In a nutshell:
While it wasn't as smooth sailing as it could've been, NANA Winner still showed they have the highest ceiling of all eight sides, and find themselves in the exact same spot as last season, heading into finals.
MVP: Jake Lloyd (92.2PPG)
The league's highest scoring defender, pipping fellow teammates Bachar Houli and Jeremy Howe, Jake Lloyd's presence in NANA Winner's backline was immense.
The 26-year-old finished the year with five 100+ scores in the remaining six weeks, with a season average of 92.2PPG a whopping 15PPG greater than the next best defender from another side.
Surprise packet: Christian Petracca (87.5PPG)
The world has been waiting for Christian Petracca to have a breakout season, but it didn't predict the results and consistency that he showed in 2020.
Petracca was the highest scoring forward this season, averaging a whopping 87.5PPG which only featured one score below 70 all year, a 69 point outing in Round 5.
Signing of the Year: Jy Simpkin (73.4PPG)
Though his form dropped off as the season went on, Jy Simpkin was a terrific free agency acquisition for NANA Winner after Round 1.
Simpkin average 83.3PPG throughout the first six rounds of 2020, and while his scores haven't been as impressive of late, he still has the potential to go large, with a 104 point game as recent as three rounds ago.
Disappointment: Rory Atkins (35.5PPG)
Manthorpe traded up on draft day to secure Rory Atkins, but his 2020 season - which involved only four appearances - was nothing but disappointing.
The 26-year-old is expected to change AFL clubs over the offseason, with Manthorpe hoping a change of scenery will help the defender bounce back into form in 2021.
Best win: Round 12
NANA Winner (1701) def. The Catholic Church (1460)
With just three rounds left for the season, the finals' squeeze was prominent as five teams, including both The Catholic Church and NANA Winner, all tried to fit into four spots.
NANA Winner's total of 1701 was the second-highest for the season, behind their 1738 in Round 2, but the win over The Catholic Church was pivotal in securing the reigning premiers a top two finish in 2020.
Best individual performance: Todd Goldstein (127)
NANA Winner boasts two ruckmen averaging over 83PPG, with Todd Goldstein experiencing a dominant start to the season with an average of exactly 100PPG through the first six rounds.
His season-high of 127 came early in Round 2 as NANA Winner recorded the highest score for the season of 1738.
Finals predictions:
When this side is on, they're easily 100 points clear of their competition, which should see them head into finals as favourites.
Comments