Did Pendlebury Steele the Norm Smith?

[Magpie Since 1986]

I have watched the game a lazy 4 times this week, so I have seen the match a fair few more times than the judges got to... but I reckon Steele was best on ground by a pretty long way.

Steele did not waste a disposal. Pendles was fantastic but he has a few stray kicks and a shot at goal that goes on the full. Steele is clean and pinpoint in everything he does! He was the best when the game was on the line.

Shaw and Jolly a bit stiff in the voting too but the man of Steele was number 1!

I reckon the judges may have thought "we can't give it to Sidebottom he is too young, well go with a safe choice from an established star".... maybe for the best for the future development of him as it might have got to Steele's head to know he could already be the best player on the ground in the biggest game of the sport. Might have got ahead of himself who knows.

Unbelievable effort from the youngest bloke on the ground. The only teenager on the ground.

At 19, how much better can Steele get?

[Neil Appleby]

Well......I'm inclined to agree. I've watched the game 7 times and initially gave Thomas 3 followed by Sidey and Pendles, but now I'd vote this way:
3. Sidebottom - played 4 quarters and played at both ends smothering defensively, kicking beautifully to space and just cool, cool, cool with every disposal.

2. Thomas - played a great finals series and both his GFs were excellent.

1. Pendlebury - all class

Pendles was a worthy winner no doubt, but I think Sidey showed what we can expect from him over the next 11 years. All good.

[jack_spain]

I agree with you and Neil.

Sidebottom will win many more awards before his career is out.

[Mossi]

As much as I agree with you guys and N°22 got my vote.
I can see why the judges gave the medal to Pendles. Early in the game Pendle's positioning, tackling and disposals were crucial in getting the break on the Saints. The 50 metre pass to Steel early in the third was the back breaker..... Dawes was fantastic Pendles made position to take the Dawes win and Steel seeying this made position and recieved a perfect pass!! No team can stop that sort of Class.
In the end there were at least 7 Norm Smiths in our side, I hope the club makes amends and at the CopelandI'd love to see Dale Thomas Steel and Shaw a threeway tie for the player of the finals!!

[alexluvsdids]

I think Sidebottom was better than Pendles, but I suppose Pendles was on his own a whole lot more so they noticed him better? I dunno, but they both played well!

[HAL]

Me either. Like who, specifically?

[Piesnchess]

Pendles set up the win early on.

[RudeBoy]

I actually think Jolly (Roger) was the most dominant player on the ground. His feeding of the ball to Pendles and others (35 hit outs) at stoppages was sensational, and he followed it up with goals and goal assists.

[Magpie Jack]

We had plenty of good players. I think it's the damage Pendles did with his possessions that swayed it his way. He's our architect.

[Didaicos]

I have to agree, thought Sidebottom was very important.

I also would not have been disappointed if Jolly had won it

[HAL]

[Deja Vu]

Pendles got 10 votes to Steele's 8 from memory. Not much in it at all.

Pendles is a deserving Norm Smith medallist though. Has yet to win a Copeland because he plays in the same team as one Dane Swan. A Normie is just reward for a brilliant year.

[magpiefanatic]

[stui magpie]

Don't care, we won. Norm Smith is icing, the team owns the cake.

[42]

this is a pleasant argument.