MIHOCEK KEY FOR MAGPIES
THIS WEEK’S BEST
GEELONG midfielder Tim Kelly might stake some claims, but Brody Mihocek continues to firm as the best value pick from last year’s draft after helping Collingwood secure a top-four finals position.
Mature-aged West Australian Kelly went to the Cats at pick 24 and has been an instant success in the engine room — but the Pies’ decision to give 25-year-old Mihocek a shot at his AFL dream is without doubt the story of 2018.
The former defender was thrown a lifeline in the rookie draft and, after a spate of injuries at Collingwood, made his AFL debut against Fremantle in Round 11, booting four goals.
On Saturday, he again came back to haunt the Dockers, kicking two majors in a minute late in the last quarter to drag the Pies across the line when it looked as though they had blown their chance of holding on to a top-four spot.
“He has been unreal all year. The funny thing is he came in as a defender,” Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury said after the win.
“I think he has kicked 20odd goals for the year. He is incredibly smart footballwise. It is a credit to him for sticking at it for so long.”
Mihocek finished with 3.2 from 15 disposals, and spent the majority of the match in an intriguing one-on-one battle with fellow Tasmanian, North-West Coast product Alex Pearce.
Pearce had 22 disposals and eight marks (two of which were intercepts) but would be disappointed that his direct opponent had a major influence late in the tight contest.
Another coastal boy, Brady Grey, also featured in the clash, picking up eight touches in the first quarter before finishing with 15.
Adelaide signed off on a horror 2018 campaign with a 104-point mauling of Carlton, with Hugh Greenwood at his bullocking best with 10 tackles in the midfield, a feat that was matched by Mitch Robinson in Brisbane’s loss to West Coast.
Big man Toby Nankervis had a field day against an undersized Western Bulldogs ruck department in Rich- mond’s narrow win at the MCG on Saturday.
Nankervis had more hitouts (25) than Jackson Trengove and Jordan Roughead (20) combined, while he also had an influence around the ground with 21 disposals, seven marks and a goal.