It’s one of the most open fields ever, with players on all lines enjoying strong seasons.
Fremantlefc.com.au takes a look at some of the main chances and a smoky who could leave the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre with the Doig Medal around their neck.
The Favourites
Michael Johnson - Defence
The half-back general was a supreme figure in the AFL’s best backline. He led the team for marks and rebound 50s in 2013 and was the only defender to finish top five at Freo for uncontested possessions (3rd). He will need to have a substantial lead entering the finals, however, as he misses round 23 and the Qualifying Final through injury. Despite this, Johnson’s consistency was a standout in 2013 and he would be a deserving Doig Medallist.
Michael Barlow – Midfield
Fremantle’s top disposal-getter by a fair way in 2013, Barlow was a model of consistency. He didn’t just pick up cheap touches either, leading the club in contested possessions, as well as topping Freo for hard-ball gets and loose-ball gets. He was best-on-ground in the Qualifying Final so he will have votes up his sleeve in September that could tilt the Medal in his favour. Another positive was that Barlow only missed the one game in mid-season, so expect a strong polling year by the ball-magnet.
Nat Fyfe – Midfield
The midfield sensation was the runner-up in the Doig Medal in 2011, in just his second season of AFL. He has grown in all facets of his game since then and will be a big chance to ascend to club champion status in 2013. A troublesome shoulder injury curtailed the Lake Grace star’s 2012 season, but Fyfe showed no discomfort this year, taking numerous overhead and leading the club for contested grabs. He finished in the top five in most key performance indicator categories and was brilliant in the finals series. The only drawback could be the two-game suspension early in the season.
David Mundy - Midfield
Mundy is a prolific ball-winner, but he’s also the sort of player who doesn’t need a lot of disposals to be damaging and gain votes. The 2010 Doig Medallist led the club in clearances this season and was also prominent in many midfield indicators. He was excellent in the finals series, and if he needs a big game to propel him to the top of the leader board, Mundy will get it from his sensational Grand Final effort.
Ryan Crowley – Midfield tagger
No one needs to be convinced anymore that Ryan Crowley can win the Doig Medal. He did so in 2012 and he has played his tagging role to the same high level in 2013. Crowley is a huge chance to go back-to-back.
Chris Mayne – Forward
Mayne enjoyed a tremendously consistent season in 2013. He finished second for goals kicked behind Michael Walters, but it was often what Mayne did without the ball that highlighted his worth to the team. He tackled ferociously from go to whoa and was among the best forwards in the AFL for pressure acts. While these deeds don’t catch the umpires’ eyes in Brownlow Medal voting, it’s the coaches who hand out the Doig Medal votes and that makes Mayne a main hope to take out the Medal this year.
The Smoky
Lee Spurr – Defence
If playing your role on a weekly basis and playing it well was attuned to polling Doig Medal votes, then Lee Spurr must be in with a chance of a high finish. Luckily for the mature-age recruit, that’s exactly what Fremantle’s coaches like to reward. The ultimate team man, Spurr took on and beat most of the AFL best small forward’s in 2013, and his performance in the Qualifying Final at Simonds Stadium was superb.
