WITH Wildcard Round in our midst and lower-ranked teams looking to throw a spanner in the works, we take a look at which players hold the all-important X-factor heading into what promises to be an interesting round of NAB League action. Note, the top three teams – Eastern, Gippsland, and Oakleigh – have automatically qualified for finals, so will not feature in this piece.

Sandringham Dragons (4th, 9-6, 132.6%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Geelong Falcons

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 10 – Sandringham won by 2 points

Wildcard Player:

Miles Bergman | Utility/Forward
18/11/2001 | 188cm | 77kg

High impact and tons of X-factor, Bergman fits the wildcard mould perfectly. While he will likely spend most of his time as a high half-forward or wingman, Bergman’s power and clean hands could also see him be thrown into the midfield if Sandringham need a spark or different look. Gets the nod based on those traits, but more importantly on the back of his final quarter performance in the Herald Sun Shield grand final, where he rose for a strong mark on defensive 50 to help St Bedes escape heavy pressure and go up the other end to score. He makes things happen, hopefully he has a few moments like that left.

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Calder Cannons (5th, 9-6, 93.8%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Tasmania Devils

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 4 – Tasmania won by 12 points

Wildcard Player:

Harrison Jones | Key Forward
25/02/2001 | 194cm | 75kg

You just sense that Jones is on the verge of a big game. He has the traits to grab one by the scruff of its neck – fantastic high marking and an efficient set shot routine – but hasn’t yet put it all together to go out and win a game for the Cannons in his five outings. As he nails down his spot and looks to really shine as one of this year’s leading key forwards, expect a big lift from Jones. The likes of Ned Gentile, Sam Ramsay, and Jackson Cardillo are other Cannons who were in the hunt here, but are perhaps ironically too consistent to be considered a wildcard.

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Northern Knights (6th, 8-7, 105.9%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Bendigo Pioneers

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 5 – Northern won by 5 points
Rd 15 – Bendigo won by 37 points

Wildcard Player:

Josh D’Intinosante | Small Forward/Midfielder
7/07/2001 | 177cm | 76kg

Had a lazy 30 disposals and goal in Northern’s Round 5 meeting with the Pioneers, but was kept much quieter in a big loss in Round 15. Has spent much more time inside forward 50 as opposed to the midfield towards the back end of the season, where he has managed 15 goals in his last four outings to finish second in the NAB League goal kicking charts. His ability to play multiple positions is something a lot of Knights have, but D’Intinosante’s cleverness around goal and game-breaking term against Western last week helps him get ahead here. In what will be a tie-breaker between the sides, expect a player like ‘JD’ to be the difference.

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Western Jets (7th, 8-7, 94.1%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Greater Western Victoria Rebels

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 11 – Western won by 7 points

Wildcard Player:

Darcy Cassar | Half-Back/Wing
31/07/2001 | 183kg | 79kg

Players who can play on each line are invaluable, and Cassar slots right into that category for the Jets. While he was absent in Western’s Round 11 win against the Rebels, Cassar’s early-season form down back was phenomenal and showed a different side to the player we previously knew to be a solid outside runner and smart forward. Since the national carnival, Cassar looks to be building back towards that form but has reverted back more to the wing position. His versatility still wins us over, and could come in handy for the Jets.

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Dandenong Stingrays (8th, 6-8-1, 95%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Murray Bushrangers

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 11 – Murray won by 34 points

Wildcard Player:

Cody Weightman | Small Forward
15/01/2001 | 177cm | 73kg

The leading goal kicker at the national carnival, Weightman has been – needless to say – a very welcome addition for Dandenong coming into the pointy end of the year. Last week marked the first NAB League game this year where Weightman didn’t find the goals, only managing the three behinds. But he is rarely held for consecutive weeks, showcased as he booted bags of four goals for Vic Country in the first and third games. Weightman’s speed, smarts, and aggression make him so dangerous and with Ned Cahill moving up the ground, he should be the leading small forward on the park. With these kinds of games typically contested, watch for a player like Weightman to break it open.

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Murray Bushrangers (9th, 6-9, 98.8%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Dandenong Stingrays

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 11 – Murray won by 34 points

Wildcard Player:

Ben Kelly | Key Position Utility
17/02/2000 | 200cm | 96kg

The over-ager is able to play in every key position post, spending time up either end while constantly pinch-hitting in the ruck. His athleticism means he remains relevant in the air and at ground level, and he will be key for the Bushrangers as they look to combat Dandenong’s own group of versatile talls. His impact in all areas will be known to the Stingrays after he had 10 disposals, 26 hitouts and a goal in their Round 11 meeting, but expect him to still make an impact wherever needed as a more mature body.

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GWV Rebels (10th, 6-9, 88.1%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Western Jets

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 11 – Western won by 7 points

Wildcard Player:

Mitch Martin | Midfielder/Forward
26/03/2001 | 182cm | 78kg

The midfielder/forward really shot into contention on the back of a couple of really handy games inside 50 for Vic Country. Having remained up forward since returning for the Rebels, Martin has found the goals in his last six games – including a most-recent three-goal haul against Murray. His class and cleanliness when hitting up at the ball is terrific, with his finishing of difficult chances even better and something GWV will look towards for inspiration. Had 20 disposals and a goal in Round 11 against the Jets, so should come in with confidence.

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Bendigo Pioneers (11th, 5-10, 100.5%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Northern Knights

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 5 – Northern won by 5 points
Rd 15 – Bendigo won by 37 points

Wildcard Player:

Thomson Dow | Midfielder
16/10/2001 | 183cm | 72kg

The brother of Carlton’s Paddy, Dow has proven his own credentials this year for both Bendigo and Vic Country. His explosiveness and impact further afield proved game-changing in the first three rounds where Bendigo enjoyed two wins, and Dow’s 24-disposal effort last week was a timely reminder of his class. With leading prospect Brodie Kemp missing on the back of a knee injury, expect Dow to take up the reigns as Bendigo’s go-to midfielder and again make a mark on the NAB League after a long period away due to school and representative football.

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Tasmania Devils (12th, 4-11, 79.6%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Calder Cannons

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 4 – Tasmania won by 12 points

Wildcard Player:

Jake Steele | Utility
21/01/2001 | 195cm | 84kg

While there are players in the Tasmanian line-up who possess more X-factor and suit the usual tropes of a player marked with the wildcard tag, Steele makes the list based on his ability to play a role in just about any position for the Devils. He started the year competing as an undersized ruck, has spent time up forward, and has more recently adjusted to a lock-down role down back. He may not always have the biggest impact, but is arguably the Devils’ most important player and is one of the first names on the team sheet.

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Geelong Falcons (13th, 3-11-1, 78.9%)

Wildcard Round Opponent:

Sandringham Dragons

Previous Meeting(s):

Rd 10 – Sandringham won by 2 points

Wildcard Player:

Tanner Bruhn | Midfielder
27/05/2002 | 182cm | 73kg

The only bottom-ager on this list, but for good reason. Coming back into the Falcons lineup after a long injury layoff, Bruhn showed no sign of rust as he collected 16 disposals and booted two goals against Dandenong. He is just so classy on the ball and usually wins a heap of it through midfield, but could spend some more time up forward as he re-builds his tank. He’ll be very important given the depth and strength of Sandringham’s midfield, but surely won’t be deterred as arguably the best of Geelong’s promising 17-year-old fleet.