality midfielder blessed with sublime skills, exceptional disposal and a great work ethic.

23. Matt Polkinghorne (Mooroolbark)

Many good judges rate pound-for-pound this Mooroolbark midfielder as the best in Division 2 after another outstanding season. His fearless attack on the football with no regard for his own safety, not only endears him to his coaches and supporters, but commands the respect of opposition teams alike. Polkinghorne has a great work rate, is hard, tough and strong in the clinches and is a great user of the ball, valuing every possession. Look to him to lead from the front and marshal the troops again in the 2014 season.

22. Marc O’Regan (Balwyn)

Every coach loves to have a player that likes to get down and dirty. O’Regan is that type of player, who plays a run-with role on the opposition’s marquee player. His strengths are his stamina and hard running, which give him the ability to curb an opponent’s influence on the game as well as contribute to the overall team performance. While he does not receove the accolades as much as his more illustrious teammates do, his value to the side should not be underestimated. Opposition coaches will need to find a way to negate his impact this season. Affectionately known as the “glove” because of how close he wears his opponents, he is no doubt the premier stopper in the EFL.

21. Simon Taylor (Vermont)

Another player who has suffered his fair share of injuries but had his best season for the Eagles in 2013. A difficult opponent to encounter in the ruck due to his sheer height, Taylor plays the tap ruckman role down to a tee and provides many opportunities to the Eagles on-ball and midfield brigade.  He also has the ability to go forward, take a strong mark and kick goals. A former AFL player, Taylor now carries the fortunes of the ruck division for the Eagles this year and his impact will determine how far they can go.

NEXT WEEK: 11-20 revealed.

Brash’s Top 50 so far…