Jonathan Brown aside, the general consensus is that Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich and Saints captain Nick Riewoldt are the premier centre-half forwards in the league. Yesterday I was able to see both in action, and therefore can make a comparison of each in the major categories. Here we go…
Speed/Durability
Riewoldt is very quick off a lead and has the fitness to run all day. He doesn’t exactly possess explosive quickness, but he’s able to run balanced sprints for four quarters, making him probably the most tiring defensive proposition in the league. No one is accusing Matthew Pavlich of being slow, but speed isn’t his major asset. He’s quick enough to win front position, but that’s about it. His durability is another major positive. He virtually spends the entire game on the field, and as was seen on Saturday, gets an occasional run in the midfield.
Edge: Riewoldt, by a long way. Riewoldt is faster, and seemingly fitter.
Strength
Riewoldt possesses relative strength and can take an impressive contested mark. But Pavlich is in a whole other division. In terms of strength Pavlich ranks with the elite strongman of the league like Chad Cornes and Jonathan Brown. He wins position with his strength, and always has the edge in one on one situations.
Edge: Pavlich. No contest, Pavlich is rock solid.
Marking
Nick Riewoldt has been known to take some of the most spectacular marks. His duo of courageous going-back-with-the-flight marks against Sydney in recent years have been breathtaking. Matty Pavlich is no pushover either though. Pavlich has excellent marking technique and superb upper-body strength.
Edge: Pavlich, just. This one is just about dead-even, but in the dying minutes of a game in the balance I’d rather my team kicking to Pavlich in a pack than Riewoldt.
Goalkicking
This is the big one. As good as Nick Riewoldt is with his marking and leading, his kicking boot often lets him down. His kicking for goal has improved of late, but he has a tendency to get the yips, and his technique looks a tad awkward and uncomfortable. A 4.7 performance against Collingwood last year aside, Matthew Pavlich is a terrific kick for goal. He has a fantastic technique with well distributed weight transference, balance, release and connection. He also has the capacity to kick 60m goals, Riewoldt’s max is not that much more than 50m.
Edge: Pavlich, by a fair way. Better technique, better record, better goalkicker.
Intangibles
Intangibles include work ethic, leadership, work around the ground, one percenters, etc. No one has ever questioned Nick Riewoldt’s desire. He seemingly works as hard as any other single player. He’s in awesome physical condition as a result of a fine work ethic. He’s an important leader of his team, although I believe Lenny Hayes to be the true heart of St. Kilda. Matthew Pavlich also seems to benefit from discipline and hard work. He’s just about the finest athlete in the league, and that requires a lot of work. Whereas Nick Riewoldt possesses unreal courage, Pavlich has a greater sense of toughness. You wouldn’t want to back into a pack headed by Matthew Pavlich. Pavlich seems to be a natural leader as well. Perhaps the main difference between the two is confidence. Pavlich obviously has an abundance of this. On the field he appears almost arrogant, constantly taking players on and looking to crack sculls… this is a good thing. Riewoldt on the other hand doesn’t really show enough fire. He doesn’t have that presence. In the clutch Pavlich comes through, and Riewoldt doesn’t consistently.
FINAL VERDICT
Pavlich. With Riewoldt you’re getting a superstar of supreme speed, fitness, courage and work ethic who can run all day and bag 55 goals for you. With Pavlich you’re getting a superstar of supreme strength, marking ability, goalkicking and confidence. What separates the two for me is that sense of confidence. Riewoldt doesn’t always kick the goals that a champion needs to kick – 9 times out of 10 Pavlich will, and for that reason I consider Pavlich the superior player. Ultimately though this becomes moot, as Jonathan Brown makes both look like Zach Dawson.
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