Debate has raged over the value of Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett’s record 53-possession performance in a losing side, but Nathan Buckley and Guy McKenna clearly saw Thomas as the most influential player on the ground.
With 32-possessions and three goals, the Magpie livewire was well and truly back to his brilliant best after a steady start to 2012. He kicked into gear with a 13-disposal last quarter against Adelaide eight days prior and took things up another notch against the Suns at the MCG.
Watch all of Sunday's highlights on CTV.
Of his 32 touches, over half were contested while his work at the stoppages was a key component in the side’s comprehensive victory. Thomas also managed to lay four tackles, adhering to his season average of 4.2
It is the third time Thomas has polled this season having received votes in the games against Richmond in round two and Adelaide in round nine.
Ablett, on the other hand, scurried his way around the ground to fossick 53 disposals to see him join fellow Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams as the record holder for the highest amount of possessions in a match.
Thirty-five per cent of his disposals were won in a contest, and he managed to lay six tackles, illustrating his ability to work both ways. Interestingly, 14 of his possessions were used in defence, underlining how hard he worked to cover each part of the ground.
The latest news on Scott Pendlebury.
The Suns’ captain was joined on seven votes by Dayne Beams who continues to motor along in the Collingwood engine room. He added another 32 disposals to his season tally of 262. It’s now been seven weeks since he had won less than 27 possessions.
Sharrod Wellingham’s season-high 27 disposals were rewarded with four votes from the coaches. It was the wingman’s highest disposal return since his best on ground display against Melbourne on the Queen’s Birthday last year (37 possessions).
Two All-Australians, Travis Cloke and Nick Maxwell, rounded out the voting with one vote apiece.
LIKE us on Facebook now.
Injured vice-captain Scott Pendlebury still leads all comers with 55 votes, eight ahead of Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) and Brent Stanton (Essendon) and 27 in front of his nearest Collingwood rival Dane Swan. The Brownlow Medallist will have the opportunity to make up some ground on his teammate should he return from a hamstring injury against the Demons on Monday.
Collingwood v Gold Coast Voting
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Dale Thomas | Coll |
| 7 | Gary Ablett | GC |
| 7 | Dayne Beams | Coll |
| 4 | Sharrod Wellingham | Coll |
| 1 | Travis Cloke | Coll |
| 1 | Nick Maxwell | Coll |
Collingwood leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (number of matches the player polled)
| Votes | Player |
|---|---|
| 55 | Scott Pendlebury (6) |
| 28 | Dane Swan (4) |
| 25 | Steele Sidebottom (4) |
| 21 | Dayne Beams (3) |
| 13 | Ben Reid (2) |
| 13 | Dale Thomas (3) |
| 10 | Harry O'Brien (2) |
| 5 | Travis Cloke (2) |
| 5 | Sharrod Wellingham (2) |
| 4 | Nick Maxwell (2) |
| 3 | Nathan Brown (1) |
| 3 | Ben Johnson (1) |
| 1 | Jarryd Blair (1) |
| 1 | Marty Clarke (1) |
| 1 | Alan Didak (1) |
| 1 | Tyson Goldsack (1) |
Leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 47 | Matthew Boyd | Western Bulldogs |
| 47 | Brent Stanton | Essendon |
| 43 | Jobe Watson | Essendon |
| 42 | Trent Cotchin | Richmond |
| 42 | Scott Thompson | Adelaide |
| 40 | Josh Kennedy | Sydney |
| 39 | Patrick Dangerfield | Adelaide |
| 38 | Rory Sloane | Adelaide |
| 37 | Gary Ablett | Gold Coast |
