3. Connor Pettersson
Club: Manly-Warringah
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Ainslie (2008-09), Southport (2010-11)
Number in last years count: Number 5
Analysis:
Captaincy obviously hasn’t been a burden for this classy midfielder as he rises two spots in this year’s Top 20 countdown, and may consider himself unlucky not to be higher.
The laidback keen surfer and professional personal trainer has all of the attributes to be one of the most respected players in the competition. Resilient and tough, Pettersson has earned his stripes playing in the respective state leagues in ACT and Queensland before rejoining his former club in 2012 where he dominated in the Under 18 competition some years earlier.
The Forest Junior finished a close runner-up in the Phelan Medal count last season to Alex Goodall after a brilliant back end to the season.
His key strengths include his ability to win the ball and read the play as well as the rare trait of being just as precise a kick on his non-preferred left foot as his right.
That appetite for winning is well exhibited in the fact he has claimed premierships at Manly in 2007, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
2015 has arguably been Pettersson's best AFL Sydney season to date where he has been a standout in a consistently high performing team.
He is a real accumulator in the Trent Cotchin mould, and has rarely been nullified this season by opposition defences despite plenty of close attention.
The 25 year-old will be a driving force if Manly-Warringah are to make it three straight Premier Division titles and the fact that he sports blonde locks and a headband should ensure he gains the umpires attention in the individual awards.
The count so far:
20. Tom Larby (UTS)
19. Alexander Wynn (St George)
18. Kieran Wright (Pennant Hills)
17. Taran Etto (Western Suburbs)
16. Blake Anderson (East Coast)
15. Jamie Vlatko (East Coast)
14. Kieran Emery (East Coast)
13. Damian Bonney (Manly Warringah)
12. Matt Carey (Pennant Hills)
11. Anthony Robertson (Manly Warringah)
10. Blake Guthrie (St George)
9. Andrew Browning (East Coast)
8. Stuart Turner (East Coast)
7. Paul Bevan (Western Suburbs)
6. James Brain (Manly Warringah)
5. Jack Dimery (East Coast)
4. Brayden Fowler (Manly Warringah)
Last Modified on 24/07/2015 12:06
