Carji Greeves Medal: Geelong Addy experts reveal best picks for medal count

The Addy footy experts have broken down the best chances for the awards on the night, as well as their predictions for the Carji Greeves Medal.

Carji Greeves Medal

Tom Stewart

22 games, 23.1 disposals, 8.3 marks, 2 tackles, 7.2 rebound 50s,

The outstanding favourite for the Carji Greeves, Stewart would join an elite group at the Cattery if he were to claim his second best and fairest.

Stewart won the award in 2021, and the vice captain was dominant again in 2023.

Other previous multiple medal winners this century includes Cam Guthrie (2020, 2022), Patrick Dangerfield (2016, 2017, 2019), Mark Blicavs (2015, 2018), Joel Selwood (2010, 2013, 2014), Corey Enright (2009, 2011), Gary Ablett Jr (2007, 2009), Joel Corey (2005, 2008), and Steven King (2000, 2002).

He would become the third latest draft pick at Geelong to ever win two best-and-fairest awards, with Enright (#47 pick in 1999) and Blicavs (#54 rookie pick in 2011).

Stewart would also tie Garry Hocking, Blicavs and Selwood as the fastest player to win two club best and fairest from their debut, with the four-time winner, utility and former captain all taking seven years to win their second Carji Greeves.

Gryan Miers

23 games, 19 disposals, 4.8 marks, 2.9 tackles, 4.3 inside 50s, 1.78 goal assists, 0.3 goals

A sure-fire winner for Geelong’s best breakout player, if it were an award, Miers’ outstanding season on a half forward flank could net him his first best-and-fairest honours.

Miers notched up his 100th game for the club during the season and became a true fan favourite, setting up the second-most goals in a season in AFL history, falling three shy of Jason Akermanis’ longstanding record.

Known for his unconventional kicking style, the former Grovedale footballer became a sensation during the season for satirical comparisons to Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi.

Tom Atkins

23 games, 19.4 disposals, 1.4 marks, 7.6 tackles, 5 clearances, 10.4 contested possessions

The hard-nosed midfielder finished fifth in the Carji Greeves count last season, and arguably had a much better season in a worse-performing side in 2023.

Atkins became one of the Cats’ most-important midfielders in 2023, almost permanently locked into the centre square rotation.

It is worlds apart from his slow rise to dominance, having come from Geelong’s VFL program and St Joseph’s in the local footy scene, before earning a lifeline as a small forward on the Cats’ list.

Atkins earned the Tom Harley Best Clubman Award in 2022.

Jeremy Cameron

20 games, 16.1 disposals, 5.7 marks, 3.8 inside 50s, 0.7 goal assists, 2.7 goals

Six weeks into the season, Cameron looked a lock to collect his second-consecutive Carji Greeves.

But a dip in form, coupled with a nasty concussion, the birth of his first child and a lingering shoulder injury which ended his season prematurely, meant Cameron’s second half of the season was not as consistent as his first.

Cameron did well in the Brownlow Medal count, leading Geelong’s votes, and will be in the discussion for the Carji Greeves Medal, but may be slightly off the pace.

Mark Blicavs

19 games, 15.8 disposals, 3.4 marks, 10.6 hit outs, 4.2 clearances, 9.3 contested possessions, 0.4 goal assists, 0.6 goals

Blicavs has won the medal twice already, and could join Dangerfield, Selwood and Hocking as members of the three-time Carji Greeves winners.

The utility played the least amount of games out of any of the other genuine contenders, with a hamstring injury and shoulder surgery wiping out the end of his season, but his role is unique at the Cats and is one of coach Chris Scott’s favourites.

Playing primarily as a midfielder, Blicavs also offered Rhys Stanley relief in the ruck throughout the course of the season.

Best Young Player (under 22)

Ollie Henry

22 games, 10.2 disposals, 3.7 marks, 1.6 marks, 1.6 inside 50s, 0.3 goal assists, 1.9 goals

Fresh at the club in 2023, Henry made an instant impact for Geelong this season, booting 41 goals for the year.

He was the substitute in round 4 against Hawthorn, but spent the rest of the season as a key component of the Cats’ forward line.

Oliver booted multiple goals in eight of the first 10 of the season, and finished with 14 games with at least two majors.

Tanner Bruhn

19 games, 16.3 disposals, 3 marks, 4.8 tackles, 2.9 clearances, 2.9 inside 50s, 0.4 goals

Another new Cat in 2023, Bruhn’s start to his career at the Cattery was inconsistent, but once he found his role he started to flourish.

Bruhn debuted for Geelong in round 1 and played the first three games of the season before he was omitted and missed three games, coming back as the substitute.

He then played every game for the rest of the season (except for round 24), lifting his output from 14.7 disposals before the bye to 17.8 after the mid-season break.

Max Holmes

21 games, 19.1 disposals, 3.3 marks, 4.2 tackles, 3.1 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 0.3 goals

Fast-becoming an important member in Geelong’s midfield mix, Holmes adds a dash of pace and burst from stoppage that made Dangerfield such a superstar.

Holmes’ endurance was best suited to a wing role, but his ball-winning ability has developed to the point where he is best-used in the centre square.

He will be one of the Cats’ most-important contract re-signings ahead of the 2024 season, with Holmes coming out of contract at the end of next year.

Addy Experts’ Predictions

Matt Forrest says:

Carji Greeves Medal – Top 5:

1. Tom Stewart

2. Gryan Miers

3. Tom Atkins

4. Jeremy Cameron

5. Ollie Henry

“Stewart was dominant in 2023 and thoroughly deserved his All Australian jacket. Gryan Miers will be nipping at his heels, but Stewart’s consistency throughout the season will have him well-placed to claim his second medal.”

Best young player: Ollie Henry

Tom Harley Award: Cam Guthrie

Brayden May says:

Carji Greeves Medal – Top 5:

1. Tom Stewart

2. Gryan Miers

3. Jeremy Cameron

4. Tom Atkins

5. Mitch Duncan

“Stewart was a standout in what turned out to be a disappointing season for the Cats. He remains among the AFL’s best defenders and shapes as a future captain of the Cats.”

Best young player: Max Holmes

Tom Harley Award: Zach Tuohy

Ben Cameron says:

Carji Greeves Medal – Top 5:

1. Tom Atkins

2. Tom Stewart

3. Gryan Miers

4. Jeremy Cameron

5. Mark Blicavs

“Playing all 23 games this season - only Gryan Miers and Zach Guthrie achieved the same feat - Atkins averaged a career-best 20 disposals a mach in 2023. A consistent contributor for the Cats during a season impacted by injuries to key players, Atkins also led the club for contested touches and tackles.”

Best young player: Ollie Henry

Tom Harley Award: Zach Tuohy

Dan Batten says:

Carji Greeves Medal – Top 5:

1. Tom Stewart

2. Jeremy Cameron

3. Gryan Miers

4. Tom Atkins

5. Tom Hawkins

“Tom Stewart is the clear favourite to take out his second Carji Greeves Medal after another outstanding season, but it is an open race after that. I’m tipping Gryan Miers to be rewarded for his first-team approach, while Jeremy Cameron’s form before his concussion will see him poll well early.”

Best young player: Ollie Henry

Tom Harley Award: Zach Tuohy

Originally published as Carji Greeves Medal: Geelong Addy experts reveal best picks for medal count