After a weird 2020, we have the 2021 Lucky Find. Who will be the best new player in this, the post-20 age? Stay tuned and find out... 55 players this year, most of them are from the 2021 AFL draft. In fact, less than 1/3 of the players played last year. But then again, the PSD is often about finding the star new recruit. Previous winners: 2014: Matthew Jaensch (Ararat) Pick 108 2015: Stefan Martin (Coolgardie) Pick 11 2016: Tom Scully (Eden) Pick 26 2017: Andrew McGrath (Cow Bay) Pick 1 2018: Tim Kelly (Gisborne) Pick 17 2019: Sam Walsh (Blanchetown) Pick 1 2020: Noah Anderson (Pakenham) Pick 4 Actually, that's an interesting trend. Before 2017, the winners were all established players getting a new run. After that, it's been new players. So without further ado...
Round 1 Votes: D. Moore (COW) 5 L. Sholl (STG) 4 I. Cumming (SOU) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 J. Rotham (SOU) 1 Flynn, Gulden, Spargo, Rowe, Markov and McDonald missed the votes. Total Votes: D. Moore (COW) 5 L. Sholl (STG) 4 I. Cumming (SOU) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 J. Rotham (SOU) 1
Round 2 Votes: E. Gulden (HG/GRT)* 5 B. Campbell (PEA) 4 I. Cumming (SOU) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 O. Markov (BAN) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 6 D. Moore (COW), E. Gulden (HG/GRT)* 5 L. Sholl (STG), N. Hind (KOR) 4 J. Rotham (SOU), O. Markov (BAN) 1 *Depends on poll results
Round 3 Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 5 N. Cox (BBU) 4 M. Flynn (ARA) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 J. Rotham (SOU) 1 Chapman missed the votes Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 11 N. Hind (KOR) 6 D. Moore (COW), E. Gulden (HG/GRT)* 5 L. Sholl (STG), N. Cox (BBU) 4, M. Flynn (ARA) 3 J. Rotham (SOU) 2, O. Markov (BAN) 1 *Depends on poll results
Round 4 Votes: L. Sholl (SFB) 5 N. Cox (BBU) 4 D. Moore (COW) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 H. Chapman (COW) 1 Powell missed the votes Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 11, L. Sholl (STG) 9 N. Hind (KOR), D. Moore (COW), N. Cox (BBU) 8, E. Gulden (HG/GRT)* 5 M. Flynn (ARA) 3 J. Rotham (SOU) 2, O. Markov (BAN), H. Chapman (COW) 1 After the first 4 rounds, Issac Cumming is in the lead as a testament to the old ways of picking a player to get a second chance. Second placed Sholl is also in a breakout year. Hind polling 2s in 4 rounds is the most consecutive rounds anyone has polled the same amount. (without missing the votes). The most consecutive times including missed games was Tim Kelly with 5 5s. That being said, Hind's 4 2s in 4 rounds doesn't include games away so that would seem more significant.
Round 5 Votes: O. Markov (BAN) 5 L. Sholl (STG) 4 N. Hind (KOR) 3 I. Cumming (SOU) 2 (W) J. Rowe (SFB) 1 (L) Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU), L. Sholl (STG) 13 N. Hind (KOR) 11, D. Moore (COW), N. Cox (BBU) 8, O. Markov (BAN) 6, E. Gulden (GRT) 5, M. Flynn (ARA) 3 J. Rotham (SOU) 2, H. Chapman (COW), J. Rowe (SFB) 1 Hind finally gets the 3. Another odd fact is round 5 seems to be the round that sorts out the top contenders with every winner so far having been 1st or 2nd (in Anderson's case, equal 2nd) after round 5. Does that make this a 3-player comp? Definitely not. As form can change at any moment. But it's still interesting to observe.
Round 6 Votes: E. Hughes (HG) 5 I. Cumming (SOU) 4 T. Powell (EDN) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 L. Sholl (STG) 1 Thilthorpe missed the votes Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 17, L. Sholl (STG) 14, N. Hind (KOR) 13, D. Moore (COW), N. Cox (BBU) 8, O. Markov (BAN) 6, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, M. Flynn (ARA), T. Powell (EDN) 3 J. Rotham (SOU) 2, H. Chapman (COW), J. Rowe (SFB) 1 With Moore and Cox 9 votes behind the lead, it does seem likely the top 3 will be the main contenders later in the season.
Round 7 Votes: T. Powell (EDN) 5 A. Perkins (KOR) 4 I. Cumming (SOU) 3 N. Hind (KOR) 2 J. Rotham (SOU) 1 (W) O. Markov (BAN) (L) Cousins and Jones missed the votes Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 20, N. Hind (KOR) 15, L. Sholl (STG) 14, D. Moore (COW), N. Cox (BBU), T. Powell (EDN) 8, O. Markov (BAN) 6, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR) 4, M. Flynn (ARA), J. Rotham (SOU) 3 H. Chapman (COW), J. Rowe (SFB) 1 The usual close margin in the votes. 8 points between getting a 5 and a 2.
Round 8 Votes: O. Markov (BAN) 5 N. Hind (KOR) 4 J. Rowe (SER) 3 I. Cumming (SOU) 2 J. Rotham (SOU) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 22, N. Hind (KOR) 19, L. Sholl (STG) 14, O. Markov (BAN) 11 D. Moore (COW), N. Cox (BBU), T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB) J. Rotham (SOU) 4, M. Flynn (ARA) 3 H. Chapman (COW) 1 The classic 2 player chase begins.
Round 9 Votes: N. Hind (KOR) 5 J. Cousins (EDN) 4 I. Cumming (SOU) 3 O. Markov (BAN) 2 J. Rotham (SOU) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 25, N. Hind (KOR) 24, L. Sholl (STG) 14, O. Markov (BAN) 13 D. Moore (COW), N. Cox (BBU), T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG), J. Rotham (SOU) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB) , J. Cousins 4, M. Flynn (ARA) 3 H. Chapman (COW) 1 3rd place is now over 2 games behind 1st
Round 10 Votes: N. Hind (KOR) 5 M. Flynn (ARA) 4 N. Cox (BBU) 3 D. Moore (COW) 2 I. Cumming (SOU) 1 Total Votes: N. Hind (KOR) 29, I. Cumming (SOU) 26, L. Sholl (STG) 14, O. Markov (BAN) 13 N. Cox (BBU) 11, D. Moore (COW) 10, T. Powell (EDN) 8, M. Flynn (ARA) 7 E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG), J. Rotham (SOU) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN) 4, H. Chapman (COW) 1 Forgot to add Campbell in round 2 and since all subsequent rounds are copy-paste...
Round 11 Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 5 C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 J. Rotham (SOU) 3 O. Markov (BAN) 2 N. Hind (KOR) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 31, N. Hind (KOR) 30, O. Markov (BAN) 15, L. Sholl (STG) 14, N. Cox (BBU) 11, D. Moore (COW) 10, T. Powell (EDN), J. Rotham (SOU) 8, M. Flynn (ARA) 7 E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 H. Chapman (COW) 1 Coleman-Jones scoring 112 in his ORFFU debut.
Round 12 Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 5 D. Moore (COW) 4 J. Rotham (SOU) 3 M. Flynn (ARA) 2 O. Markov (BAN) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 36, N. Hind (KOR) 30, O. Markov (BAN) 16, L. Sholl (STG), D. Moore (COW) 14, N. Cox (BBU), J. Rotham (SOU) 11, M. Flynn (ARA) 9, T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 H. Chapman (COW) 1 Cumming leading by 6. His average of 93 is equal to Tim Kelly's average in 2018.
Round 13 Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 5 N. Hind (KOR) 4 L. Sholl (STG) 3 O. Markov (BAN) 2 R. Thilthorpe (HPD) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 41, N. Hind (KOR) 34, O. Markov (BAN) 18, L. Sholl (STG) 17, D. Moore (COW) 14, N. Cox (BBU), J. Rotham (SOU) 11, M. Flynn (ARA) 9, T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 H. Chapman (COW), R. Thilthorpe (HPD) 1 41 votes put Cumming ahead of previous winner Sam Walsh who finished with 39
Round 14 Votes: N. Hind (KOR) 5 D. Moore (COW) 4 N. Cox (BBU) 3 I. Cumming (SOU) 2 W. Phillips (HG) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 43, N. Hind (KOR) 39, O. Markov (BAN), D. Moore (COW) 18, L. Sholl (STG) 17, N. Cox (BBU) 14, J. Rotham (SOU) 11, M. Flynn (ARA) 9, T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 H. Chapman (COW), R. Thilthorpe (HPD), W. Phillips (HG) 1 Speaking of 39, Moore now equals Walsh's score. Record is still Tim Kelly with 56.
Round 15 Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 5 D. Moore (COW) 4 N. Hind (KOR) 3 C. Spargo (COW) 2 M. Flynn (ARA) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 48, N. Hind (KOR) 42, D. Moore (COW) 22, O. Markov (BAN) 18, L. Sholl (STG) 17, N. Cox (BBU) 14, J. Rotham (SOU) 11, M. Flynn (ARA) 10, T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 C. Spargo (COW) 2, H. Chapman (COW), R. Thilthorpe (HPD), W. Phillips (HG) 1 At 48 votes, Cumming moves up to 3rd most votes historically. Stefan Martin got 54 in 2015.
Round 16 Votes: D. Moore (COW) 5 N. Cox (BBU) 4 J. Rotham (SOU) 3 I. Cumming (SOU) 2 T. Fullarton (BAN) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 50, N. Hind (KOR) 42, D. Moore (COW) 27, O. Markov (BAN), N. Cox (BBU) 18, L. Sholl (STG) 17, J. Rotham (SOU) 14, M. Flynn (ARA) 10, T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT), E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 C. Spargo (COW) 2, H. Chapman (COW), R. Thilthorpe (HPD), W. Phillips (HG), T. Fullarton (BAN) 1 The Winner of the 2021 Lucky Find Issac Cumming of Southern Cross (Pick 24)
Just as some background, I’ve delisted Cumming twice and drafted him three times. This year was make or break for him so I’m glad he’s delivered. Didn’t expect a 90 average, was more thinking 75, so suitably impressed with his output. I guess the real question is at what cost did I draft him? Apart from using pick 24 I had to free up list space and with Preuss going to the Giants, I didn’t see a future for Flynn, so jettisoned the big man, only for him to play a leading role for GWS this year. It’s difficult for me to decide if the cost was too high after Flynn’s season and subsequent trade value, but I’m happy that, for squad balance, I was able to obtain a player that now looks a mainstay of the defence and should continue to improve as he gets closer to, and surpasses, the 50 game mark. Go Sandgropers!!!
Round 17 Votes: D. Moore (COW) 5 N. Hind (KOR) 4 I. Cumming (SOU) 3 E. Gulden (GRT) 2 J. Ugle-Hagen (BBU) 1 Total Votes: I. Cumming (SOU) 53, N. Hind (KOR) 46, D. Moore (COW) 32, O. Markov (BAN), N. Cox (BBU) 18, L. Sholl (STG) 17, J. Rotham (SOU) 14, M. Flynn (ARA) 10, T. Powell (EDN) 8, E. Gulden (GRT) 6, E. Hughes (HG) 5, A. Perkins (KOR), J. Rowe (SFB), B. Campbell (PEA) J. Cousins (EDN), C. Coleman-Jones (CHR) 4 C. Spargo (COW) 2, H. Chapman (COW), R. Thilthorpe (HPD), W. Phillips (HG), T. Fullarton (BAN), J. Ugle-Hagen (BBU) 1 Even in the last round, someone new gets a vote. As for Issac Cumming, he finishes 3rd in total votes in a year with his win.